By Joseph George
The higher education sector in the region is projected to grow at a 10–13% CAGR, driven by rising tertiary participation, strong inbound student mobility and government-led diversification strategies linking education with workforce localisation
Dubai, Jan 30, 2026: Thanks to policy reforms, substantial infrastructure investments and evolving demographic trends, the higher education landscape is undergoing unprecedented transformation across the GCC.
While foreign universities are establishing a stronger presence across the region, governments are increasing investment to strengthen and enhance public and higher education programmes in the region.
Several policy initiatives have laid a strong emphasis on education as a cornerstone for economic diversification, transitioning to knowledge-based economies and enhancing global competitiveness.
Be it the Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to rank at least five universities in the world’s top 200 by 2030, or the UAE’s National Strategy for Higher Education 2030, which aims to build and achieve the highest scientific and professional education standards, the governments across the region are prioritising education as a cornerstone of economic diversification.
