Gulf Cooperation Council Statistical Centre: Gulf Youth Excel Globally in Technical Skills

Young people in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have achieved advanced levels in several information and communication technology (ICT) skills, outperforming their global peers, according to a report issued by the Statistical Center of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The Center, in a report released on the occasion of International Youth Day, which falls on August 12, stated that this advanced performance reflects the impact of investments directed by GCC member states toward education and human capacity building, amid growing attention to developing youth skills and preparing them for the future. It noted that investment in education and human capacity development contributes to enhancing youth readiness to keep pace with technological transformations and meet the demands of future labor markets, pointing out that government spending on education in some GCC countries reached approximately 17% in 2024, surpassing the global average of 12.6%. The report emphasized the increasing importance of ICT skills among young people, given the rapid shift toward the digital economy, as these skills provide opportunities for empowerment in the labor market, stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship, support lifelong learning, and play a role in protecting privacy and promoting responsible digital citizenship. Data revealed a clear advantage for Gulf youth in several digital skills, with their proficiency in social media communication skills reaching approximately 95.2%, compared to 68% globally. The proportion of young people possessing skills to manage privacy settings stood at 75.9%, compared to 34% globally. In the area of information verification, youth in the GCC recorded a rate of 61.6%, compared to 24% worldwide. Programming skills also showed a notable gap, with the rate among Gulf youth reaching 31.8%, compared to just 6% globally, reflecting significant progress in acquiring both basic and advanced digital skills.