Number of students in higher education triples across the Arab States, but graduate employability remains a challenge

A new UNESCO report reveals that enrolment in higher education across the Arab States has nearly tripled in 25 years to almost 15 million students with strong participation of women and growing international student mobility. But access remains uneven, and graduates struggle to find work: youth unemployment stands at 26% across the region, roughly twice the global average.

UNESCO’s new report provides the first comprehensive review of higher education systems and policies across 19 Arab States and identifies key priorities for the future, building on UNESCO’s 2026 Higher Education Global Trends Report. It will be launched at the first session of the Committee of the UNESCO Revised Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in the Arab States (Arab States Convention) taking place on 4 November 2026 in Doha, Qatar.

UNESCO welcomes the remarkable expansion of higher education across the Arab States in recent decades. Our shared priority now is to ensure that this progress translates into greater opportunities for students and societies. The revised Arab States Convention offers an important framework for strengthening cooperation, facilitating the recognition of qualifications and supporting a more connected regional higher education space.

Qun ChenUNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education

Enrolment in higher education across the Arab States has nearly tripled in 25 years, reaching almost 15 million students. Despite this growth, the enrollment rate (37% in 2024) remains below the global average (44%), with considerable differences across countries.

The new report shows that women have enrolled and graduated from higher education at higher rates than men since 2007. The region also stands out for its high proportion of graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, which account for 28% of graduates compared with 23% globally. Women represent nearly half of all STEM graduates in the region, compared with just over a third worldwide.

Higher education pathways remain heavily concentrated in Bachelor’s degree programmes, with 81% of students enrolled at this level. Only 7% of students in the Arab States are enrolled in shorter higher education programmes, including technical and professional diplomas, compared with 19% globally. Expanding these programmes could help diversify learning opportunities and strengthen connections between higher education and the world of work, as graduates face difficulties in accessing employment.

The Arab States are becoming increasingly important destinations for students, hosting nearly 600,000 of the world’s 7.3 million international students. Both inbound and outbound student mobility rates, at 4.2% and 4.7% respectively, exceed the global average of 2.7%.

Students from the region are also increasingly choosing to study within the Arab States, with the United Arab Emirates and Egypt emerging as major regional education hubs.

These developments provide new momentum for regional cooperation. The entry into force of the revised UNESCO Arab States Convention in April 2026 paved the way for the first session of the Regional Committee, creates opportunities to facilitate the recognition of qualifications across borders, foster academic mobility and support stronger connections between higher education systems.

International cooperation also offers opportunities to strengthen academic research. Between 2010 and 2024, scholarly publication output from the Arab States increased by 576% far outpacing growth in Europe, North America, China and India. Stronger research partnerships and joint programmes could help build on this progress and further enhance research quality and impact.

Sustaining the expansion of higher education will require continued investment. Government expenditure on higher education stands at a regional median of 0.8% of GDP – in line with the global median – although funding levels vary considerably between countries.

In the Arab States, there are on average 25 students per member of academic staff, compared with 18 globally. Strengthening teaching capacity and professional development will be important to maintain quality as higher education continues to expand.

Digital transformation presents new opportunities for teaching, learning and innovation. More than 70% of Arab States have incorporated digitalization objectives into their national higher education plans.

However, advances in AI are moving faster than institutional policies and quality assurance frameworks. Globally, in 2025, only 1 in 5 universities had a formal AI policy, underscoring the need for stronger governance and guidance on the responsible use of emerging technologies.

While national quality assurance systems have expanded, greater institutional autonomy and a stronger focus on continuous quality improvement also remain important priorities.

Drawing on its findings, the report puts forward ten interconnected recommendations to guide future action, including widening access through more diverse learning pathways, strengthening student support and graduate employment prospects, investing in academic and research capacity, advancing responsible digital transformation and deepening regional cooperation.

These priorities reflect UNESCO’s continued commitment to supporting Arab States in building inclusive, quality-driven and future-ready higher education systems. The revised Arab States Convention is a key part of that effort, providing a framework for greater recognition of qualifications, academic mobility and the exchange of knowledge and good practices across the region.