Regions for Education Investment and Expansion in 2025

Regions for Education Investment in 2025

The global education landscape is expanding fast, presenting lucrative opportunities for investors and education providers to expand their footprint. With growing populations, increased internet penetration, and heightened demand for quality education, certain regions are emerging as hotspots for investment and expansion in 2025.

Global Services in Education (GSE) is at the forefront of this dynamic market, particularly in the K-12 sector.

Here, we explore the top regions for education investment in 2025, that are ripe for development.

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East Asia: A Region of Established Demand

East Asia remains a critical region for education investment, driven by its strong cultural emphasis on academic achievement and innovation. Countries like Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan continue to see high demand for premium education services, international schools, and advanced edtech solutions.

Japan and South Korea, with their established infrastructure, offer opportunities in after-school tutoring, test preparation services, and bilingual school models catering to globally-minded families. Taiwan, on the other hand, provides a growing market for English-language programmes and vocational training. While these markets are mature, there is room for niche offerings such as AI-based personalised learning tools and programmes designed to develop 21st-century skills.

China’s influence in the region also presents indirect opportunities for education providers seeking partnerships or regional expansion. However, investors should consider the competitive landscape and high expectations from both parents and students in East Asia.

Steps to Setting Up a New School in Japan

Expanding International Schools in Mongolia

Legal Requirements to Establish & Operate an Educational Institution in South Korea

Comments by CEO Greg Parry:

“We believe Korea and Japan are very attractive (in that order) and we continue to receive many enquiries. These areas are the highest priority. Parents want a higher standard of education with less pressure. In other words, they want an international curriculum with high-quality teachers.”

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China: Balancing Opportunities and Challenges

China remains a critical market despite recent regulatory shifts. Parents continue to prioritise high-quality education, with demand for international-standard curricula and bilingual education remaining strong.

Strategic investments in hybrid education models, AI-focused learning tools, and niche edtech platforms are promising areas. While stringent regulations require careful planning, the market’s sheer size and spending power make it highly attractive.

Comments by CEO Greg Parry:

“China has always been a very high-demand region for international education. However, changes in government policy and restrictions have severely impacted the country as a prime location for international operators. Some opportunities still exist, and we should remain open, but it is not a priority region right now. It will be interesting to see what happens in 2025 but for us we are cautious.”

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Southeast Asia: A Hub of Growth

Southeast Asia continues to shine as a priority region for education investment. With rapid economic growth, urbanisation, and a young, tech-savvy population, countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand are ideal for both traditional schools and edtech platforms.

Opportunities abound in K-12 international schools catering to a burgeoning middle class, alongside digital learning platforms offering language training, STEM education, and test preparation. Navigating local regulatory frameworks and cultural nuances will be key to success in this vibrant market.

Singapore: Steps to Setting Up a New School

SOUTH KOREA: Setting Up a New School and Legal Requirements to Establish & Operate an Educational Institution in South Korea

INDONESIA: Setting Up a New School

MALAYSIA: Steps to Setting Up a New School

VIETNAM: The Steps to Setting Up a New School and Vietnam’s International Schools – “Raising the Bar and Closing the Gap”

Launching New Schools in Korea: Unlocking the Potential

Comments by CEO Greg Parry:

“South East Asia is a key region for international school expansion. ‘

‘Vietnam is a high-demand region; however, recently, we have become concerned about government restrictions and regulatory issues. The recent closure of a couple of schools shows that the government is tightening policy on some operators. This can be good and bad. It is good to see high quality standards but this has also spooked the market. We are cautious but remain open. It is definitely the highest growth market.”

“Malaysia has a maturing market but the area remains open to higher quality schools that better meet the needs of students, especially in the Tier Two sector. In the southern parts of the Klang Valley corridor and also Penang we think the appetite is strongest. We are less excited about Johor but remain open. We expect several new schools to open will remain a priority for GSE”

“Indonesia has a high population and high demand for higher quality schools. The regulatory matters are an obstacle but investors are starting to break through. We have seen several new opportunities open up recently.”

“Singapore has a very high demand for student places; however, restrictions exist for land and suitable locations. Singapore needs new schools but it needs locations to launch them.”

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Middle East: Strategic Expansion in the Gulf

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, are prioritising education as part of their broader economic diversification plans. Government initiatives, such as Saudi Vision 2030, highlight the region’s commitment to fostering educational excellence.

The Middle East presents opportunities in premium international schools, vocational training institutions, and partnerships with government-backed programmes. While competition is fierce, the market’s appetite for innovation and quality creates a fertile ground for growth. Saudi Arabia is definitely the key priority!

Expanding International Schools in Saudi Arabia

Comments by CEO Greg Parry:

“Saudi Arabia is definitely the highest priority location within the Middle East and GSE is now located in Riyadh under our JV company. Initially, there have been several new UK-branded schools. There is a higher demand for US premium schools. An even higher demand exists for Tier Two schools to meet the needs of parents seeking premium but more affordable options.”

“UAE has surprisingly continued to grow. The demand was expected to soften, but Dubai, especially, has surprised us all.”

“There is a growing interest in Qatar and also Iraq and other regions of the Middle East that were previously challenged but have now stabilised and are now growing economically.”

“We are cautious about Oman, which has several schools, but demand may not yet match supply.”

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Europe: A Blend of Tradition and Innovation

Europe continues to be a significant player in the global education market, with countries like Italy and France leading the way in demand for innovative education solutions. Both nations offer strong cultural ties to education and growing interest in international school models and bilingual programmes.

In addition to Italy and France, Southern European countries such as Turkey, Greece, Spain, and Portugal present opportunities for affordable private schools and edtech platforms catering to local and expatriate families. These markets are particularly suited for mid-priced offerings that balance quality with accessibility. Europe’s well-established infrastructure and regulatory stability make it an attractive yet competitive region for education investment.

Setting Up a New School in Italy

The Demand for a New School in Portugal: A Growing Market for International Education

Open a New School in Spain: A Strategic Opportunity for International Education Providers

Opening New Schools in Greece: A Gateway for International Education Providers

Opening New Schools in Turkey: A Growing Market for International Education Providers

Launching a New School in France: A Strategic Approach to Opening Successful Day and Boarding Schools

The Most Elite International Schools in Europe

Comments by CEO Greg Parry:

“GSE has a very big plan for Italy and France, and we are currently expanding there under a special and significant investment strategy. Few international schools per capita and frustrations by families who want better quality schooling are fueling demand. Incentives for expats to immigrate are also making the region very attractive”

“Spain and Portugal continue to grow, and demand is increasing.”

“We are looking at Greece very closely, and Turkey remains of strong interest to us.”

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Africa: A Continent of Potential

Africa’s youthful population and growing demand for quality education make it a compelling region for investment and expansion in 2025. Key markets like Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa are seeing rising interest in affordable private education and scalable edtech solutions.

Investors can focus on developing cost-effective international school models, STEM-focused curricula, and teacher training programmes. Infrastructure challenges and political instability in some areas require careful navigation, but the rewards of entering this untapped market are significant.

Education in Africa: Market Research about Education Investment Opportunities

Morocco: Steps to Setting Up a New School

Launching a New School in Botswana – a SWOT Analysis

Comments by CEO Greg Parry:

“We expect Africa to grow exponentially in the next 5-10 years, and the region will brings an average of 3-5 enquiries to us week by week. GSE currently has new projects in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Kenya. We are also in conversation about new projects in other locations. In fact, we believe that Africa will become the fastest growing region for international education, especially in the Tier Two sector.”

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South Asia: The Rising Star

South Asia, particularly India, stands out with its enormous student population and increasing internet penetration. Markets like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka also offer untapped potential.

International schools catering to an expanding middle class and investments in edtech platforms such as those focusing on lifelong learning and test preparation are especially promising. While the market is competitive, the demand for high-quality education and training remains insatiable.

India International Schools Expansion

Comments by CEO Greg Parry:

“India is, of course, expanding rapidly. We expect this to continue. A very large population with a rising economy fuels demand for more and better schools. The larger cities are an obvious target but the whole of India will see this energy and further expansion.”

“We are receiving growing enquiries from Bangladesh. This market is still developing, however.”

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Central Asia: A Market in Development

Central Asia is emerging as a region with growing potential for education investment. Countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan are experiencing steady economic development and a rising demand for education services. However, the market remains in its early stages, with current opportunities concentrated in moderately priced sectors.

Investors may find promise in vocational training centres, affordable private schools, and basic edtech solutions tailored to local needs. While the region’s infrastructure and regulatory frameworks are still developing, its long-term potential makes it worth monitoring.

Expanding Schools in Central Asia

Steps to Setting Up a New School in Kazakhstan and Opening New Schools in Kazakhstan

Opening New Schools in Kyrgyzstan

Opening New Schools in Uzbekistan

Comments by CEO Greg Parry:

“GSE has received a very large number of enquiries from investors looking to launch new schools and existing school operators wanting to internationalise or expand. It is still a new and developing region. Generally speaking, the market lacks an understanding of what is required to improve standards and what type of investment is required. This is what will create opportunities for savvy investors and operators. Not quite ready but nearly….. GSE will partner with serious investors in this region only and remains cautious about new entrants without significant backing or experience.”

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North America: Innovation and Niche Markets

The United States and Canada remain leaders in education innovation. These regions are ideal for niche markets like sports academies and premium private schools.

Schools that differentiate, such as sports academies, exemplify the type of high-value projects with the potential to flourish in North America. Additionally, opportunities exist to acquire underperforming private schools and transform them into profitable, high-quality institutions. However, investors must contend with rising operational costs and intense competition.

Comments by CEO Greg Parry:

“We still see a rising demand for for-profit schools in North America. Investors are looking to acquire and many families are seeking independent schools as they are looking for better education opportunities than their communities have to offer.”

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Latin America: Emerging Demand

Latin America offers a growing demand for bilingual education and tech-driven learning solutions. Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia stand out as key markets, driven by a rising middle class and an eagerness for education innovation.

Affordable private schools and mobile-first edtech solutions targeting rural and underserved areas are particularly promising. Despite currency and political risks, the region’s long-term potential is undeniable.

Comments by CEO Greg Parry:

“Latin America is definitely an emerging market. Most independent and private schools are church based so for-profit, secular schools are fewer and emerging. Expect a lot more expansion in 2025-2026 in this sector.”

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Where and what else?

Sorry – but we haven’t shared all of our ideas here 🙂

There are a few more hot locations and opportunities we are exploring that will become apparent. Our premium clients attended a forum recently where we discussed some unique hot spots and strategies.

These will be announced soon!

Capitalising on Global Opportunities and Key Regions for Education Investment in 2025

The global education market offers diverse opportunities for investment and expansion in 2025. Regions like Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, China, North America, Latin America, Central Asia, and Europe present unique challenges and rewards, requiring tailored strategies to unlock their potential.

Global Services in Education (GSE) is expanding rapidly in the K-12 sector, delivering innovative, high-quality solutions across these key regions. If you are looking to explore investment opportunities or partner with a trusted leader in global education, contact GSE today. Together, we can shape the future of education.

Visit our other articles on specific regions for education investment in 2025 or reach out to us directly to learn more about how GSE is driving excellence in education around the world.

If you want to learn more about the steps required to set up a school check out some of our other articles:

– Steps to Setting Up a New School

– 10 Steps and Articles on How to Set Up a New School

– GSE International School Franchise Models

GSE provides specialist services to set up all educational institutions, including international schools, kindergartens, vocational colleges, universities, and online/virtual schools.

GSE has previously operated, or currently operates projects, in the following locations:

India, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, East Timor, Mongolia, Myanmar, South Korea, Saudi Arabia (KSA), UAE, Equatorial Guinea, Zambia, Kenya, Libya, Bahrain, Iraq, Japan, Indonesia, Australia, USA

Contact Us Directly 👇

CEO and Education Expert Greg Parry

Internationally renowned for his expertise in education leadership, Greg Parry’s vast experience includes leadership of projects for education institutions throughout Australia, the Middle East, the United States, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and China. Recognised for his numerous contributions in the education arena, Greg has received the Ministers Award for Excellence in School Leadership based on improvements in school performance and a range of successful principal training and leadership development programs, as well as the School of Excellence Award for Industry/School Partnerships and the School of Excellence Award for Technology Innovation. His company, GSE (Global Services in Education), has been recognised as having the Best Global Brand in International Education in 2015 and 2016.

Considered one of the premier experts in his profession, Greg has trained teachers and principals throughout the world in areas such as critical thinking, language development and leadership. His expertise in school start-up projects, leadership and curriculum development has made him a sought-after authority in this discipline.

Global Services in Education set up and operate schools in all parts of the world. Governed by a philosophy of global citizenship, every member of the GSE team shares a passion to help shape international education and student achievement through inspiration and collaboration.
Our goal is to meet the highest objectives of every school, teacher, student and parent, with an unwavering dedication to quality education, shared ideals and intercultural perspectives.