The 2020-2021 academic year ended with the internationalschoolsmarket continuing to expandand shift.
As of July 2021, 鶹ý data recordeda total of12,373international schools around the world enrolling 5.6 million students and employ 550,846teaching staff.The sectorhasdemonstrated defensive resilience throughout COVID-19,generating over $53 billion USD in annual school fees,and looks set toemerge fromthe pandemic stronger than ever.
International schoolsmeetparents’ aspirations
Only a fewbrandnewinternational schools have opened since July 2020due to the impact of COVID-19, butveryfew have been forced to closeand, during that same time, enrolmentacross the sectorhasincreasedby 41,200 students.An increasing number of parents want their children to be educated in English, to astandard of learning and qualifications recognised by most of the world’s universities and industry.Much of this demand is coming fromaspirationalfamiliesthroughout Asiawiththe financial means to enrol their child into their local international school.
Most popular international curricula
The British A and InternationalALevels remain the most popular exit qualifications offered by 34% of international schools serving senior students, with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme being offered by 26%.Bilingual learning is growing in popularity, with 34% of international schoolsnowofferinglearning in the language ofEnglishand at least one other language, compared to 27%just five years ago.
Increased access
There has beennotable growth in demand forinternationalschools at a fee point affordable by more families. Several factors haveinfluenced this including the expanded demandfrom local families selecting an international school in their neighbourhood in preference to a local state or independent school,the increaseof expatriate families originating from a wide range of countriesparticularly within Asia,anddecliningemployeebenefits packages that include education fees for dependents.COVID-19 has also impacted the incomes of some families. A growing number of international schools are adapting their fees, or being established, to respond tothese factors.
The pandemic has been a living laboratoryfor the worldandwithin K-12 educationduring this time,international schools have been cited fordeliveringbestpracticeinteaching and learning, community wellbeing, inclusion,and education technology.
The resilience shown by the internationalschoolsmarketaffirmsits positionasastable andviable investment option.As the recognised source of data and intelligence on the world’s internationalschoolsmarket forover25years, 鶹ýResearch supports educational investorsas well as the schools and supplierswithexpert services.To remain informed of latest market developmentssignup tothe 鶹ýnewsletter.
