Young people across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) outperform their global peers in several core digital skills, according to data from the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-STAT).
The figures, published in a bulletin marking International Youth Day, show that 100% of GCC youth have file-copying skills, compared with 54% globally. Social networking skills stood at 95.2%, versus 68% worldwide, while 75.9% demonstrated the ability to manage privacy settings, compared with 34% globally.
GCC youth also recorded higher levels in information verification, at 61.6% compared with 24% globally, and programming, at approximately 31.8% compared with 6%.
The data point to a widening base of digital capabilities that can support innovation, entrepreneurship, employment and responsible online participation, according to the bulletin.
The company said the results reflect growing investment in education and youth skills development across the GCC. Government spending on education in some GCC countries reached about 17% in 2024, above the global average of 12.6%.
GCC-STAT linked the indicators to efforts to build human capital and prepare young people for technological change and evolving labour-market needs.
Source: WAM
