> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://newsletters.qs.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 🍃 Global fuel prices surge. South Asia sees falling unemployment gap. Gulf water production is driven by desalination. - URL: https://newsletters.qs.com/global-fuel-prices-surge-south-asia-sees-falling-unemployment-gap-gulf-water-production-is-driven-by-desalination/ - Published: 2026-04-22T11:30:55.000Z - Updated: 2026-04-22T11:30:55.000Z - Description: Chart of the Day #589 looks at the educated population in South Asia facing unemployment, fuel prices and desalinated water production in the Gulf. - Author: QS - Tags: Charts **Hello 👋** French Ministry of Education [launches](https://sanslimitesn.com/le-ministere-de-leducation-lance-sa-bibliotheque-numerique/?ref=newsletters.qs.com#google%5Fvignette) digital library. Louisiana [approves](https://nationaltoday.com/us/la/baton-rouge/news/2026/04/16/louisiana-overhauls-k-12-literacy-standards-to-emphasize-phonics-grammar-and-cursive/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) new literacy standards. IBM and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are linking supercomputers and quantum systems for[ AI research.](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ibm-and-the-university-of-illinois-urbana-champaign-expand-discovery-accelerator-institute-to-advance-ai-and-quantum-computing-302744990.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com) ### Today's Topics 🎓 **Higher Education.** The unemployment gap declined in South Asia 🍃 **Green Skills.** Global fuel prices spike 🏭 **Advanced Manufacturing.** Gulf water production is heavily reliant on desalination Thanks for reading! **Not a subscriber yet?** [Subscribe now](https://newsletters.qs.com/#/portal/) --- ## 🎓 The unemployment gap declined in South Asia ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2026/04/data-src-image-a6eb9df0-d6b0-4dce-a8b8-21d1b0566126.png) The share of unemployed individuals with higher education in South Asia declined by over 2 percentage points from 2018 to 2023\. The decrease presents[ an improvement in job absorption](https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/endpovertyinsouthasia/case-regional-cooperation-south-asian-higher-education?ref=newsletters.qs.com) for graduates across the region. Expanding opportunities in [technology driven sectors,](https://avathon.com/blog/ai-drives-opportunity-in-south-asia/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) particularly AI and digital services, are creating new roles for skilled workers. Growth in outsourcing, startups, and digital platforms is increasing demand for educated talent.[ The Digital Economy Initiative](https://www.digitaleconomyinitiative.org/?ref=newsletters.qs.com), supported by the World Bank, promotes skills development and tech employment. ## 🍃 Global fuel prices spike ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2026/04/data-src-image-b2cc15aa-9923-4ca1-a040-8434f2a9fd2d.png) Global fuel prices range from $3.90 per litre in Hong Kong to $0.03 in Iran in March 2026\. The wide gap reflects taxation, subsidies and supply conditions. Higher prices in Europe and Hong Kong are linked to environmental taxes and[ import dependence,](https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/wdn-20260318-1?ref=newsletters.qs.com) while lower prices in Russia and Iran reflect domestic production and price controls and subsidies. [Energy pricing reforms](https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2022-11/UNDP%20Brief%5FEnergy%20Pricing%20for%20Developing%20Countries%20%281%29.pdf?ref=newsletters.qs.com) and subsidy adjustments by governments continue to shape fuel affordability and demand. ## 🏭 Gulf water production is heavily reliant on desalination ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2026/04/data-src-image-b247a2b5-3b8f-4287-801c-5b99a3a1e6ab.png) Desalinated water production in the Gulf reaches 3 billion m³ in Saudi Arabia and 1.9 billion m³ in the UAE in 2026, reflecting heavy reliance on desalination. The high output is driven by arid desert climates with limited natural freshwater sources. [Large-scale desalination plants](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/12/how-much-of-the-gulfs-water-comes-from-desalination-plants?ref=newsletters.qs.com) use advanced manufacturing systems, including filtration membranes and energy-intensive processes, linking [water supply to industrial infrastructure](https://edition.cnn.com/2026/03/11/climate/gulf-iran-war-water-desalination?ref=newsletters.qs.com). Rising costs highlight the need for efficiency and innovation. The [GCC Water Strategy](https://www.deswater.com/DWT%5Farticles/vol%5F81%5Fpapers/81%5F2017%5F1.pdf?ref=newsletters.qs.com), led by the Gulf Cooperation Council, supports sustainable water production. --- **Like getting this newsletter?* Request a demo for unlimited access to over one million charts* [Request a Demo](https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/2C1%5FV5ni4SEyLILjrqcyQnQfigrs?%5F%5Fhstc=246933147.4a0f9c817dbdb1552dab36c635584622.1688407869224.1749831404162.1749845959660.481&%5F%5Fhssc=246933147.4.1749845959660&%5F%5Fhsfp=4268195782&ref=newsletters.qs.com) --- **Thank you for reading. Have a great week ahead!** Have some feedback or want to sponsor this newsletter? Let us know at [qs.com.](https://www.qs.com/contact-us/?ref=newsletters.qs.com)