International Schools: Still Growing...

English-Medium International Schools to Reach 11,000 Mark by 2020

The impact of the global downturn dominated the international schools market last year, and rumors of international schools falling apart were the subject of sensationalist media speculation. On a more realistic note, several associations undertook surveys to assess enrollment expectations and most schools put contingency plans in place.

So where did the market end up? The latest figures published by ISC Research, the organization that analyzes developments in the international schools market, indicate that the market as a whole did significantly better than expected. At this time last year there were 5,116 English-medium international schools worldwide. There are now 5,515, reflecting a growth in 2009—even with the global economic downturn—of 7.2 percent (compared to an 11 percent average growth rate over each of the three previous years).

From all the evidence gathered by ISC Research at the start of the 2009-2010 school year, 51 percent of international schools have maintained their enrollment numbers; many of these are full, although some have reduced waiting lists. Only nine percent of international schools have fewer students, and 41 percent have actually increased their enrollment figures.

Contradicting some media claims, many new school projects have gone ahead, this despite the financial crisis. “There are, of course, exceptions,” says Nick Brummitt, Managing Director of ISC Research. “Some new projects have been delayed and some schools have suffered, mainly those heavily dependent on expatriate parents working for companies that downsized or closed operations. But such schools are relatively few. Most international schools today cater largely to wealthy local families, with 70-80 percent of international schools students now from local families: a complete reversal over the last 20 years.”

So did the market implode during the recession? “Absolutely not,” says Brummitt. “The market has been extraordinarily resilient and the demand looks unstoppable. A large number of new international schools are in the process of opening, with most growth in Asia including India, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, and, interestingly, also in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and the Maldives. ISC Research is confident that the market will not only remain strong but will continue to enjoy significant growth. By 2015 we predict the number of English-medium international schools will reach 7,800, and increase to 11,000 by 2020.”

ISC Research maps the world’s international schools and analyzes the international schools market, providing the most comprehensive online systems and databases of international English-medium schools in the world. See http://www.iscresearch.com.

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