School-age population (primary level) in United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates: School-age population (primary level) was 496,340 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
496,340
Change on year
down 8.6%
World rank
39th
of 72 countries
All-time high
608,865
in 2019
All-time low
28,913
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 496,340.
The figure is down 8.6% on the previous year and down 1.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, school-age population in United Arab Emirates peaked at 608,865 in 2019 and was at its lowest, 28,913, in 1970.
United Arab Emirates ranks 39th 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 (primary level) in United Arab Emirates, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 28,913 | — |
| 1971 | 32,068 | +10.9% |
| 1972 | 35,026 | +9.2% |
| 1973 | 38,319 | +9.4% |
| 1974 | 42,474 | +10.8% |
| 1975 | 48,600 | +14.4% |
| 1976 | 55,759 | +14.7% |
| 1977 | 61,861 | +10.9% |
| 1978 | 68,740 | +11.1% |
| 1979 | 77,132 | +12.2% |
| 1980 | 87,633 | +13.6% |
| 1981 | 100,376 | +14.5% |
| 1982 | 109,378 | +9.0% |
| 1983 | 119,703 | +9.4% |
| 1984 | 132,035 | +10.3% |
| 1985 | 146,535 | +11.0% |
| 1986 | 162,860 | +11.1% |
| 1987 | 178,670 | +9.7% |
| 1988 | 190,881 | +6.8% |
| 1989 | 201,063 | +5.3% |
| 1990 | 210,605 | +4.7% |
| 1991 | 220,256 | +4.6% |
| 1992 | 230,001 | +4.4% |
| 1993 | 240,092 | +4.4% |
| 1994 | 248,604 | +3.5% |
| 1995 | 255,194 | +2.7% |
| 1996 | 260,126 | +1.9% |
| 1997 | 267,751 | +2.9% |
| 1998 | 268,044 | +0.1% |
| 1999 | 264,015 | -1.5% |
| 2000 | 228,085 | -13.6% |
| 2001 | 228,085 | +0.0% |
| 2002 | 240,575 | +5.5% |
| 2003 | 211,812 | -12.0% |
| 2004 | 230,005 | +8.6% |
| 2005 | 248,588 | +8.1% |
| 2006 | 271,630 | +9.3% |
| 2007 | 291,971 | +7.5% |
| 2008 | 334,938 | +14.7% |
| 2009 | 388,523 | +16.0% |
| 2010 | 405,598 | +4.4% |
| 2011 | 419,876 | +3.5% |
| 2012 | 442,686 | +5.4% |
| 2013 | 457,041 | +3.2% |
| 2014 | 472,343 | +3.3% |
| 2015 | 502,246 | +6.3% |
| 2016 | 527,062 | +4.9% |
| 2017 | 594,243 | +12.7% |
| 2018 | 608,455 | +2.4% |
| 2019 | 608,865 | +0.1% |
| 2020 | 492,924 | -19.0% |
| 2021 | 485,357 | -1.5% |
| 2022 | 498,557 | +2.7% |
| 2023 | 521,969 | +4.7% |
| 2024 | 542,811 | +4.0% |
| 2025 | 496,340 | -8.6% |
United Arab Emirates compared with similar countries
- United Arab Emirates's 496,340 is above the median for high income countries, which is 380,422, 1.3× the median. (42 countries reporting)
- United Arab Emirates's 496,340 is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 1.15 million, 43% of the median. (19 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 48,889 | 28,913 | 77,132 | 10 |
| 1980s | 142,913 | 87,633 | 201,063 | 10 |
| 1990s | 246,469 | 210,605 | 268,044 | 10 |
| 2000s | 267,421 | 211,812 | 388,523 | 10 |
| 2010s | 503,842 | 405,598 | 608,865 | 10 |
| 2020s | 506,326 | 485,357 | 542,811 | 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 496,340 in 2025, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest school-age population recorded in United Arab Emirates?
- The highest recorded value was 608,865 in 2019.
- What is the lowest school-age population recorded in United Arab Emirates?
- The lowest recorded value was 28,913 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 down 1.2%. 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 (primary level). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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