Emerging Markets, Explosive Growth: Best Regions for Education Investment in 2025

As global economic landscapes shift and populations surge, the next wave of high-return education investment isn’t in the saturated markets of London, New York, or Sydney. It’s in emerging markets and rising cities like Nairobi, Riyadh, and Ho Chi Minh City.

In 2025, emerging markets are offering private equity, family offices, and institutional investors a rare combination: low-cost entry, high-growth demand, and long-term strategic positioning in a sector built for resilience: education.

Let’s explore the best regions for education investment right now and why smart investors are making bold moves in these markets.

Why Emerging Markets in Education?

Education investment thrives where four forces intersect:

A young and growing population
An expanding middle class with disposable income
Government undercapacity in public education
A demand for international-quality schooling and English-medium instruction

These conditions are accelerating in emerging markets, and investors who enter now can capture first-mover advantage in sectors that are both profitable and impactful.

Top Emerging Regions for Education Investment in 2025

1. Gulf Region – Especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE

Saudi Arabia is undergoing a profound transformation under Vision 2030. With ambitious targets to modernise education and attract international operators, the private education sector is booming.

Key Drivers: Huge government spending, growing expat population, strong demand for bilingual and international curricula.
Opportunities: K–12 schools, vocational and technical education, women’s education, digital learning platforms.
Investor Note: Riyadh and Jeddah are the epicentres, but Tier-2 cities are where competition is low and land is more affordable.

2. Sub-Saharan Africa – Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana

Africa has the youngest population on the planet, and by 2050, one in four people will be African. Yet most governments cannot meet educational demand, creating vast opportunities for private players.

Key Drivers: Explosive population growth, urbanisation, rising mobile penetration.
Opportunities: Affordable private schools, English-language international schools, blended learning, higher education campuses.
Investor Note: Nairobi is a fast-emerging education hub. Investors should look for partners with local cultural fluency and policy access.

3. Southeast Asia – Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines

These fast-growing economies have an aspirational middle class and high educational expectations, especially for international and bilingual schooling.

Key Drivers: Economic expansion, high literacy rates, strong parental spend on education.
Opportunities: International schools, EdTech platforms, English-language tutoring, vocational training.
Investor Note: Vietnam, with its stable growth and openness to foreign direct investment, is a hot spot for international school development.

4. India – A Superpower in Waiting

India’s education sector is expected to reach $225 billion by 2025. The combination of scale, digital transformation, and a culture that highly values education makes India a prime target.

Key Drivers: Massive student population, rise of private school enrolments, EdTech leadership.
Opportunities: Tier-2 and Tier-3 city schools, test prep, digital platforms, teacher training academies.
Investor Note: Regulations vary by state. Local partnerships and on-ground navigation are essential.

5. North Africa – Egypt and Morocco

With large, urbanising populations and growing regional influence, North Africa is seeing surging demand for international schools and bilingual education.

Key Drivers: Political stability (relative to surrounding regions), education-focused reforms, large youth populations.
Opportunities: International schools, dual-language programs, higher education partnerships.
Investor Note: Casablanca and Cairo are top targets. Morocco’s trilingual policy (Arabic-French-English) presents unique curriculum opportunities.

What Makes These Regions Attractive to Investors?

✅ Underserved Markets – Demand often far exceeds the available supply of quality education.

✅ Low Barriers to Entry (for those with the right expertise) – While regulatory hurdles exist, there’s often an openness to foreign investors who bring quality and capital.

✅ Long-Term Growth Trajectory – These markets will be home to the majority of the world’s young people by 2030.

✅ Impact + Return – These investments are not only profitable, they deliver social impact at scale.

How to Enter Emerging Markets in Education Strategically

Partner with Local Experts
Cultural fluency and regulatory navigation are critical. The right local partner or advisory group can make or break your investment.
Structure Wisely
Use SPVs, education-specific funds, or management partnerships to de-risk your investment and align incentives.
Understand the Lifecycle
School investments are long-term plays. Returns improve over time with enrolment ramp-up and operational optimisation.
Be Prepared for Infrastructure Challenges
In some markets, the challenges are real, including land, approvals, and logistics. But so is the upside.
Invest in People
Success hinges on leadership and teaching quality. Build strong pipelines and professional development systems early.

The Time Is Now

Emerging markets aren’t just the future—they are the present. Education investment in these regions offers scale, growth, and meaning. It’s where capital meets impact, and where first movers will gain the greatest rewards.

If you’re an investor looking to deploy capital in a sector that blends profitability with purpose, the message is clear: Go where the growth is. Go global. Go now.

About the Author

Greg Parry is CEO of Global Services in Education (GSE), a leading advisory firm helping investors, governments, and education operators establish world-class schools worldwide. GSE Capital Advisory Group advises regulated investment funds focused on education assets.

Want to explore education investment opportunities in emerging markets?

Let’s talk. Connect via LinkedIn or visit .

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