MUSCAT – The figures show that the total number of young people in the GCC reached approximately 23.5 million, of whom 15.1 million are males (64.5 percent) and 8.4 million are females (35.5 percent).
The data highlights the growing role of Gulf youth as key contributors to sustainable development across GCC states, reflecting their increasing demographic, economic, and social significance.
The report from the Gulf Statistical Centre noted that the proportion of young people in the GCC population has declined slightly over time, falling from 38.9 percent in 2010 to 38.2 percent in 2024. A similar downward trend was observed globally, where the youth share decreased from 32.8 percent to 30.3 percent over the same period.
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Conversely, the proportion of the adult population aged 35 and over has increased, while the proportion of children under 15 has decreased, reflecting changes associated with rising life expectancy and declining fertility rates.
In the labour market, the number of young workers in the GCC countries reached approximately 21.4 million in 2025, accounting for 38.1 percent of the total workforce, with a growth rate of 5.1 percent compared to 2024.
The number of young citizens employed across GCC states stood at around 2.5 million in 2025, representing 43.5 percent of the total working national population, with a 3.1 percent increase compared to the previous year.
The report also highlighted improved youth integration into education and employment, noting that the proportion of young people aged 15 to 24, outside of education, employment, and training declined from 20.1 percent in 2010 to 15.7 percent in 2024.
Regarding future projections, the United Nations estimates that the number of young people in the GCC countries will rise to 28.6 million by 2050, an increase of approximately 5.9 million compared to 2024, with an overall growth rate of 26 percent.
These indicators underscore the pivotal role of youth in the societies of the GCC countries, and the growing role they play in supporting economic and social development, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, and contributing to building a more sustainable and prosperous future for the Gulf region.
