GCC youth population hits 23.5 million in 2024 as employment and NEET rates improve
GCC youth reached 23.5 million in 2024 (38.2% of the population); employment rose in 2025 while NEET rates fell, and the UN projects growth to 28.6M by 2050, and jobs.
Gulf youth accounted for a substantial share of the GCC population in 2024, with the Gulf Cooperation Council Statistical Centre reporting 23.5 million residents aged 15–34. This group made up 38.2% of the total population, underscoring the continued demographic and economic importance of GCC youth in national development. The data provide a snapshot of shifting age structures that are reshaping labour markets, education systems and social policy across the region.
GCC youth population breakdown and gender profile
The GCC-Stat figures show that of the 23.5 million young people in 2024, roughly 15.1 million were male and 8.4 million were female. Males represented 64.5% of the youth cohort while females made up 35.5%, reflecting labour market and demographic patterns within member states. These gender imbalances carry implications for policy makers aiming to expand female participation in education and employment.
Long-term demographic trends in the Gulf
The council’s statistics point to gradual demographic change: the youth share of the population declined slightly from 38.9% in 2010 to 38.2% in 2024. Globally, the youth share also fell over the same period, from 32.8% to 30.3%, indicating that the GCC’s experience mirrors broader international shifts. At the same time, the proportion of residents aged 35 and above has been rising while the share of children under 15 has decreased, consistent with lower fertility and increased life expectancy.
Rising youth employment in 2025
Labour market data for 2025 show improvement in youth employment across the GCC, with an estimated 14.2 million young workers in the region. That figure represented about 38.1% of the total employed population and marked a 5.1% increase compared with 2024. The growth signals stronger integration of young people into the workforce, helped by economic recovery measures and targeted employment programmes.
Citizenship employment and NEET improvements
Employment among GCC nationals also rose, with around 2.5 million young citizens reported as working in 2025, constituting 43.5% of the citizen workforce and growing by an estimated 3.1% year-on-year. Progress is visible in education and training outcomes as well: the share of 15–24-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) fell from 20.1% in 2010 to 15.7% in 2024. Officials and analysts point to active labour market policies and expanded vocational and tertiary education as contributors to this decline.
UN projections point to future population shifts
Looking ahead, United Nations projections cited by GCC-Stat indicate the youth population in the GCC could rise to about 28.6 million by 2050, an increase of some 5.9 million from 2024 and a total growth of roughly 26%. That projected rise will place additional demand on education systems, job creation, housing and public services. Policymakers face the twin task of harnessing the demographic dividend while preparing for evolving social and economic needs.
Policy priorities for jobs, skills and sustainable growth
The statistical trends underline the need for sustained investment in quality education, skills development and private-sector job creation to absorb expanding cohorts of Gulf youth. Experts say a focus on entrepreneurship, digital skills and labour market reforms will be critical to translate demographic weight into economic gains. Equally, efforts to boost female participation and to integrate young nationals into high-value sectors will shape the long-term resilience of GCC economies.
As the GCC moves to capitalise on its young population, governments will need to align education, training and employment policies with private-sector demand and technological change. Continued monitoring of demographic and labour data will be essential to measure progress and to design targeted interventions that help Gulf youth contribute effectively to regional prosperity.