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Strong Growth, Strategic Pressure Despite these headwinds, investor sentiment remains upbeat. Alpen Capital forecasts a 2.1% annual growth rate in student enrolments between 2024 and 2029, with private K–12 schools growing slightly faster at 2.3% per year. Saudi Arabia will remain the region’s largest education market, while Oman, Bahrain, and the UAE are projected to see the fastest enrolment growth rates, each exceeding 2% annually. "The GCC’s education sector offers a resilient long-term growth story, driven by robust fundamentals and rising demand," says Hameed Noor Mohamed, Managing Director at Alpen Capital (ME) Limited. "But providers must address cost pressures and workforce gaps to sustain quality and returns." The Road Ahead Bridging the Gap With 1.5 million additional students entering classrooms by 2029, the region’s education ecosystem faces a dual challenge scaling its physical footprint while strengthening its human capital. Bridging the gap will require Accelerated recruitment and training programmes to build a sustainable teacher pipeline.
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Incentives and long-term residency options to attract international teaching talent. Investment in EdTech and hybrid models to alleviate staffing pressures. Balanced growth strategies that keep affordability and accessibility in focus.
The GCC’s education boom is undeniable. But unless the teacher workforce grows in tandem, the region risks undermining the very quality and outcomes that fuel its appeal.
READ THE FULL GCC EDUCATION REPORT BY ALPEN CAPITAL
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