UAE Leads GCC in Early Education With 82% Enrolment

The UAE has emerged as the Gulf Cooperation Council’s leading country for early childhood education, with pre-primary enrolment reaching approximately 82%, according to a new report by global consultancy Arthur D. Little. Published in October 2026, the study identifies the Emirates as the GCC country closest to achieving near-universal participation in early education. It also estimates that GCC countries will need approximately 11,600 additional kindergartens and 116,000 educators by 2035 to meet growing educational needs and achieve a 95% kindergarten enrolment target.

The findings highlight the UAE’s progress in providing access to early learning while identifying nursery education, particularly for younger children, as an important area for further development.

UAE Leads Gulf Countries in Pre-Primary School Enrolment

The latest findings come from Arthur D. Little’s report, From Cradle to Classroom: Why Early Childhood Education Is a High-Return Opportunity and How GCC Countries Can Seize It, which examines access to early learning and childcare across the Gulf region.

According to the study, the UAE’s pre-primary enrolment rate of 82% is the highest in the GCC, placing it ahead of other regional education markets. The country’s comparatively strong kindergarten participation provides an established foundation for expanding access to early learning experiences.

However, the report emphasises that increasing enrolment alone is not enough. Maintaining high-quality teaching, improving learning environments and extending educational opportunities to children below kindergarten age will be essential to supporting long-term development.

Amr Kazimi, Principal at Arthur D. Little, highlighted the UAE’s established position in early childhood participation, noting that future progress should focus on strengthening educational quality and expanding services into children’s earliest years.

GCC Needs 11,600 New Kindergartens and 116,000 Educators by 2035

The report identifies a substantial need for early childhood education infrastructure across the GCC, where approximately 2.6 million children are between the ages of three and five.

To reach a regional kindergarten enrolment rate of 95% by 2035, Arthur D. Little estimates that Gulf countries would need to establish 11,600 additional kindergartens and recruit approximately 116,000 educators.

Significantly, the analysis suggests that 94% of the required kindergarten expansion relates to existing gaps in access and capacity, rather than future population growth. This indicates that much of the infrastructure demand is already present and requires attention from education providers and policymakers.

Saudi Arabia is expected to account for approximately three-quarters of the additional kindergarten capacity required under the report’s scenario. Other GCC countries face different challenges, ranging from insufficient classroom capacity to the need for broader participation among younger children.

Expanding Nursery Education Is the UAE’s Next Opportunity

While the UAE has achieved comparatively high participation in kindergarten education, the study identifies nursery provision for younger children as a major opportunity for further growth.

Early childhood education extends beyond the years immediately preceding primary school. It also includes the formative stages when children develop essential communication, social, emotional and cognitive skills.

The report highlights the importance of providing appropriate learning and care throughout the early childhood journey, beginning with the first 1,000 days of life and continuing through the transition into primary education.

GCC Could Require 40,000 Early Childhood Institutions

Under a broader scenario targeting 40% enrolment among nursery-age children, Arthur D. Little estimates that the GCC could require approximately 40,000 early childhood institutions, including kindergartens and nurseries, and 224,000 educators.

These figures represent an expanded scenario covering both nursery and kindergarten provision, rather than an additional requirement on top of the original kindergarten estimates.

The analysis suggests that extending structured early childhood services could create opportunities for education providers while supporting families seeking reliable, high-quality childcare and learning environments.

Early Childhood Education Supports Workforce Participation

Arthur D. Little argues that investing in early childhood education can generate benefits extending beyond children’s academic preparation.

Accessible childcare and nursery services can help parents, particularly women, enter employment or remain in the workforce. At the same time, high-quality early learning programmes can strengthen children’s foundational skills and contribute to the development of future generations.

Yigit Saf, Partner at Arthur D. Little, described early childhood education as an important component of economic infrastructure, highlighting its potential to support workforce participation and long-term human capital development.

For GCC economies pursuing diversification and workforce development, the report suggests that education in the earliest years should be considered alongside broader economic and social priorities.

Teacher Shortages and Education Quality Remain Challenges

Despite the opportunities identified, expanding early childhood education will require more than constructing new facilities.

The report highlights educator shortages, regulatory standards and parental involvement as major challenges facing the sector. Maintaining appropriate child-to-teacher ratios, investing in professional training and delivering age-appropriate learning experiences will be essential as participation increases.

It also recommends stronger coordination between education, healthcare and labour policies to support children’s development from infancy through their early school years.

Artificial intelligence and digital learning tools could assist educators with administrative responsibilities and learning support, although the report stresses the importance of appropriate safeguards and maintaining meaningful human interaction during early childhood.

UAE Positioned to Strengthen Its Early Education Sector

The UAE’s 82% pre-primary enrolment rate reflects its comparatively advanced position in early childhood education across the GCC. However, the findings also demonstrate that further progress will depend on expanding nursery access, developing qualified educators and improving the quality of early learning services.

As Gulf countries prepare to address significant kindergarten and nursery capacity requirements by 2035, the UAE has an opportunity to build on its current participation levels and strengthen educational provision for younger children.

The full findings are available in Arthur D. Little’s official report, From Cradle to Classroom, which examines the region’s early childhood education needs and opportunities for long-term development.