The premium, English-language international schools market continues to expand across the Middle East, showing no signs of slowing down despite challenging economic conditions, according to new research.
According to the latest data from ISC Research, released ahead of the IPSEF Middle East Forum in Dubai, the number of international schools in the region has grown from 1,159 in 2013 to 1,593 in 2018.
It showed that the UAE led all countries in the Middle East, boasting 624 international schools, up from 596 last year, followed by Saudi Arabia with 257.
The figures also showed that more than 1.5 million students are attending international schools in the region, each paying an average of $7,658 annually for their education.
“The growth of the international schools’ market in the Middle East further confirms the role education plays in the development agenda of governments in the region. A number of initiatives have been set in place to enable private companies to establish local branches or independently set-up international schools and help support the growth of the education sector as a whole in this part of the world,” said Rhona Greenhill, co-founder, IPSEF.
“Most of the demand for international schools in the Middle East is currently focused on the mid-price international schools that are affordable to the majority of professional expatriates and more affluent local families,” added ISC Research schools director, Richard Gaskell.
“The market in the Middle East, particularly in the UAE, continues to expand. ISC Research is aware of 17 new international schools opening for the 2018-2019 academic year in the United Arab Emirates, 13 of which are located in Dubai.”
As the international schools’ sector continues to grow, competition is expected to get tougher, he added.
The Dubai edition of IPSEF will be held on September 21-23 at the KHDA headquarters in Dubai International Academic City.
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