Applications from UK teachers to international school roles in South East Asia have risen significantly in recent years, according to new data from Tes’ Candidate Migration Report.

The region has emerged as one of the fastest-growing destinations for international educators, with Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore attracting increasing numbers of applicants. The trend reflects the rapid expansion of international schools across South East Asia and growing demand for qualified teaching staff.

South East Asia Sees Strong Growth in Teacher Interest

Applications to teaching roles in Malaysia increased from 2,939 in 2023 to 3,818 in 2025. Thailand also experienced strong interest from UK teachers, with applications rising from 6,606 in 2023 to 7,936 in 2024 before easing slightly to 7,203 in 2025. Tes notes that this decline may reflect a smaller overall pool of UK applicants globally during that year rather than reduced interest in Thailand itself.

According to the report, the South East Asian international school market has “surged in recent years”, with 15 per cent of the world’s international schools now located in the region, based on ISC Research’s 2025 South Eastern Asia Intelligence Report.

International School Numbers Continue to Rise

The expansion of the sector has been substantial. Between 2018 and 2023, the number of international schools across South East Asia increased from 1,600 to 1,940.

The report says:

“This strong interest looks set to continue with more schools such as Scotland’s Glenalmond College planning to open sister schools there this year, and major international school groups such as Nord Anglia Education acquiring institutions based in Bangkok.”

The continued growth of school networks and new campus developments is expected to support further recruitment activity across the region.

Middle East Applications Decline Amid Regional Conflict

While South East Asia recorded growing interest, applications from UK teachers to teaching roles in the Middle East fell sharply. Applications dropped from 11,282 in March 2025 to 5,598 in March 2026 amid ongoing regional conflict. Country-specific figures showed applications to the UAE declined by 55 per cent year-on-year, while Qatar recorded a 46 per cent decrease and Saudi Arabia experienced a 34 per cent fall.

April 2026 applications from UK teachers to Middle East positions also remained lower than previous years, standing at 5,476.

International Demand for Gulf Roles Remains Strong

Despite the reduction in UK applications, the wider international market continues to show strong interest in Gulf teaching opportunities. The report found that international applications, excluding UK candidates, increased by 45 per cent between March and April 2026.

Internal movement within the region, which had fallen by 34 per cent in March, recovered to near-normal levels by April, while departures from the region remained broadly stable. The UAE continued to be the world’s most popular destination for UK teaching applicants, attracting 10,645 UK applicants in April 2026 and 42,131 applicants across the whole of 2025.

Europe Loses Appeal Among International Teachers

The report also highlights declining interest in several European destinations. Applications to France fell from 2,041 in 2023 to 955 in 2025, while applications to the Netherlands dropped from 1,491 to 834 during the same period.

Spain, however, remains a popular choice for international educators. Overall, the number of UK applicants seeking overseas teaching positions increased from 112,477 in 2023 to 128,299 in 2024 before declining slightly to 121,212 in 2025.

Demand for Qualified Teachers Intensifies Globally

Dan Worth, international editor at Tes, said that short-term geopolitical events can influence where teachers feel comfortable applying, which was reflected in the March figures. However, he noted that the recovery in international applications and the stability of internal movement suggest that underlying demand for teaching roles in the Gulf remains strong. According to Worth, these changes may represent temporary fluctuations rather than a fundamental shift in the international education landscape.

He also highlighted that global competition for qualified teachers is intensifying. While short-term factors may affect application patterns, long-term trends continue to indicate strong demand in established markets such as the Gulf, alongside continued growth across Asia.