Young people across Gulf Cooperation Council countries outperform the global average across several core information and communication technology skills, according to data from GCC-STAT, highlighting the region’s growing investment in digital education and workforce readiness.
The figures show particularly wide gaps in programming, privacy management, information verification and basic digital tasks, with GCC youth recording substantially higher proficiency rates than global peers.
The results come as Gulf states continue to invest heavily in education and human capital development to prepare younger populations for technology-driven labour markets.
Basic digital skills reach near-universal levels
According to GCC-STAT, 100% of GCC youth demonstrate file-copying skills, compared with 54% globally.
Social networking skills stand at 95.2% across the region, compared with a global average of 68%.
These figures point to a high level of familiarity with everyday digital tools and online platforms among young people across GCC markets.
Privacy and information verification show large gaps
The regional advantage is also visible in more advanced digital literacy measures.
Around 75.9% of GCC youth have skills related to managing privacy settings, compared with 34% globally.
In information verification, the rate reaches 61.6% in the GCC, versus 24% worldwide.
These skills are becoming increasingly important as young people spend more time online and face growing risks related to misinformation, privacy and digital identity.
Programming skills significantly exceed global average
Programming skills show one of the largest differences.
Approximately 31.8% of GCC youth possess programming capabilities, compared with just 6% globally.
That gap suggests the region is building a stronger base of technical skills that could support future employment in software, AI, data, cybersecurity and digital entrepreneurship.
Programming capability is particularly important as GCC economies seek to diversify into higher-value technology sectors.
Education spending supports digital capability
The findings are linked to continued public investment in education.
Government spending on education in some GCC countries reached around 17% in 2024, above the global average of 12.6%.
That spending reflects a broader policy focus on equipping younger populations with skills relevant to employment, entrepreneurship and technological change.
The figures also align with Sustainable Development Goal targets around increasing the number of young people and adults with skills relevant to decent work and economic participation by 2030.
Digital skills become part of labour-market competitiveness
ICT capabilities are increasingly central to employability as Gulf economies expand digital services, AI, cloud, fintech and advanced technology industries.
Skills such as programming, information verification and privacy management are no longer limited to specialist technology roles.
They are becoming part of the broader toolkit required for digital work, entrepreneurship and responsible participation in online environments.
Why this matters
The data suggests GCC countries are building a youth population that is relatively well prepared for a more digital economy.
High levels of proficiency in both basic and advanced ICT skills can improve employability, support entrepreneurship and strengthen the region’s ability to build more technology-intensive industries.
The advantage in programming and information verification is particularly significant because these capabilities are closely tied to future demand in AI, software development, cybersecurity and digital services.
Editor’s note
The most important takeaway is that the GCC’s digital transition is being supported not only by infrastructure and investment, but also by human capital.
The region’s next challenge will be converting these skills into productivity, employment and innovation.
Strong digital literacy creates the foundation, but long-term competitiveness will depend on whether young people can apply those capabilities in high-value roles, startups, research and technology development across the Gulf economy.
