GCC E-Learning Market Research Report

GCC E-Learning Market:

The GCC e-learning market size reached USD 6.8 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 24.2 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 14.42% during 2025-2033. The rising popularity of flexible learning solutions that offer interactive environments for instructors and learners is primarily driving the market.

GCC E-Learning Market Analysis:

• Major Market Drivers: The increasing internet connectivity, along with the widespread penetration of IoT-based smart devices, is fueling the market. Moreover, the launch of favorable policies by government bodies to develop enhanced educational facilities is also acting as another significant growth-inducing factor.
• Key Market Trends: The emerging trend of using advanced learning software is positively influencing the overall market across the GCC region. Besides this, the escalating demand for smart learning techniques in virtual classrooms is further strengthening the market.
• Competitive Landscape: Some of the key players in the market include Administrate Limited, Capital Knowledge, Capytech FZ LLC, Coursera Inc., Docebo Inc., Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, John Wiley & Sons Inc., Open Text Corporation, Pearson Plc, Webanywhere, and XpertLearning, among many others.
• Challenges and Opportunities: One of the primary challenges hampering the market includes varying levels of internet connectivity. However, the expanding broadband access and the elevating focus of regulatory authorities to ensure that all students have the necessary resources for online education are projected to stimulate the market in the coming years.

GCC E-Learning Market Trends:

Growing EdTech Startups

The rising number of education-based businesses across GCC countries that provide innovative solutions, including virtual classrooms, interactive learning platforms, AI-driven personalized learning experiences, etc., catering to both K-12 and higher education sectors, is stimulating the market. For instance, in May 2024, Bengaluru-based e-learning startup 90+ My Tuition App, which offers syllabus and textbook-oriented digital classes, announced the enrollment of over 1,000 paying students within the first year of operations in the UAE. Besides this, GCC countries, including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Dubai, etc., are focusing on introducing blended learning models that combine traditional classroom instruction with online learning. For example, in January 2024, Kuwait-based edtech Baims acquired Orcas to incorporate personalized tutoring services into its own platform. Additionally, various startups in GCC are focusing on creating content tailored to the local language and cultural context. This, in turn, is escalating the GCC e-learning market demand. For instance, in November 2023, one of the ed-techs in Egypt, Akhdar, which offers more than 2,500 Arabic-language educational content in the form of reviews, podcasts, audio and written books, etc., raised a six-figure round from Saudi Arabia-based venture studio Value Maker Studio (VMS). Apart from this, prominent education industry players in India, including Unacademy, BYJU’S, upGrad, etc., are increasing their presence in the Middle East region, which is further providing a positive outlook to the market. In March 2023, one of the edtech unicorns in India, PhysicsWallah, acquired the UAE-based, K-12 online learning platform Knowledge Planet to expand across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

Emerging Popularity of Corporate E-Learning

The inflating levels of employment are bolstering the market. According to the report published by Statista, in 2022, the United Arab Emirates accounted for the highest employment rate amongst all other GCC countries, at 75%. This was closely followed by Qatar at approximately 72.6%. The overall employment average for the GCC in 2022 was roughly around 54%. As a result, the rising requirement for employee training and professional development is one of the GCC e-learning market's recent opportunities. The statistics from the Hays Middle East's GCC Salary Guide 2024 indicated that employers in the Gulf region are divided on the use of AI technologies or tools in the workplace, with less than 41% recommending their usage. Moreover, approximately 14% of employers said that they are offering to upskill or reskill AI training programs to employees. Besides this, the introduction of online courses and training modules in several sectors, such as finance, hospitality, oil and gas, etc., will continue to drive the market in the coming years. For instance, in August 2022, Qatar Tourism developed an interactive online training course designed to enhance the knowledge of its travel trade partners of Qatar's diverse experiences.

Improved Internet Connectivity

The increasing penetration of high-speed internet connections, along with the rising number of online users, is bolstering the market across GCC countries. According to the findings published by the Statista Research Department in January 2024, as of 2023, the UAE accounted for the second-fastest average mobile internet speed in the world, ranking after Qatar. Additionally, the adoption of smartphones is projected to increase, owing to extensive network investments from operators. By 2025, the number of smartphone subscriptions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is forecasted to reach roughly around 652 million. Besides this, the shifting preferences among consumers from conventional teaching methods towards digitally interactive solutions are also augmenting the GCC e-learning market outlook. One of the GCC education industry reports by UAE-based investment banking advisory firm, Alpen Capital, highlighted the need for more private investments in the education sector, coupled with greater edtech spending, to drive a digital transformation. In the GCC region, Saudi Arabia is taking the lead by launching various reforms to build a knowledge-based economy, such as allocating 17% of its budget, amounting to US$ 50.4 Billion, to the education sector alone, as part of its Vision 2030 strategy. Moreover, the UAE further elevated the education budget allocation in 2023 to about 15.5% for improving educational quality and integrating technology into teaching and learning techniques.

GCC E-Learning Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with the GCC e-learning market forecast at the region and country levels for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on the learning type, sector, product type, and technology.

Breakup by Learning Type:

• Asynchronous Learning
• Synchronous Learning
   

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the learning type. This includes asynchronous learning and synchronous learning.

In the GCC region, asynchronous and synchronous e-learning methods are increasingly being integrated to provide a comprehensive educational experience. Asynchronous e-learning, which allows students to access course materials, lectures, and assignments at their convenience, is particularly beneficial in accommodating the varied schedules of working professionals and adult learners. Platforms like Coursera and EdX offer self-paced courses that cater to these needs. On the other hand, synchronous e-learning involves real-time, interactive sessions, such as live webinars, virtual classrooms, and video conferencing, enabling immediate feedback and fostering a sense of community among learners. Universities and educational institutions in the GCC, including the UAE's Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University, are leveraging these synchronous methods to maintain engagement and collaboration among students. As per the GCC e-learning market overview, by combining both asynchronous and synchronous approaches, key players are addressing the diverse learning preferences and schedules of students, thereby ensuring a flexible yet interactive educational environment that maximizes learning outcomes.

Breakup by Sector:

• Post-Secondary
• K-12
• Corporate and Governance Learning
   

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the sector. This includes post-secondary, K-12, and corporate and governance learning.

In post-secondary education, universities and colleges are increasingly adopting e-learning platforms to offer a range of undergraduate and graduate programs. Additionally, institutions like King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and Qatar University are integrating digital tools to enhance academic delivery and research capabilities. In the K-12 segment, schools are incorporating blended learning models, combining traditional classroom teaching with digital resources to foster interactive and personalized learning experiences. Governments are investing in smart education initiatives, such as the UAE's Mohammed bin Rashid Smart Learning Program, to equip students with novel skills. Corporate and governance learning in the GCC is also evolving, with companies and government bodies leveraging online training programs to upskill employees and improve organizational efficiency. Professional development platforms are being used to deliver targeted training in areas like leadership, technology, compliance, etc., which is elevating the GCC e-learning market's recent price.

Breakup by Product Type:

• Packaged Content
• Platforms
• Services
   

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the product type. This includes packaged content, platforms, and services.

Packaged e-learning content includes pre-designed modules, courses, and learning materials that cater to diverse educational needs, from K-12 curricula to professional certification programs. Companies like Pearson and McGraw-Hill are providing comprehensive content packages that align with regional educational standards. E-learning platforms, including Blackboard and Moodle, as well as startups like Alef Education, offer robust virtual learning environments that facilitate course management, interactive learning, student assessment, etc. These platforms are adopted by educational institutions and corporate entities to streamline and enhance the learning process. Additionally, e-learning services, including consultancy, implementation, and technical support, play a crucial role in helping organizations integrate and optimize digital learning solutions. Service providers are working closely with schools, universities, and businesses to customize e-learning experiences that meet specific needs and objectives, which is bolstering the GCC e-learning market revenue.

Breakup by Technology:

• Mobile and Online Learning
• Learning Management System
• Simulation Based Learning
• Game Based Learning
   

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the technology. This includes mobile and online learning, learning management system, simulation based learning, and game based learning.

Mobile e-learning, facilitated by widespread smartphone adoption, allows students and professionals to access educational content anytime and anywhere, making learning highly flexible and accessible. Online e-learning platforms, such as Edraak and Coursera, offer a plethora of courses ranging from academic subjects to professional development, catering to the diverse needs of learners in the region. Learning management systems like Blackboard and Moodle are integral to educational institutions and corporations, which is increasing the GCC e-learning market share. Apart from this, simulation-based learning, particularly in fields like healthcare and engineering, provides hands-on, practical experience in a virtual environment, enhancing skills and understanding without the risks associated with real-life training. Game-based learning, incorporating elements of gamification, engages students through interactive and competitive scenarios, making learning more enjoyable and effective. These innovative approaches are collectively transforming the educational landscape in the region, fostering an environment of continuous learning and skill development aligned with the region's economic and strategic goals. This, in turn, is driving the GCC e-learning market growth.

Breakup by Country:

• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Qatar
• Oman
• Kuwait
• Bahrain
   

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the country. This includes Saudi Araba, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain.

The rising number of students is driving the overall market. According to Alpen Capital, the total number of students in the GCC education sector is projected to reach around 14.2 million by 2027. Growth rates among the GCC countries vary widely, owing to country-specific population projections, government support, cost of education, etc. As per the GCC e-learning market statistics, Saudi Arabia is expected to remain the largest education market in the region, growing at a CAGR of 1.6%. Apart from this, the number of students in Kuwait and UAE is anticipated to increase at a faster rate than the other member nations between 2022 and 2027. The escalating demand for interactive e-learning solutions across GCC countries is also bolstering the market. For example, in March 2024, Ziyyara, an online tuition platform, expanded to the UAE to address the growing demand for flexible and effective e-learning solutions in the country's educational landscape. Besides this, the elevating digital infrastructures across GCC countries will continue to bolster the market over the forecasted period. For instance, at the start of the virtual schools in Saudi Arabia in March 2020, about 20 broadcasting channels were dedicated to providing academic school lessons, with alternative feeds available on YouTube (Asharq Al-Awsat). As part of advance preparation before launching virtual schooling in March 2020, the UAE Ministry of Education conducted a one-week remote professional training for over 25,000 government school administrators and teachers.

Competitive Landscape:

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the market. Competitive analysis such as market structure, market share by key players, player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant has been covered in the report. Also, detailed profiles of all major GCC e-learning market companies have been provided. Some of the key players in the market include: 

• Administrate Limited
• Capital Knowledge
• Capytech FZ LLC
• Coursera Inc.
• Docebo Inc.
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
• John Wiley & Sons Inc.
• Open Text Corporation
• Pearson Plc
• Webanywhere
• XpertLearning
   

(Please note that this is only a partial list of the key players, and the complete list is provided in the report.) 

GCC E-Learning Market Recent Developments:

• May 2024: One of the e-learning startups, 90+ My Tuition App, announced the enrollment of over 1,000 paying students within the first year of operations in the UAE.
• March 2024: Ziyyara, an online tuition platform, expanded its presence to UAE, one of the countries in GCC, to address the growing demand for flexible and effective e-learning solutions in the country's educational landscape. 
• January 2024: Kuwait-based edtech Baims acquired Orcas to integrate personalized tutoring services into its own platform.

GCC E-Learning Market Report:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the GCC e-learning market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the GCC e-learning market?
• What are the key regional markets?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the learning type?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the sector?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the product type?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the technology?
• What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?
• What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry?
• What is the structure of the GCC e-learning market and who are the key players?
• What is the degree of competition in the industry?

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the GCC e-learning market from 2019-2033.
• The research study provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the GCC e-learning market.
• The study maps the leading, as well as the fastest-growing, markets. It further enables stakeholders to identify the key country-level markets within the region.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the GCC e-learning industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.