International Schools Worldwide
+45% vs July 2015 (10,408)
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The International School Market
10-Year Growth (July 2015 – July 2025)
Indexed, July 2015 = 100
Students Enrolled
+54% vs July 2015 (5.0M)
Annual Fee Income
+80% vs July 2015 (US$38.6B)
| Panel | Metric | Period | Value | Source | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Growth | Schools | 2015 | 10408 schools | ISC Research | July 2025 |
| Growth | Schools | 2021 | 12373 schools | ISC Research | July 2025 |
| Growth | Schools | 2022 | 13180 schools | ISC Research | July 2025 |
| Growth | Schools | 2023 | 13614 schools | ISC Research | July 2025 |
| Growth | Schools | 2024 | 14010 schools | ISC Research | July 2025 |
| Growth | Schools | 2025 | 15075 schools | ISC Research | July 2025 |
| Growth | Students | 2015 | 5 million students | ISC Research | July 2025 |
| Growth | Students | 2021 | 5.68 million students | ISC Research | July 2025 |
| Growth | Students | 2022 | 5.8 million students | ISC Research | July 2025 |
| Growth | Students | 2024 | 6.9 million students | ISC Research | July 2025 |
| Growth | Students | 2025 | 7.7 million students | ISC Research | July 2025 |
| Growth | Staff | 2015 | 473920 staff | ISC Research | July 2025 |
| Growth | Staff | 2025 | 730000 staff | ISC Research | July 2025 |
| Growth | Fee Income (USD) | 2015 | 38.6 US$ billion | ISC Research | July 2025 |
| Growth | Fee Income (USD) | 2024 | 60.9 US$ billion | ISC Research | July 2025 |
| Growth | Fee Income (USD) | 2025 | 69.3 US$ billion | ISC Research | July 2025 |
| Stat tile | International Schools Worldwide | July 2025 | 15,075 | ISC Research | July 2025 |
| Stat tile | Students Enrolled | July 2025 | 7.7 Million | ISC Research | July 2025 |
| Stat tile | Annual Fee Income | July 2025 | US$69.3B | ISC Research | July 2025 |
Global market snapshot
July 2025
Schools by Region
% of total schools (July 2025)
58%Asia
Source: ISC Research · July 2025
Top 5 Country Markets by Schools
International schools by country
China
1,124
India
972
UAE
784
Pakistan
598
Indonesia
195
Source: ISC Research, "The International Schools Market in 2025" · January 2025
Staff
473,9202015
730,0002025
Source: ISC Research · July 2025
| Panel | Metric | Period | Value | Source | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schools by Region | Asia | July 2025 | 58% | ISC Research | July 2025 |
| Schools by Region | Americas | July 2025 | 15% | ISC Research | July 2025 |
| Schools by Region | Europe | July 2025 | 14% | ISC Research | July 2025 |
| Schools by Region | Africa | July 2025 | 12% | ISC Research | July 2025 |
| Schools by Region | Oceania | July 2025 | 2% | ISC Research | July 2025 |
| Top Country Markets | China | January 2025 | 1,124 | ISC Research, "The International Schools Market in 2025" | January 2025 |
| Top Country Markets | India | January 2025 | 972 | ISC Research, "The International Schools Market in 2025" | January 2025 |
| Top Country Markets | UAE | 2024 | 784 | ISC Research | 2024 |
| Top Country Markets | Pakistan | 2024 | 598 | ISC Research | 2024 |
| Top Country Markets | Indonesia | 2018 | 195 | ISC Research via Relocate magazine | 2018 |
| Staff | staff | 2015 | 473,920 | ISC Research | July 2025 |
| Staff | staff | 2025 | 730,000 | ISC Research | July 2025 |
| Annual Fee Income Growth | USD billions | July 2015 | 38.6 | ISC Research | July 2025 |
| Annual Fee Income Growth | USD billions | July 2025 | 69.3 | ISC Research | July 2025 |
Featured Guide
Boarding vs. Day School for Expat Families: A Cost-Benefit Analysis
Boarding school abroad or a local international day school? A practical cost-benefit breakdown for relocating and globally mobile families, with real fee data.
Boarding SchoolDay SchoolSchool SelectionExpat Families
A&Amir & Ayunni8 min read
Key facts at a glance
15,075
International Schools Worldwide
ISC Research · July 2025
7.7 Million
Students Enrolled
ISC Research · July 2025
6,200+
IB World Schools in 160+ Countries
IB · May 2026
10,000+
Cambridge Schools in 160+ Countries
Cambridge Int. · 2026
US$69.3B
Annual Fee Income (Global)
ISC Research · July 2025
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Research spotlight
International Schools Global Market Overview 2025
Key trends, growth drivers and opportunities shaping the next decade of global education.
Read the reportTrusted sources
ISCISC Researchiscresearch.comiscresearch.comIBInternational Baccalaureate®ibo.orgibo.orgCCambridge International Educationcambridgeinternational.orgcambridgeinternational.org
All data is based on the latest available reports from official sources, including ISC Research's Global International Schools Snapshot 2026 (July 2025 data year), the International Baccalaureate (May 2026) and Cambridge International (2026).