GCC Youth Outperform Global Peers in Key Digital Skills: GCC-STAT
Muhammad Irfan | Published August 19, 2026 | 03:00 PM
MUSCAT, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM – 19th Aug, 2026)
Young people in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries outperform their global peers in several key information and communication technology skills, according to data from the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-STAT). This is a reflection of GCC countries’ growing investment in education and youth skills development to prepare them for technological change and future labour market needs.
Government spending on education in some GCC countries reached about 17 percent in 2024, above the global average of 12.6 percent.
Information and communication technology (ICT) skills are becoming increasingly vital for young people due to:
- Opportunities they offer for empowerment in the labour market.
- Potential to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship.
- Support for lifelong learning.
- Role in protecting privacy and promoting responsible digital citizenship.
Data from GCC-STAT’s weekly bulletin, released on International Youth Day, showed:
- 100 percent of GCC youth possess file-copying skills, compared to 54 percent globally.
- 95.2 percent have social networking skills, against a global rate of 68 percent.
- 75.9 percent understand privacy settings, compared to just 34 percent globally.
- 61.6 percent are proficient in information verification, versus 24 percent globally.
- Approximately 31.8 percent have programming skills, compared with only 6 percent globally, highlighting a significant gap in basic and advanced digital skills between GCC youth and their global counterparts.
These findings align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including goals on poverty reduction and quality education, particularly the target of increasing the number of young people and adults with skills relevant to employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship by 2030.
The emphasis on investing in education and developing human skills is part of GCC countries’ efforts to cultivate a generation capable of keeping pace with technological transformations and labour market demands. These indicators underscore that investment in education is no longer solely about expanding access to knowledge but has become a cornerstone of human capital development, enhanced competitiveness, and preparedness for the digital economy’s requirements.
The high levels of ICT skills among GCC youth also point towards a movement towards building human capabilities better equipped for innovation, entrepreneurship, and adaptation to rapid labour market shifts.
