SAUDI ARABIA EDUCATION SECTOR MARKET

Saudi Arabia Education Sector Market Size & Insights

Saudi Arabia Education Sector Market size if forecast to grow at a CAGR of 7.1% between 2025 and 2032 primarily driven by growing population & urbanization, creasing preference towards private and international schools owing to better quality of education and increase in investment on education by the government to create a knowledge-based economy

Saudi Arabia Education Sector Drivers

Growing Population & Urbanization

The Saudi population reached 35.3 million in 2024, as per SAGIA, the KSA population is projected to grow at annual rate of 2.5%, the growing population is projected to drive total number of K12 students registration in Saudi Arabia which is projected to reach to 8.3 million in 2030 from 6.1 million in 2018. This increase in demand will require an additional 2.2 million seats across the KSA. These factors are expected to lead Saudi Arabia education sector market growth in the forecast period.

Saudi Arabia is highly urbanized country, according to the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, the total KSA population living in urban areas is around 82.1% however only 17.9% of the total population lives in rural areas and the urban population is forecast to grow further owing to government massive transformation plan under 2030. As higher urbanization and education sector are closely related growth in urbanization is forecast to driver education sector in Saudi Arabia.

Increasing preference towards private and International schools owing to better quality of education

The inclination of towards private is on the rise on the KSA owing to the fact that the number of private institute reached a total of over 7337 schools in 2024 an increase of 490 schools over 2023. In 2024. The number of student enrolled in private institutions reached over 1 million students. Under the Vision 2030, the KSA government is also planning to increase contribution of private institutions to achieve an objective to be a knowledge economy. The private schools which offers international curricula saw a surge in enrolment rate across KSA.

In addition, in 2017, government universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia witnessed the highest enrolment numbers. Leading the pack were institutions including King Abdulaziz University, King Faisal University, Umm AI Qura University, and Imam Muhammad Bin Saud Islamic University, attracting a significant number of students pursuing different levels of education, including post-graduation, diploma courses, and bachelor’s degree. In Saudi, private universities offer different courses and subjects to students looking for higher education opportunities across the country raising the Saudi Arabia education sector market size.

Increase in Investment on Education by the Government to Create a Knowledge Based Economy

As the government wants make Saudi economy a Knowledge base economy, the Saudi government has allocated a budget of USD 54.3 billion in 2024, the education sector is the third largest sector in terms of budget allocation comprising of 34.6% of the total Saudi budget to improve the Saudi education system.

The government is promoting investment in education sector, as per the Saudi Invest there were showcasing around 70 investment opportunities. There is also a surge in investment licence for education, KSA education sector received an FDI inflows of USD 50.9 million in 2022 reflecting growing interest of business in KSA education sector

While the education market opens to enable 100% foreign ownership local partnerships remain significant. For instance, collaborating with local entities can facilitate navigating regulations and procedures related to establishment, recruitment, and operations. An example of this is GEMS Education’s acquisition of Saudi Arabia’s largest private sector operator Maarif in 2019, a joint venture with Hassana Investment. GEMS Education is a substantial chain boasting nearly 100 schools globally, with 47 schools located in the MENA region, Hassana Investment as an investment arm of the Saudi Arabian government, partners with GEMS Education. Their collaborative initiative involves investing USD 800 million over the next decade to build upon their educational endeavours. Therefore, the Saudi Arabia education sector market is expected to grow in the forecast period.

Saudi Arabia Education Market Segment Analysis

Educational Level Insights

The KSA education system is divided into primary schools (Grades 1-6), intermediate schools (Grades 7-9), secondary schools (Grades 10-12), higher education, the schools which are public owns provides free education and dominate the Saudi school system but private schools are also getting tractions owing to its quality of education.

Teaching Method

The Saudi education system is dominated by the offline teaching method but the online education methods is getting good traction owing to its accessible, more engaging and effective mode of delivery.

Saudi Arabia Education Market Major Players & Competitive Landscape

Several leading players in the market include British International School of Jeddah, GEMS Education, Maarif For Education and Training, Kingdom Schools, International Schools Group, American International School, Al Faris International School, ATAA Education Company, National Company For Learning And Education etc.

Saudi Arabia Education Market News

• • In 2025, Buckswood School Riyadh has officially opened in the Al-Izdihar district, the school offers British curriculum for students in KG1-3 and Grades 1-3, with plans to expand to Grade 12.
  • In 2024, National Company for Learning and Education (NCLE) opened to educational campuses Tarbya Namouthajiyah International Schools and Al-Ghad National Schools in Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia Education Market Scope of the Report

Saudi Arabia Education Market Report Segmentation

The Saudi Arabia Education Market has been segmented on the basis of Educational Level, and Teaching Method. Based on Educational Level, the market is segmented into Pre-K, K12, Higher Education and Vocational Education & Training. Based on Method, the market is segmented into Offline Classes and Online Learning Platforms.

Saudi Arabia Education Sector Market by Educational Level

• • Pre-K
  • K-12
  • Higher Education
  • Vocational Education & Training

Saudi Arabia Education Sector Market by Teaching Method

• • Offline Classes
  • Online Learning Platforms

Saudi Arabia Education Sector Market Leading players

• • British International School of Jeddah
  • GEMS Education
  • Maarif For Education and Training
  • Kingdom Schools
  • International Schools Group
  • American International School
  • Al Faris International School
  • ATAA Education Company
  • National Company for Learning and Education