Social and Emotional Learning Market

Market Overview

The global social and emotional learning market size was valued at USD 2, 084 million in 2021. It is estimated to reach USD 11,838 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 24.25% during the forecast period (2022–2030).

Social-emotional learning (SEL) is the method of developing the self-awareness, self-management, and interpersonal skills essential for school, work, and life success. Social and emotional learning (SEL) is an educational method that helps children and adults acquire socio-emotional abilities such as understanding and managing emotions, setting and achieving positive objectives, and establishing meaningful connections. According to the organization Collaborative on Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), based in the United States, the five core competencies of SEL are personality, social intelligence, interpersonal relationship, self-management, and responsible decision making. According to a global study by CASEL, SEL improves kids' academic performance, classroom conduct, and long-term employment prospects.

Multiple international governments and organizations are essential in promoting the incorporation of SEL within the core curriculum. In the United States, federal policy plays a crucial role in fostering conditions that facilitate the statewide and districtwide implementation of SEL so that all kids can reap its benefits. Social-emotional learning is a vital aspect of a well-rounded education, and evidence indicates that it contributes to the academic performance of adoption. For example, the study of meta-analysis findings by CASEL from a survey of 213 school-based SEL programs involving 270,034 kindergarteners through high school students revealed that evidence-based SEL programs produce a wide range of positive outcomes for students, including improved attitudes, decreased behavioral issues, and increased academic performance.

Market Dynamics

Global Social and Emotional Learning Market Drivers

The Increasing Initiatives by Government Organization

International organizations such as UNESCO, OECD, and the World Bank are pivotal in advancing the global agenda of transmitting SEL skills. These organizations provide funding and other support, such as policy frameworks for the education reform agendas of many nations. For example, UNESCO plays a significant role in managing the World Education Forum 2000 by helping to design the 2030 education agenda and Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. In addition, UNESCO has helped mainstream early education and development on a global scale. Similarly, The World Bank launched STEP (Abilities Toward Workplace and Productivity), a study that collects data on technical, foundational, social, and emotional abilities through employment interviews. STEP enables the comparison of worldwide skill-related data and the identification of skill gaps.

Governments across the globe have increased their expenditures on students' social and emotional well-being. This is notably true in the major economies of North America, Europe, and Asia. Additionally, there are several initiatives for which money has increased in recent years. According to the United States Department of Education, the Biden-Harris administration has taken several initiatives toward restarting most K-8 schools within the first 100 days of their administration. In addition, governments are increasingly urging schools to incorporate SEL into their curriculum. Scotland and Wales, for example, have devised innovative curricula that take an integrated approach to integrate social and emotional skills within their required curricula. Government actions in emerging Asian-Pacific markets are anticipated to increase demand for SEL solutions and services, driving their adoption by schools, educational institutions, and government authorities.

Global Social and Emotional Learning Market Restraints

The Huge Capital Requirement for SEL Across Developing Nations

Few obstacles prevent fully realizing the advantages of SEL and related technologies. Inadequate prioritizing, low knowledge, a lack of measuring consensus, inadequate funding and resources, and an insufficient supply of programs and goods are some of the challenges. In addition, stakeholders have yet to agree on a definition of SEL and a process for evaluating the implementation and measuring outcomes. Due to the absence of agreement, responsibility and resources are lacking. Costs connected with adopting SEL solutions and establishing teams to manage SEL programs in schools and educational institutions are much more than the amount spent on education in developing nations. Hiring employees to implement SEL costs thousands of dollars, a significant expense for schools in such countries.

However, the need for ICT solutions is substantially more significant in the private sector, which is steadily rising. In addition, the costs involved with teaching a student in the industry are incredibly costly, and the inclusion of such solutions in the curriculum is desired. However, introducing technologies like AI and ML may help address the stakeholders' learning and assessment concerns.

Global Social and Emotional Learning Market Opportunities

The Investments and Demand for SEL

EdTech investments are gaining steam globally, with venture capitalists, angel investors, and other organizations wanting to participate. The Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to be at the core of the global investment frenzy in EdTech companies. It is expected that the investment pattern in the Asia-Pacific will serve as a model for future investments, drawing the majority of worldwide investments in education solution providers. Furthermore, collaborations, acquisitions, and alliances are anticipated to be the strategic focus of regional vendors. Multiple studies found that the deployment of SEL solutions in elementary schools has a positive effect on the development of pupils. Education emphasizing social and emotional learning (SEL) has a good influence, as demonstrated by more than two decades of research. Consequently, there is an active demand for SEL in schools and other institutions of learning. This propels the social and emotional learning market, creating prospects.

Regional Analysis

The region-wise segmentation of the global social and emotional learning market includes North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World.

North America and Europe will dominate the regional market

North America will command the market with the largest share while growing at a CAGR of 23%. Various proponents of SEL-based learning with region-wide deployments exist in North America. Major regional players re-establish ties and collaborations to encourage as many schools and institutions as feasible to incorporate SEL into their curricula. In 2020, organizations such as the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) and the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence issued materials and advice that assisted educators in coping with the stress of distant learning and adapting to the new reality.

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) delivers practical online educational tools to teachers and students in the United States. The AFT has assembled valuable materials for educators and parents to support children's social and emotional needs. In addition, in 2021, Aperture Education bought Charlotte-based Ascend, a developer of goal-based student engagement software, due to increased demand. The acquisition enables Aperture to expand its high school SEL offerings by providing districts and after-school programs with a mobile-friendly software platform to involve students in their social and emotional development. These factors propel the social and emotional learning market in North America.

Europe will expand at a CAGR of 25.5% and hold USD 4,912 million. In Europe, social-emotional learning standards are being established. The emphasis is on growing a handful of the essential SEL skills and abilities that children must acquire and developing frameworks for schools and educators to allow space for these processes. Several European government regulations and policy documents are designed to foster individuals' social and emotional development. Following the Children's Act of 2004, the Every Child Matters initiative in the United Kingdom focuses on five core outcomes: being safe, healthy, enjoying and excelling, positively contributing, and achieving economic well-being. In most European countries, social and emotional skills (SES) are regarded as individual "competencies" in the policy. They include connection building and management, resiliency, the ability to influence and negotiate, initiative, teamwork, and leadership skills, as well as being creative, imaginative, flexible, and resourceful.

Segmental Analysis

The global social and emotional learning market is classified based on components, end-user, and region.

Based on the component, the categories include solutions and services.

The solutions section is projected to advance at a CAGR of 23.1% and hold the largest market share. The SEL solutions segment includes offers like platforms, tools, and software made available by suppliers. Due to buyers' preference for solutions, these solutions account for a disproportionate percentage of the market. With the rise of mobile devices, solution offerings special to mobile devices are gaining popularity, with numerous vendors focusing on providing solutions specific to such devices. With the increasing usage of ICT solutions in the K-12 sector, the demand for software packages that support a variety of devices used in the sector is accelerating in the education sector. The increasing number of EdTech companies across the globe is increasing the demand for market solutions. In addition, solution providers are investigating new opportunities by expanding their collaborations with schools and education departments and adopting innovative implementation strategies.

The services section will hold the second-largest share. SEL services include consulting, training, and planning and occupy a minor portion of the market compared to solutions. Due to these services, educational institutions and other institutions with extensive integration demands seek out applications. For children's social and emotional development, various publishers offer books that use the SEL approach to assist pupils in acquiring critical skills that will be useful not only in the classroom but throughout their life. Numerous schools have adopted a whole-child approach to SEL services to assist children in coping with stress and trauma.

Based on end-user, the categories include Pre-K, Elementary School, and Middle & High Schools.

The elementary school section is projected to advance at a CAGR of 22% and hold the largest market share. Educational proponents, like principals, teachers, parents, and lawmakers, firmly intend to implement SEL solutions for primary school pupils' academic and social skill development. Significant market suppliers' innovations provide indications of a rise in SEL use. For example, Nearpod introduced its Social Emotional Learning Curriculum in cooperation with Common Sense Education, which focuses on elementary school students as the target audience for fostering SEL competencies. Many organizations, like Aperture Education, Boston Children's Hospital, Character Tree, Character Strong, etc., provide schools with free social and emotional learning (SEL) materials.

The middle & high school section will hold the second-largest share. Social and emotional learning (SEL) initiatives in middle and high schools invest in the future of healthy youth-adult and peer relationships, curricula, and structural adjustments. Numerous organizations concentrate on developing SEL activities sensitive to teenagers' needs and involve and interact with communities and families. Numerous colleges research these programs and apply their findings on school atmosphere and structure to enhance the SEL abilities of middle and high school students. The online poll of 22,000 high school students conducted by the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence found that emotions significantly influence adolescents' lives. Researchers determined that middle and high school are crucial for teenagers' social and emotional development.

Recent Developments

In 2022, Committee For Children (Second Step) launched a new learning module, part of its Second Step® SEL for Adults professional development program for K–12 educators and leaders.