School-age population (pre-primary level) in United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates: School-age population (pre-primary level) was 247,261 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
247,261
Change on year
down 4.4%
World rank
39th
of 72 countries
All-time high
258,734
in 2024
All-time low
11,224
in 1970
Years of data
56
1970–2025
School-age population in United Arab Emirates, 1970–2025
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
In 2025, school-age population in United Arab Emirates stood at 247,261.
The figure is down 4.4% on the previous year and up 32.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, school-age population in United Arab Emirates peaked at 258,734 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 11,224, in 1970.
That places United Arab Emirates 39th out of 72 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 (pre-primary level) in United Arab Emirates, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 11,224 | — |
| 1971 | 11,822 | +5.3% |
| 1972 | 12,705 | +7.5% |
| 1973 | 15,673 | +23.4% |
| 1974 | 19,229 | +22.7% |
| 1975 | 21,566 | +12.2% |
| 1976 | 23,276 | +7.9% |
| 1977 | 26,032 | +11.8% |
| 1978 | 29,857 | +14.7% |
| 1979 | 34,592 | +15.9% |
| 1980 | 40,044 | +15.8% |
| 1981 | 46,113 | +15.2% |
| 1982 | 50,645 | +9.8% |
| 1983 | 55,798 | +10.2% |
| 1984 | 61,097 | +9.5% |
| 1985 | 66,070 | +8.1% |
| 1986 | 70,506 | +6.7% |
| 1987 | 73,244 | +3.9% |
| 1988 | 76,038 | +3.8% |
| 1989 | 78,669 | +3.5% |
| 1990 | 80,837 | +2.8% |
| 1991 | 83,786 | +3.6% |
| 1992 | 86,123 | +2.8% |
| 1993 | 87,104 | +1.1% |
| 1994 | 87,769 | +0.8% |
| 1995 | 88,066 | +0.3% |
| 1996 | 87,906 | -0.2% |
| 1997 | 87,278 | -0.7% |
| 1998 | 87,274 | -0.0% |
| 1999 | 88,632 | +1.6% |
| 2000 | 68,856 | -22.3% |
| 2001 | 68,856 | +0.0% |
| 2002 | 73,081 | +6.1% |
| 2003 | 76,959 | +5.3% |
| 2004 | 83,401 | +8.4% |
| 2005 | 91,098 | +9.2% |
| 2006 | 103,278 | +13.4% |
| 2007 | 113,925 | +10.3% |
| 2008 | 128,163 | +12.5% |
| 2009 | 144,094 | +12.4% |
| 2010 | 150,970 | +4.8% |
| 2011 | 156,316 | +3.5% |
| 2012 | 164,328 | +5.1% |
| 2013 | 170,824 | +4.0% |
| 2014 | 176,658 | +3.4% |
| 2015 | 186,867 | +5.8% |
| 2016 | 197,081 | +5.5% |
| 2017 | 228,256 | +15.8% |
| 2018 | 232,901 | +2.0% |
| 2019 | 234,205 | +0.6% |
| 2020 | 237,597 | +1.4% |
| 2021 | 231,834 | -2.4% |
| 2022 | 241,797 | +4.3% |
| 2023 | 250,051 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | 258,734 | +3.5% |
| 2025 | 247,261 | -4.4% |
United Arab Emirates compared with similar countries
- United Arab Emirates's 247,261 is above the median for high income countries, which is 182,828, 1.4× the median. (42 countries reporting)
- United Arab Emirates's 247,261 is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 417,816, 59% of the median. (19 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 20,598 | 11,224 | 34,592 | 10 |
| 1980s | 61,822 | 40,044 | 78,669 | 10 |
| 1990s | 86,478 | 80,837 | 88,632 | 10 |
| 2000s | 95,171 | 68,856 | 144,094 | 10 |
| 2010s | 189,841 | 150,970 | 234,205 | 10 |
| 2020s | 244,546 | 231,834 | 258,734 | 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 247,261 in 2025, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest school-age population recorded in United Arab Emirates?
- The highest recorded value was 258,734 in 2024.
- What is the lowest school-age population recorded in United Arab Emirates?
- The lowest recorded value was 11,224 in 1970.
- How does United Arab Emirates rank for school-age population?
- United Arab Emirates ranks 39th 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 32.3%. 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 (pre-primary level). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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