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The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have been placing increasing importance on early
childhood education (ECE) as a foundation for long-term academic and societal outcomes.
Consequently, the gross enrolment ratio (GER) in the region’s pre-primary segment reached 42.3% in
2023, a substantial improvement from 31.6% in 2018. This highlights a clear shift in the region’s
attitude toward investing in kindergartens, nurseries and early learning programs through policy
reforms and greater private sector engagement. Going forward, Alpen Capital forecasts the pre-
primary segment to witness the fastest growth at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.7%
between 2024 and 2029.
Government-Led Initiatives to Prioritize Early Learning
National plans across the region enshrine early childhood development as a strategic priority. Under
Vision 2031, the UAE aims to deliver the “Best First 5 Years of Education” in the GCC. Leading this
effort is the Federal Authority for Early Childhood Education, responsible for formulating national
plans, licensing, as well as overseeing both public and private nurseries. Owing to such focused
efforts, UAE’s pre-primary education segment achieved a GER of 96.7% in 2023, setting a regional
benchmark for commitment to early childhood development. In Dubai alone, enrolments at private
early childhood centres continue to rise, with a 16% increase in enrolment during the 2023-24
academic year.
Saudi Arabia has shown a similar dedication to developing its pre-primary education segment. In
alignment with Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education aims to significantly boost
kindergarten enrolment through major initiatives including expanding kindergarten facilities and
ensuring equitable access to services across all regions of the Kingdom. As per Alpen Capital, the
GER of the country’s pre-primary segment is expected to rise to 32.5% in 2029 from 30.7% in 2024.
In parallel, Qatar’s 2024–2030 strategy titled “Igniting the Spark of Learning” led by the Ministry of
Education and Higher Education targets to double the current pre-primary enrolment rate of 44% by
2030. More specifically, its “Sunrise” program aims to expand access to high-quality nurseries and
kindergartens, enhance the educational environment, and increase family awareness of the
significance of early education.
Collaborative Efforts to make Early Learning Inclusive
Alongside national initiatives, regional and international partnerships are playing a crucial role in
promoting inclusive ECE across the GCC. The Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND)
and UNICEF, who have a four-decade partnership, signed two new agreements to continue
enhancing early childhood development across the GCC region. The initiative, “Enhancing Inclusion
and Support for Children with Disabilities in the Early Years in the GCC and the Middle East” seeks to
improve access to quality early childhood education and care for children with disabilities, ensuring
access to necessary support for their development and well-being. This reinforces the region’s
broader commitment to equitable access to ECE and underscores the importance of inclusive
learning environments for all children.
Opportunities for Private Sector Engagement
The GCC’s focus on early childhood education reflects a strategic shift toward long-term human
capital development. The combination of government support, increasing parental awareness and
favourable demographics are positioning the pre-primary education segment as a promising
investment opportunity for private players. Private school operators are expanding their early years
programs, offering multiple languages of instruction to cater to higher demand and a more
competitive, globally aligned early education market. By embedding quality early learning within the
respective national visions of the GCC countries and encouraging private sector collaboration,
regional governments are laying a strong foundation for building an innovative and skilled workforce
to meet the labour demands of the future.
