Government Spending on Education by Country (% of GDP) – 2025 Data

Public education expenditure, measured as a percentage of GDP, reflects a country’s commitment to investing in its educational systems. This expenditure funds critical areas such as school infrastructure, teacher salaries, student resources, and programs that aim to improve accessibility and quality. Countries with higher investments often see better educational outcomes, a more skilled workforce, and long-term economic benefits.

According to the latest global data, the average public education expenditure worldwide is 3.8% of GDP. While many developed and developing nations strive to meet or exceed this benchmark, significant disparities exist across regions. In this article, we explore the global landscape of education spending, highlight the top 10 countries with the highest public education expenditure, and analyze global trends over the years.

Top 10 Countries with the Highest Public Education Expenditure

  1. Kiribati: 14.2%
  2. Tuvalu: 12.8%
  3. Vanuatu: 10.6%
  4. Micronesia: 10.5%
  5. Cuba: 9.4%
  6. Namibia: 9%
  7. Solomon Islands: 8.3%
  8. Botswana: 8.1%
  9. Nauru: 7.8%
  10. Bolivia: 7.6%

Small island nations like Kiribati, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu lead global public education spending as a percentage of GDP, prioritizing education to uplift their communities and overcome geographical challenges. Micronesia and Cuba also make significant investments, with Cuba emphasizing its socialist ideals to maintain one of the highest literacy rates in the world. Namibia, Botswana, and the Solomon Islands are standout performers in Africa, where public education is essential for driving social and economic development. Finally, Nauru and Bolivia round out the list, showcasing their dedication to improving educational access and quality for their populations.

Full Table (Source: World Bank)

wdt_ID wdt_created_by wdt_created_at wdt_last_edited_by wdt_last_edited_at Country Public Education Expenditure (% of GDP) Most Recent Year
1mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMKiribati14.202,021
2mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMTuvalu12.802,023
3mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMVanuatu10.602,023
4mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMMicronesia10.502,020
5mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMCuba9.402,021
6mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMNamibia9.002,023
7mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMSolomon Islands8.302,023
8mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMBotswana8.102,020
9mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMNauru7.802,022
10mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMBolivia7.602,022
11mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMSweden7.602,021
12mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMMarshall Islands7.502,022
13mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMSt. Vincent and the Grenadines7.202,022
14mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMIceland7.102,022
15mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMVenezuela6.902,009
16mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMKyrgyz Republic6.802,023
17mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMSierra Leone6.802,023
18mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMLesotho6.702,023
19mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMTunisia6.702,023
20mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMFinland6.502,021
21mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMIsrael6.502,022
22mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMBelgium6.402,021
23mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMEswatini6.302,023
24mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMMoldova6.302,023
25mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMCosta Rica6.202,021
26mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMMacao SAR, China6.202,022
27mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMMozambique6.202,022
28mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMPuerto Rico6.102,014
29mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMSamoa6.102,023
30mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMSouth Africa6.102,023
31mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMMorocco6.002,023
32mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMSenegal6.002,022
33mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMUkraine5.902,022
34mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMBhutan5.802,023
35mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMTajikistan5.802,023
36mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMJamaica5.702,023
37mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMAlgeria5.602,023
38mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMBrazil5.502,021
39mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMUzbekistan5.502,023
40mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMYemen, Rep.5.502,012
41mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMFrance5.402,021
42mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMMalta5.402,021
43mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMSlovenia5.402,021
44mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMUnited States5.402,021
45mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMWest Bank and Gaza5.402,021
46mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMBurkina Faso5.302,022
47mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMDenmark5.302,022
48mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMEstonia5.302,021
49mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMAustralia5.202,022
50mfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMmfk97mfk08/12/2024 03:27 PMCyprus5.202,021

Global Public Education Expenditure by Year

Global public education expenditure has fluctuated over the past two decades, peaking at 4.5% of GDP in 2009, likely due to economic stimulus efforts following the global financial crisis. In recent years, spending has slightly declined, reaching 3.77% in 2022, reflecting budgetary constraints in some nations. Despite this, education remains a priority for many countries, with significant progress made in expanding access to primary and secondary education.

Why Public Education Investment Matters

  • Impact on Economic Growth and Development: Investing in public education contributes to a nation’s economic growth by creating a skilled and knowledgeable workforce. Higher expenditures correlate with better educational infrastructure, access to quality teachers, and improved outcomes, leading to enhanced productivity and innovation.
  • Addressing Inequalities Through Education: For many developing nations, public education spending is a key tool to reduce inequalities and lift communities out of poverty. Countries with high expenditures often allocate resources toward underserved areas, ensuring that education is accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic background.

Challenges in Public Education Financing

While high public education expenditure is commendable, it doesn’t always guarantee quality outcomes. Some countries face challenges such as inefficient resource allocation, corruption, and lack of accountability. Ensuring that education budgets are effectively utilized is critical to maximizing the impact of these investments.

Public education expenditure as a percentage of GDP offers valuable insights into a country’s priorities and commitment to its citizens. The nations leading in education spending showcase how investments can transform societies, while global averages highlight the need for continued focus on funding this essential sector. By bridging gaps in access and quality, education remains a powerful tool for building a brighter future worldwide.


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