The International Baccalaureate (IB) is pleased to share its 2025 Impact Report, which showcases how our global community of educators, students and schools continues to advance the IB's mission of delivering high-quality education that helps young people flourish in a changing world.
This year’s report highlights how the IB community has continued to build connections, expand access, and create opportunities for young people to learn, lead, and make a difference. From new partnerships and programmes to student-led initiatives and investments in youth opportunity, the report reflects the IB’s commitment to increasing the reach, relevance and impact of an IB education.
"The IB is holding fast to what is essential in education," said Olli-Pekka Heinonen, Director General of the IB. "That means human connection, curiosity, rigour, care and purpose, while continuing to adapt to the needs of a changing world."
The report outlines the progress that has been made in support of the IB’s mission throughout 2025, including:
- 622 new IB programmes were authorized, raising the global total to 8,844, with 6,123 IB World Schools by the end of 2025.
- 169 newly authorized public/state schools joined the IB community.
- The global programme retention rate reached 98.3% as of Q4 2025.
- More than 2.1 million students were estimated to be enrolled in IB programmes, according to SIS data.
- 327,438 candidates registered for IB exams in 2025, including 117,106 full Diploma Programme (DP) candidates.
- More than 17,000 new IB educators registered, bringing the global total to 262,217.
- The Global Youth Action Fund received 1,096 applications from 103 countries and funded 110 projects across 44 countries, reaching more than 102,000 community members.
- The IB launched its inaugural Youth Advisory Council, following more than 1,400 applications from students across 92 countries.
- The IB acquired Generation Global, expanding opportunities for young people to develop communication skills, critical thinking and global awareness through dialogue and intercultural understanding.
- The IB published its Digital Blueprint and developed its AI Principles with the IB community, setting out a values-led approach to artificial intelligence in education.
- The Systems Transformation pilot, a new transdisciplinary Diploma Programme course, saw 100 students sit formal assessment for the first time, with plans to expand the pilot to approximately 20 schools by 2028 and offer the course worldwide by 2030.
As global access to IB education continues to expand, the report highlights significant developments across regions and education systems. From the authorization of the first IB school in Sierra Leone and continued growth in India, to more than 380 IB World Schools serving an estimated 331,000 students in Canada and the rapid expansion of public IB schools in South Korea, the IB continues to build bridges and create new opportunities for learners around the world.
The report also celebrates the educators, students, schools and communities who bring the IB mission to life every day, demonstrating how education can support human and planetary flourishing and empower young people to act with purpose.
You can read the full report here.
 is pleased to share its 2025 Impact Report, which showcases how our global community of educators, students and schools continues to advance the IB's mission of delivering high-quality education that helps young people flourish in a changing world.){kind=icon}