GCC youth population exceeds 23.5 million, representing 38.2% of total population

Muscat: The GCC Statistical Centre (GCC-Stat) has revealed that the total number of young people aged 15 to 34 in GCC countries reached approximately 23.5 million in 2024, accounting for 38.2 percent of the region’s total population. The data, released to mark GCC Youth Day observed annually on 6 June, showed that 15.1 million of this group are males, representing 64.5 percent, while 8.4 million are females, accounting for 35.5 percent. Demographic trends The Centre noted that GCC countries are undergoing demographic changes similar to global trends. The share of youth in the overall population declined slightly from 38.9 percent in 2010 to 38.2 percent in 2024. Globally, youth representation decreased from 32.8 percent to 30.3 percent over the same period. At the same time, the proportion of people aged 35 and above has increased, alongside a decline in the share of children under 15, reflecting rising life expectancy and lower fertility rates. Workforce participation In the labour market, around 14.2 million young people were employed across GCC countries in 2025, representing 38.1 percent of the region’s total workforce. This marked a growth of 5.1 percent compared to 2024. The number of employed GCC national youth reached approximately 2.5 million, accounting for 43.5 percent of all employed GCC nationals, with a year-on-year increase of 3.1 percent. Improved participation in education and employment Data also showed progress in reducing the proportion of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET). The rate declined from 20.1 percent in 2010 to 15.7 percent in 2024, indicating improved integration of youth into education systems and the labour market. Future outlook According to United Nations estimates, the youth population in GCC countries is expected to reach 28.6 million by 2050, an increase of approximately 5.9 million compared to 2024, representing overall growth of 26 percent. The figures underline the importance of youth as key contributors to economic and social development, innovation and entrepreneurship, as GCC countries continue to focus on building sustainable and prosperous futures.