School-age population (lower secondary level) in United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates: School-age population (lower secondary level) was 485,039 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
School-age population in United Arab Emirates, 1970–2025
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
The most recent figure for school-age population in United Arab Emirates is 485,039, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 56 years on record.
That represents a change of up 0.3% on the previous year and up 48.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, school-age population in United Arab Emirates peaked at 485,039 in 2025 and was at its lowest, 14,112, in 1970.
United Arab Emirates ranks 31st of 72 countries on this measure, 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 (lower secondary level) in United Arab Emirates, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 14,112 | — |
| 1971 | 15,904 | +12.7% |
| 1972 | 17,012 | +7.0% |
| 1973 | 17,738 | +4.3% |
| 1974 | 18,371 | +3.6% |
| 1975 | 19,156 | +4.3% |
| 1976 | 20,274 | +5.8% |
| 1977 | 23,489 | +15.9% |
| 1978 | 25,512 | +8.6% |
| 1979 | 27,459 | +7.6% |
| 1980 | 29,944 | +9.0% |
| 1981 | 33,252 | +11.0% |
| 1982 | 37,650 | +13.2% |
| 1983 | 40,862 | +8.5% |
| 1984 | 43,719 | +7.0% |
| 1985 | 46,877 | +7.2% |
| 1986 | 51,160 | +9.1% |
| 1987 | 64,105 | +25.3% |
| 1988 | 74,254 | +15.8% |
| 1989 | 81,914 | +10.3% |
| 1990 | 87,300 | +6.6% |
| 1991 | 90,954 | +4.2% |
| 1992 | 93,830 | +3.2% |
| 1993 | 97,197 | +3.6% |
| 1994 | 102,123 | +5.1% |
| 1995 | 108,572 | +6.3% |
| 1996 | 116,387 | +7.2% |
| 1997 | 136,884 | +17.6% |
| 1998 | 149,149 | +9.0% |
| 1999 | 155,230 | +4.1% |
| 2000 | 97,371 | -37.3% |
| 2001 | 97,371 | +0.0% |
| 2002 | 101,785 | +4.5% |
| 2003 | 152,433 | +49.8% |
| 2004 | 164,510 | +7.9% |
| 2005 | 175,746 | +6.8% |
| 2006 | 188,817 | +7.4% |
| 2007 | 200,073 | +6.0% |
| 2008 | 225,596 | +12.8% |
| 2009 | 262,515 | +16.4% |
| 2010 | 272,678 | +3.9% |
| 2011 | 278,833 | +2.3% |
| 2012 | 289,170 | +3.7% |
| 2013 | 297,805 | +3.0% |
| 2014 | 310,267 | +4.2% |
| 2015 | 326,591 | +5.3% |
| 2016 | 344,556 | +5.5% |
| 2017 | 399,485 | +15.9% |
| 2018 | 409,616 | +2.5% |
| 2019 | 414,203 | +1.1% |
| 2020 | 449,576 | +8.5% |
| 2021 | 436,011 | -3.0% |
| 2022 | 447,314 | +2.6% |
| 2023 | 467,310 | +4.5% |
| 2024 | 483,562 | +3.5% |
| 2025 | 485,039 | +0.3% |
United Arab Emirates compared with similar countries
- United Arab Emirates's 485,039 is above the median for high income countries, which is 265,780, 1.8× the median. (42 countries reporting)
- United Arab Emirates's 485,039 is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 665,620, 73% of the median. (19 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where School-age population (lower secondary level) in United Arab Emirates changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | -37.3% | 155,230 | 97,371 |
| 2003 | +49.8% | 101,785 | 152,433 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 19,903 | 14,112 | 27,459 | 10 |
| 1980s | 50,374 | 29,944 | 81,914 | 10 |
| 1990s | 113,763 | 87,300 | 155,230 | 10 |
| 2000s | 166,622 | 97,371 | 262,515 | 10 |
| 2010s | 334,320 | 272,678 | 414,203 | 10 |
| 2020s | 461,469 | 436,011 | 485,039 | 6 |
Countries ranked near United Arab Emirates
More education data for United Arab Emirates
- Gender gap education levels, gaps filled 99.88 (2023)
- Primary enrollment selected countries, gaps filled 100 (2024)
- 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)
Frequently asked questions
- What is school-age population in United Arab Emirates?
- School-age population in United Arab Emirates was 485,039 in 2025, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest school-age population recorded in United Arab Emirates?
- The highest recorded value was 485,039 in 2025.
- What is the lowest school-age population recorded in United Arab Emirates?
- The lowest recorded value was 14,112 in 1970.
- How does United Arab Emirates rank for school-age population?
- United Arab Emirates ranks 31st out of 72 countries with data for 2025.
- Is school-age population rising or falling in United Arab Emirates?
- Over the last ten years it is up 48.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Arab Emirates data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of School-age population (lower secondary level). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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