Trends in Adult Learning and Education in the Arab States: Findings from the 4th Global Report on Adult Learning and Education

The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) prepares the "Global Report on Adult Learning and Education" ("GRALE") every three years in order to strengthen understanding of 'where we stand' as a global community, and to address the growing need for youth and adult education. The present report draws on data from "GRALE 4," published in 2019, to provide a regional snapshot of the progress made in adult learning and education in the Arab States between 2015 and 2018. Drawing on information from 18 Arab countries, it allows for a comparative analysis both among Arab countries and with the rest of the world, and provides insights useful to governments, education experts and policymakers in the Arab States keen to monitor and accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 on education and, indeed, the wider sustainable development agenda. The report reveals that adult learning and education in the region is strongly focused on literacy, with less attention given to other areas of adult learning, such as continuing education and professional development, and citizenship education. This suggests that, while further progress is needed in achieving basic education for all, the other dimensions of adult learning need to be given adequate attention to ensure provision that is comprehensive and relevant to the diverse needs of adult and youth learners. Furthermore, the report suggests that good governance, supportive political will and adequate funding are key to fully realizing the potential of adult learning and education for economic, social, technological, and societal transformation.