United Arab Emirates Secondary Enrollment
School enrollment, secondary (% gross) SE.SEC.ENRR
United Arab Emirates's secondary enrollment was 103.17% in 2025, ranked 50th globally. This represents a 1.0% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2018–2025.
Overview
United Arab Emirates's secondary enrollment stood at 103.17% in 2025, a rise of +1.04pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 103.17% by 2025. United Arab Emirates ranked 50th globally.
The United Arab Emirates recorded a secondary‑school enrollment rate of 103.17 % in 2025, ranking it 50th worldwide, and the figure has risen modestly from 102.18 % in 2018. The series peaked at 103.21 % in 2021, following a brief dip to an all‑time low of 99.16 % in 2020, suggesting that the pandemic‑related disruption was quickly overcome. Compared with peers of similar rank, the UAE’s enrollment sits just below Colombia’s 103.38 % and Barbados’s 103.51 %, while exceeding Switzerland’s 102.44 % and Dominica’s 102.51 %. The upward trajectory reflects sustained investment in education infrastructure and policies aimed at universal secondary schooling, yet the narrow margin above 100 % indicates that some students are counted multiple times due to age‑grade repetition. Continued emphasis on retention strategies and alignment of curricula with labor‑market needs will be critical to maintain the positive trend and push the rate further beyond the current ceiling.
Data & projection
| Year | Secondary Enrollment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 104.10% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 103.63% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 103.17% | - | - |
| 2025 | 103.17% | +1.04pp | #50 |
| 2024 | 102.13% | +0.18pp | #11 |
| 2023 | 101.94% | −0.44pp | #49 |
| 2022 | 102.38% | −0.83pp | #52 |
| 2021 | 103.21% | +4.05pp | #42 |
| 2020 | 99.16% | −2.58pp | #63 |
| 2019 | 101.75% | −0.44pp | #52 |
| 2018 | 102.18% | – | #50 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
United Arab Emirates matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw secondary enrollment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
United Arab Emirates's secondary enrollment was 103.17% in 2025. Ranked 50th globally. This represents a 1.0% increase from the previous year.
United Arab Emirates's secondary enrollment peaked at 103.21% in 2021.
The lowest secondary enrollment in United Arab Emirates was 99.16% in 2020.
United Arab Emirates ranks 50th globally in secondary enrollment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.SEC.ENRR. Data sourced from World Bank.
United Arab Emirates's secondary enrollment is projected to reach 103.17% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The secondary enrollment of United Arab Emirates in 2025 was 103.17%. This ranks 50th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-arab-emirates_secondary-enrollment,
title = {United Arab Emirates Secondary Enrollment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-arab-emirates/secondary-enrollment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}