Young people aged 15 to 34 now number approximately 23.5 million across the GCC countries, accounting for 38.2% of the region's total population, according to data released by the GCC Statistical Centre on the occasion of GCC Youth Day, observed annually on June 6.
Of the total youth population recorded in 2024, 15.1 million were male and 8.4 million were female, reflecting the region's broader demographic profile shaped in part by its expatriate workforce composition.
The GCC is experiencing gradual demographic shifts in line with global trends. The youth share of the total population edged down from 38.9% in 2010 to 38.2% in 2024, while the proportion of those aged 35 and above has risen. Declining fertility rates and rising life expectancy are driving these changes, mirroring patterns seen across the world, where the global youth share fell from 32.8% to 30.3% over the same period.
On the labour market front, employed youth across the GCC reached approximately 14.2 million in 2025, representing 38.1% of the total regional workforce and marking a 5.1% increase from the previous year. Employed GCC national youth stood at around 2.5 million, making up 43.5% of all employed nationals, with year-on-year growth of 3.1%.
A notable indicator of improved youth integration is the decline in the NEET rate, covering those aged 15 to 24 not in education, employment, or training, which fell from 20.1% in 2010 to 15.7% in 2024.
Looking ahead, UN projections estimate the GCC youth population will grow to 28.6 million by 2050, an increase of roughly 26% from current levels, signalling an expanding young demographic that will play a defining role in the region's economic and social future.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
