School age population, last grade of primary education, both sexes in United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates: School age population, last grade of primary education, both sexes was 126,142 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
126,142
Change on year
down 11.1%
World rank
103rd
of 222 countries
All-time high
141,897
in 2024
All-time low
4,405
in 1970
Years of data
56
1970–2025
School age population, last grade of primary education, both sexes in United Arab Emirates, 1970–2025
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
United Arab Emirates recorded 126,142 for school age population, last grade of primary education, both sexes in 2025.
The figure is down 11.1% on the previous year and up 28.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, school age population, last grade of primary education, both sexes in United Arab Emirates peaked at 141,897 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 4,405, in 1970.
That places United Arab Emirates 103rd out of 222 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
School age population, last grade of primary education, both sexes in United Arab Emirates, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 4,405 | — |
| 1971 | 4,920 | +11.7% |
| 1972 | 5,322 | +8.2% |
| 1973 | 5,724 | +7.6% |
| 1974 | 6,173 | +7.8% |
| 1975 | 6,718 | +8.8% |
| 1976 | 7,452 | +10.9% |
| 1977 | 8,422 | +13.0% |
| 1978 | 9,446 | +12.2% |
| 1979 | 10,512 | +11.3% |
| 1980 | 11,701 | +11.3% |
| 1981 | 13,172 | +12.6% |
| 1982 | 14,456 | +9.7% |
| 1983 | 15,700 | +8.6% |
| 1984 | 17,047 | +8.6% |
| 1985 | 18,678 | +9.6% |
| 1986 | 20,839 | +11.6% |
| 1987 | 24,621 | +18.1% |
| 1988 | 27,555 | +11.9% |
| 1989 | 29,581 | +7.4% |
| 1990 | 31,040 | +4.9% |
| 1991 | 32,370 | +4.3% |
| 1992 | 34,011 | +5.1% |
| 1993 | 36,188 | +6.4% |
| 1994 | 38,389 | +6.1% |
| 1995 | 40,365 | +5.1% |
| 1996 | 42,148 | +4.4% |
| 1997 | 45,961 | +9.0% |
| 1998 | 47,880 | +4.2% |
| 1999 | 47,769 | -0.2% |
| 2000 | 37,841 | -20.8% |
| 2001 | 37,841 | +0.0% |
| 2002 | 39,532 | +4.5% |
| 2003 | 45,228 | +14.4% |
| 2004 | 48,728 | +7.7% |
| 2005 | 52,027 | +6.8% |
| 2006 | 56,388 | +8.4% |
| 2007 | 60,105 | +6.6% |
| 2008 | 67,815 | +12.8% |
| 2009 | 78,697 | +16.0% |
| 2010 | 81,713 | +3.8% |
| 2011 | 83,771 | +2.5% |
| 2012 | 86,890 | +3.7% |
| 2013 | 89,310 | +2.8% |
| 2014 | 93,092 | +4.2% |
| 2015 | 98,183 | +5.5% |
| 2016 | 103,752 | +5.7% |
| 2017 | 117,890 | +13.6% |
| 2018 | 120,987 | +2.6% |
| 2019 | 122,076 | +0.9% |
| 2020 | 124,714 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | 122,683 | -1.6% |
| 2022 | 130,313 | +6.2% |
| 2023 | 135,438 | +3.9% |
| 2024 | 141,897 | +4.8% |
| 2025 | 126,142 | -11.1% |
United Arab Emirates compared with similar countries
- United Arab Emirates's 126,142 is above the median for high income countries, which is 40,366, 3.1× the median. (80 countries reporting)
- United Arab Emirates's 126,142 is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 204,142, 62% of the median. (22 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 6,909 | 4,405 | 10,512 | 10 |
| 1980s | 19,335 | 11,701 | 29,581 | 10 |
| 1990s | 39,612 | 31,040 | 47,880 | 10 |
| 2000s | 52,420 | 37,841 | 78,697 | 10 |
| 2010s | 99,766 | 81,713 | 122,076 | 10 |
| 2020s | 130,198 | 122,683 | 141,897 | 6 |
Countries ranked near United Arab Emirates
More education data for United Arab Emirates
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 106,178 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 305 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 119,159 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 125,307 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 894,302 (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 586,477 (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 5.74 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0534 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is school age population, last grade of primary education, both sexes in United Arab Emirates?
- School age population, last grade of primary education, both sexes in United Arab Emirates was 126,142 in 2025, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest school age population, last grade of primary education, both sexes recorded in United Arab Emirates?
- The highest recorded value was 141,897 in 2024.
- What is the lowest school age population, last grade of primary education, both sexes recorded in United Arab Emirates?
- The lowest recorded value was 4,405 in 1970.
- How does United Arab Emirates rank for school age population, last grade of primary education, both sexes?
- United Arab Emirates ranks 103rd out of 222 countries with data for 2025.
- Is school age population, last grade of primary education, both sexes rising or falling in United Arab Emirates?
- Over the last ten years it is up 28.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Arab Emirates data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of School age population, last grade of primary education, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release