School-age population (upper secondary level) in United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates: School-age population (upper secondary level) was 389,078 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
School-age population in United Arab Emirates, 1970–2025
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
United Arab Emirates recorded 389,078 for school-age population in 2025.
The figure is down 0.8% on the previous year and up 93.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, school-age population in United Arab Emirates peaked at 392,091 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 17,249, in 1970.
United Arab Emirates ranks 28th 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 (upper secondary level) in United Arab Emirates, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 17,249 | — |
| 1971 | 20,322 | +17.8% |
| 1972 | 22,259 | +9.5% |
| 1973 | 23,069 | +3.6% |
| 1974 | 23,011 | -0.3% |
| 1975 | 22,541 | -2.0% |
| 1976 | 22,007 | -2.4% |
| 1977 | 27,826 | +26.4% |
| 1978 | 30,777 | +10.6% |
| 1979 | 31,309 | +1.7% |
| 1980 | 30,606 | -2.2% |
| 1981 | 30,143 | -1.5% |
| 1982 | 34,937 | +15.9% |
| 1983 | 38,601 | +10.5% |
| 1984 | 40,806 | +5.7% |
| 1985 | 41,887 | +2.6% |
| 1986 | 43,089 | +2.9% |
| 1987 | 58,158 | +35.0% |
| 1988 | 70,813 | +21.8% |
| 1989 | 80,345 | +13.5% |
| 1990 | 87,021 | +8.3% |
| 1991 | 91,283 | +4.9% |
| 1992 | 93,492 | +2.4% |
| 1993 | 94,127 | +0.7% |
| 1994 | 94,042 | -0.1% |
| 1995 | 94,442 | +0.4% |
| 1996 | 97,819 | +3.6% |
| 1997 | 128,943 | +31.8% |
| 1998 | 155,055 | +20.3% |
| 1999 | 172,996 | +11.6% |
| 2000 | 78,129 | -54.8% |
| 2001 | 78,129 | +0.0% |
| 2002 | 82,766 | +5.9% |
| 2003 | 88,652 | +7.1% |
| 2004 | 95,672 | +7.9% |
| 2005 | 103,628 | +8.3% |
| 2006 | 109,505 | +5.7% |
| 2007 | 118,610 | +8.3% |
| 2008 | 136,898 | +15.4% |
| 2009 | 159,405 | +16.4% |
| 2010 | 166,135 | +4.2% |
| 2011 | 170,470 | +2.6% |
| 2012 | 176,558 | +3.6% |
| 2013 | 185,436 | +5.0% |
| 2014 | 191,964 | +3.5% |
| 2015 | 201,489 | +5.0% |
| 2016 | 214,167 | +6.3% |
| 2017 | 250,933 | +17.2% |
| 2018 | 256,089 | +2.1% |
| 2019 | 261,222 | +2.0% |
| 2020 | 360,146 | +37.9% |
| 2021 | 349,185 | -3.0% |
| 2022 | 358,740 | +2.7% |
| 2023 | 376,558 | +5.0% |
| 2024 | 392,091 | +4.1% |
| 2025 | 389,078 | -0.8% |
United Arab Emirates compared with similar countries
- United Arab Emirates's 389,078 is above the median for high income countries, which is 213,540, 1.8× the median. (42 countries reporting)
- United Arab Emirates's 389,078 is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 412,353, 94% of the median. (19 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where School-age population (upper 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 | -54.8% | 172,996 | 78,129 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 24,037 | 17,249 | 31,309 | 10 |
| 1980s | 46,938 | 30,143 | 80,345 | 10 |
| 1990s | 110,922 | 87,021 | 172,996 | 10 |
| 2000s | 105,139 | 78,129 | 159,405 | 10 |
| 2010s | 207,446 | 166,135 | 261,222 | 10 |
| 2020s | 370,966 | 349,185 | 392,091 | 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 389,078 in 2025, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest school-age population recorded in United Arab Emirates?
- The highest recorded value was 392,091 in 2024.
- What is the lowest school-age population recorded in United Arab Emirates?
- The lowest recorded value was 17,249 in 1970.
- How does United Arab Emirates rank for school-age population?
- United Arab Emirates ranks 28th 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 93.1%. 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 (upper secondary level). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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