Education across the Gulf Cooperation Council is expanding steadily, with new data showing rising student enrolment and a growing number of educational institutions across the region.
The latest statistics highlight sustained investment in human capital and increasing demand for education at every level.
Figures released by the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf show that total school enrolment in GCC countries reached about 9.7 million students during the 2023–2024 academic year. Higher education enrolment surpassed 1.79 million students, while around 993,000 children were registered in early childhood education programmes.
Adult learning also continues to play a role in the region’s education landscape, with more than 120,000 learners participating in adult education programmes.
The data shows near parity between male and female students. Male enrolment stood at roughly 4.9 million students, representing 50.5 percent, while female students accounted for about 4.8 million, or 49.5 percent. The figures point to increasingly balanced access to education across the region.
Teaching capacity has expanded alongside enrolment. The GCC recorded around 836,600 teachers in school education during the same academic year. Of these, approximately 626,800 teachers work in public schools, while about 209,900 are employed in private institutions, reinforcing the strong role of the public sector in supporting the education system.
Educational infrastructure has also grown. The region now hosts 32,743 schools, 10,802 kindergartens, 282 higher education institutions, and 1,013 adult education centres.
Public schools recorded an average of 302 students per school compared with 288 in private schools, reflecting stronger demand for government-run institutions.
Overall, the indicators point to continued efforts by GCC countries to strengthen their education systems and support long-term economic development through knowledge and skills.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
