{
  "id": 9541949,
  "title": "The $5 trillion question facing global education",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/the-5-trillion-question-facing-global-education",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-24T09:56:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/opinion/op-eds/the-5-trillion-question-facing-global-education-1.500686157"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The global education sector is facing a $5 trillion challenge, accounting for about 5% of the world's GDP. However, by 2030, an estimated 85 million jobs may go unfilled, with only 58% of students globally reaching minimum reading proficiency by the end of primary school. This shortfall amounts to $8.5 trillion in unrealized economic output. The skills gap between education systems and what economies require has never been wider. Traditional education models are being disrupted by rapid technological advancements, demographic shifts, the rise of non-linear career paths, demand for value for money, geopolitical competition for skilled talent, and fiscal constraints. AI-powered tutoring systems now offer learning gains comparable to one-on-one human tutoring at a fraction of the cost, raising questions about the economics of traditional lecture-based instruction. Employers are increasingly adopting skills-based hiring, with 60-70% using skills-based hiring and alternatives such as Google Career Certificates, which cost $300 and are accepted by over 150 employers, indicating that a four-year degree may no longer be necessary or expensive for quality education. The education value chain is being disrupted at every stage, with early childhood education showing the highest returns on investment, yet participation rates in the Middle East and North Africa remain low compared to Europe and North America. The need for additional teachers in K-12 education is also increasing as AI impacts teaching methods. In higher education, traditional degrees are being replaced by bootcamps, MOOCs, and employer-issued credentials. Corporate learning budgets are also shifting as the \"half-life of a professional skill\" has decreased from 10 years to under five years. Despite these challenges, some countries are taking decisive action. Saudi Arabia has reduced national unemployment from 15% to a record low of 6%, achieving its Vision 2030 workforce target five years early. The UAE has improved its ranking in the IMD World Talent Ranking from 17th to 9th and leads globally in workforce readiness. Qatar has invested heavily in Education City, hosting campuses of renowned universities. However, the future of learning must be personalized and measured against access, quality, and relevance. Governments must reallocate spending to high-return stages and build data-driven workforce strategies, while education institutions must redefine their value proposition and the private sector must treat workforce development as a strategic capability. The $5 trillion question is not whether education needs to change, but whether decision-makers will redesign systems around the learner and labor market or continue optimizing institutions built for a world that has already moved on.",
  "summary": "Global spending on education exceeds $5 trillion annually, approximately 5% of global GDP. Yet 85 million jobs are estimated to go unfulfilled by 2030, and only 58% of students globally reach minimum reading proficiency by the end of primary school. It is estimated that $8.5 trillion in unrealised economic output comes from skills gaps alone. The gap between what education systems produce and…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}