Global Market Overview 2026 + International Schools Groups Report 2026

The market, and the groups shaping it

Between 2021–22 and 2025–26, the number of international schools grew by 5.0% while fee income grew by 29.0%. Close to 40% of international schools now belong to a group, and more than half of schools in development are group affiliated.

The Global Market Overview shows where the market is heading. The International Schools Groups Report shows who is driving it and how they make decisions. Read together, they give you the full picture.

Why invest in both? 

Market opportunity and customer understanding go hand in hand. Knowing where the market is developing is valuable, but understanding the organisations operating within it adds another dimension to your planning.

Together, these reports can help you:

• Make more informed decisions about international markets and commercial priorities.
• Strengthen your sales and marketing strategy with a clearer understanding of the market and your target organisations.
• Identify opportunities for growth by connecting wider market developments with the priorities of school groups.
• Plan with greater confidence using trusted international schools market intelligence from ISC Research.

What’s included

Global Market Overview 2026

The latest data and intelligence on the global international schools market, with data as of 1 July 2026.

• Market data by region, subregion and country: schools, students, teaching staff and fee income
• Curricula, examinations and fee levels by region
• School groups, accreditation bodies, associations and independent school brands
• Education technology and AI, wellbeing, and teacher recruitment and retention
• The financial landscape: ownership, investment and property models
• Geopolitics and regulation
• Market spotlights on Brazil, Italy, Poland, Thailand and Vietnam, plus an overview of Australia’s independent school sector
• Recently opened schools, the future school pipeline and the outlook for the market

International Schools Groups Report 2026

A look inside the organisations that acquire, develop and run a growing share of international schools.

• Governance and decision making: how authority is split between central, regional and school-level teams
• Procurement: where purchasing decisions sit and how group-wide buying works
• Technology: how groups choose and roll out systems across their schools
• Recruitment and retention: how groups attract and keep staff at scale
• Investment and growth: how groups measure performance, allocate capital and expand

Pricing

£1,690 for both reports. That saves £300 on the combined price of £1,990.
Add both reports to your basket and the £300 discount will be deducted at checkout.
ISC Research clients can get client pricing. Contact our Client Services team to access your client price.

Why ISC Research

ISC Research has tracked the international schools market for decades. Our field research teams cover the Americas, Europe and Asia (including the Middle East) and survey schools throughout each academic year. We also draw on a network of contacts in every key region.