Education Expenditure (% of GDP) 2009
Education expenditure measures the percentage of GDP spent on education. Compare countries and explore interactive rankings and trends.
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Complete Data Rankings
Rank | ||
|---|---|---|
1 |  Cuba | 9.1 % of GDP |
2 |  Botswana | 8.7 % of GDP |
3 |  Denmark | 8.3 % of GDP |
4 |  Bhutan | 7 % of GDP |
5 |  Barbados | 6.9 % of GDP |
6 |  Bolivia | 6.4 % of GDP |
7 |  Cabo Verde | 6.3 % of GDP |
8 |  Cyprus | 6.3 % of GDP |
9 |  Belarus | 6.1 % of GDP |
10 |  Belgium | 6 % of GDP |
11 |  Austria | 5.4 % of GDP |
12 |  Belize | 5.3 % of GDP |
13 |  Brunei Darussalam | 5.2 % of GDP |
14 |  Canada | 5.2 % of GDP |
15 |  Burundi | 5.1 % of GDP |
16 |  Costa Rica | 4.9 % of GDP |
17 |  Aruba | 4.8 % of GDP |
18 |  Bulgaria | 4.5 % of GDP |
19 |  Antigua and Barbuda | 3.9 % of GDP |
20 |  Argentina | 3.8 % of GDP |
21 |  United Arab Emirates | 1.3 % of GDP |
22 |  Afghanistan | NaN % of GDP |
23 |  Algeria | 5.1 % of GDP |
24 |  Colombia | 4.7 % of GDP |
25 |  Australia | 4.5 % of GDP |
26 |  Benin | 4.4 % of GDP |
27 |  Anguilla | 4 % of GDP |
28 |  Brazil | 4 % of GDP |
29 |  Bahrain | 3.9 % of GDP |
30 |  Bahamas | 3.6 % of GDP |
31 |  Solomon Islands | 3.3 % of GDP |
32 |  Cameroon | 3.3 % of GDP |
33 |  Albania | 2.9 % of GDP |
34 |  Cayman Islands | 2.8 % of GDP |
35 |  Bangladesh | 2.7 % of GDP |
36 |  Angola | 2.4 % of GDP |
37 |  Andorra | 2.3 % of GDP |
38 |  Azerbaijan | 2.1 % of GDP |
39 |  American Samoa | NaN % of GDP |
40 |  Chad | 1.9 % of GDP |
41 |  Bermuda | 1.2 % of GDP |
42 |  Bosnia and Herzegovina | NaN % of GDP |
43 |  Comoros | 3.8 % of GDP |
44 |  Chile | 3.2 % of GDP |
45 |  Congo | 1.9 % of GDP |
46 |  Cambodia | 1.7 % of GDP |
47 |  Myanmar | 1.2 % of GDP |
48 |  Sri Lanka | NaN % of GDP |
49 |  Congo, Democratic Republic of the | NaN % of GDP |
50 |  China | 1.9 % of GDP |
51 |  Northern Mariana Islands | NaN % of GDP |
52 |  Kiribati | 17.8 % of GDP |
53 |  Djibouti | 8.4 % of GDP |
54 |  Guyana | 8.3 % of GDP |
55 |  Iceland | 7.6 % of GDP |
56 |  Israel | 6.9 % of GDP |
57 |  Kenya | 6.9 % of GDP |
58 |  Fiji | 6.5 % of GDP |
59 |  Finland | 6.4 % of GDP |
60 |  Ethiopia | 6 % of GDP |
61 |  France | 5.7 % of GDP |
62 |  Hungary | 5.5 % of GDP |
63 |  Ghana | 5.4 % of GDP |
64 |  Jamaica | 5.3 % of GDP |
65 |  Grenada | 5.2 % of GDP |
66 |  Estonia | 5.1 % of GDP |
67 |  Iran | 5.1 % of GDP |
68 |  Dominica | 5 % of GDP |
69 |  Jordan | 4.9 % of GDP |
70 |  Kyrgyzstan | 4.9 % of GDP |
71 |  Ireland | 4.7 % of GDP |
72 |  Germany | 4.6 % of GDP |
73 |  Côte d'Ivoire | 4.6 % of GDP |
74 |  South Korea | 4.6 % of GDP |
75 |  Croatia | 4.5 % of GDP |
76 |  Italy | 4.5 % of GDP |
77 |  Czech Republic | 4.4 % of GDP |
78 |  Greece | 4.4 % of GDP |
79 |  Egypt | 4.2 % of GDP |
80 |  Gabon | 3.8 % of GDP |
81 |  Honduras | 3.8 % of GDP |
82 |  Kuwait | 3.8 % of GDP |
83 |  Dominican Republic | 3.6 % of GDP |
84 |  Indonesia | 3.6 % of GDP |
85 |  Japan | 3.5 % of GDP |
86 |  India | 3.2 % of GDP |
87 |  El Salvador | 3.1 % of GDP |
88 |  Georgia | 3.1 % of GDP |
89 |  Laos | 3 % of GDP |
90 |  Lebanon | 2.7 % of GDP |
91 |  Guatemala | 2.6 % of GDP |
92 |  Eritrea | 2.4 % of GDP |
93 |  Gambia | 2 % of GDP |
94 |  Haiti | 1.4 % of GDP |
95 |  Ecuador | 1 % of GDP |
96 |  Equatorial Guinea | 0.6 % of GDP |
97 |  French Polynesia | NaN % of GDP |
98 |  Gibraltar | NaN % of GDP |
99 |  Greenland | NaN % of GDP |
100 |  Guam | NaN % of GDP |
101 |  Kazakhstan | 2.3 % of GDP |
102 |  Guinea | 1.6 % of GDP |
103 |  Central African Republic | 1.4 % of GDP |
104 |  Cook Islands | 0.2 % of GDP |
105 |  Iraq | NaN % of GDP |
106 |  North Korea | NaN % of GDP |
107 |  Vanuatu | 9.5 % of GDP |
108 |  Latvia | 5.1 % of GDP |
109 |  Lithuania | 5 % of GDP |
110 |  Liberia | NaN % of GDP |
111 |  Slovakia | 3.9 % of GDP |
112 |  Liechtenstein | NaN % of GDP |
113 |  Lesotho | 13 % of GDP |
114 |  Maldives | 8 % of GDP |
115 |  Republic of Moldova | 7.6 % of GDP |
116 |  Norway | 7.2 % of GDP |
117 |  Malaysia | 6.2 % of GDP |
118 |  New Zealand | 6.2 % of GDP |
119 |  Malawi | 5.8 % of GDP |
120 |  Mexico | 5.5 % of GDP |
121 |  Poland | 5.5 % of GDP |
122 |  Portugal | 5.5 % of GDP |
123 |  Netherlands | 5.3 % of GDP |
124 |  Guinea-Bissau | 5.2 % of GDP |
125 |  Malta | 5.1 % of GDP |
126 |  Mongolia | 5 % of GDP |
127 |  Mozambique | 5 % of GDP |
128 |  Mali | 4.5 % of GDP |
129 |  Monaco | 4.4 % of GDP |
130 |  Oman | 4 % of GDP |
131 |  Paraguay | 4 % of GDP |
132 |  Mauritius | 3.9 % of GDP |
133 |  Russia | 3.8 % of GDP |
134 |  Rwanda | 3.8 % of GDP |
135 |  North Macedonia | 3.5 % of GDP |
136 |  Luxembourg | 3.4 % of GDP |
137 |  Niger | 3.4 % of GDP |
138 |  Nepal | 3.4 % of GDP |
139 |  Montserrat | 3.3 % of GDP |
140 |  Madagascar | 3.1 % of GDP |
141 |  Nicaragua | 3.1 % of GDP |
142 |  Libya | 2.7 % of GDP |
143 |  Mayotte | NaN % of GDP |
144 |  Montenegro | NaN % of GDP |
145 |  Morocco | NaN % of GDP |
146 |  Panama | 3.8 % of GDP |
147 |  Mauritania | 2.9 % of GDP |
148 |  Niue | NaN % of GDP |
149 |  Nigeria | 0.9 % of GDP |
150 |  Nauru | NaN % of GDP |
151 |  Suriname | NaN % of GDP |
152 |  Romania | 3.5 % of GDP |
153 |  Qatar | 3.3 % of GDP |
154 |  Pakistan | 2.6 % of GDP |
155 |  Peru | 2.5 % of GDP |
156 |  Papua New Guinea | NaN % of GDP |
157 |  Serbia | NaN % of GDP |
158 |  Philippines | 2.5 % of GDP |
159 |  Puerto Rico | NaN % of GDP |
160 |  Saudi Arabia | 6.8 % of GDP |
161 |  Saint Pierre and Miquelon | NaN % of GDP |
162 |  Yemen | 9.6 % of GDP |
163 |  Uzbekistan | 9.4 % of GDP |
164 |  Saint Kitts and Nevis | 9.3 % of GDP |
165 |  Tunisia | 7.3 % of GDP |
166 |  Sweden | 7.1 % of GDP |
167 |  Namibia | 6.9 % of GDP |
168 |  Seychelles | 6.5 % of GDP |
169 |  South Africa | 5.4 % of GDP |
170 |  Senegal | 5 % of GDP |
171 |  Saint Helena | NaN % of GDP |
172 |  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 8.1 % of GDP |
173 |  Eswatini | 7 % of GDP |
174 |  Saint Lucia | 6.6 % of GDP |
175 |  Ukraine | 6.3 % of GDP |
176 |  Slovenia | 6 % of GDP |
177 |  Switzerland | 5.8 % of GDP |
178 |  United Kingdom | 5.6 % of GDP |
179 |  United States | 5.3 % of GDP |
180 |  Uganda | 5.2 % of GDP |
181 |  Tonga | 5 % of GDP |
182 |  Zimbabwe | 4.6 % of GDP |
183 |  Samoa | 4.3 % of GDP |
184 |  Trinidad and Tobago | 4.2 % of GDP |
185 |  Thailand | 4.2 % of GDP |
186 |  Turkey | 4 % of GDP |
187 |  Sierra Leone | 3.8 % of GDP |
188 |  San Marino | NaN % of GDP |
189 |  Singapore | 3.7 % of GDP |
190 |  Somalia | NaN % of GDP |
191 |  Spain | 4.2 % of GDP |
192 |  Syrian Arab Republic | 3.9 % of GDP |
193 |  Tajikistan | 3.4 % of GDP |
194 |  Turks and Caicos Islands | NaN % of GDP |
195 |  Tokelau | NaN % of GDP |
196 |  British Virgin Islands | 3.7 % of GDP |
197 |  Togo | 2.6 % of GDP |
198 |  Sao Tome and Principe | NaN % of GDP |
199 |  Timor-Leste | NaN % of GDP |
200 |  Tuvalu | NaN % of GDP |
201 |  Taiwan | NaN % of GDP |
202 |  Burkina Faso | 4.2 % of GDP |
203 |  Turkmenistan | 3.9 % of GDP |
204 |  Venezuela | 3.7 % of GDP |
205 |  Uruguay | 2.9 % of GDP |
206 |  Tanzania | 2.2 % of GDP |
207 |  Vietnam | 1.8 % of GDP |
208 |  United States Virgin Islands | NaN % of GDP |
209 |  Zambia | 2 % of GDP |
Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.
- #209Zambia
- #208United States Virgin Islands
- #207Vietnam
- #206Tanzania
- #205Uruguay
- #204Venezuela
- #203Turkmenistan
- #202Burkina Faso
- #201Taiwan
- #200Tuvalu
Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.
Analysis & Context
In 2009, Kiribati led the world in Education Expenditure as a percentage of GDP, spending a remarkable 17.8%, while the global range spanned from 0.2% to 17.8%. The average Education Expenditure (% of GDP) worldwide was 4.63%, providing a baseline for understanding global commitments to education funding.
Leaders in Education Investment
The top-performing countries in terms of Education Expenditure (% of GDP) in 2009 reveal a diverse range of economic and geographical contexts. Kiribati and Lesotho, with expenditures of 17.8% and 13% respectively, highlight a substantial commitment to education despite limited economic resources. This high expenditure often reflects national policies prioritizing education as a tool for development. Similarly, Yemen and Vanuatu, both exceeding 9%, demonstrate a prioritization of education in their national budgets, indicative of strategic investments in human capital.
Interestingly, countries like Cuba and Botswana, with expenditures of 9.1% and 8.7%, respectively, underscore a consistent policy focus on education as a means to foster societal progress and economic development. These nations often view education as a critical component of their socioeconomic strategy, aiming to enhance literacy rates and skill levels to drive future growth.
Challenges of Low Education Expenditure
At the other end of the spectrum, countries such as the Cook Islands and Equatorial Guinea spent only 0.2% and 0.6% of their GDP on education. These figures highlight significant challenges in meeting educational needs, often due to competing budgetary priorities or economic constraints. For instance, Nigeria, despite having Africa's largest economy, allocated merely 0.9% of its GDP to education, reflecting ongoing struggles with resource allocation amidst other pressing economic demands.
The United Arab Emirates and Central African Republic, with expenditures of 1.3% and 1.4%, respectively, exemplify varying national circumstances where education spending may not align with GDP size or economic ambition, often due to differing policy priorities or external economic pressures.
Static Trends in Education Expenditure
In examining year-over-year changes, the data reflects a static landscape with an average change of 0.00% in Education Expenditure (% of GDP). Despite expectations for dynamic shifts, top spenders like Kiribati and Lesotho maintained their expenditure levels, indicating entrenched policy commitments. This lack of change suggests that substantial shifts in education spending are often influenced by stable long-term strategies rather than short-term economic fluctuations.
This stability can be attributed to the complex nature of budgetary planning and the inertia within governmental policy frameworks that prioritize education. For nations like Yemen and Uzbekistan, maintaining high education expenditure is likely a reflection of ongoing national strategies aimed at improving educational outcomes despite potential economic volatility.
Global Education Expenditure Patterns
Analyzing global patterns, it is evident that higher education expenditures are often linked to countries with specific development goals. Nations like Saint Kitts and Nevis and Guyana, with expenditures over 8%, align their spending with goals to enhance educational infrastructure and access. These investments are crucial for driving economic growth and improving quality of life.
Conversely, countries with lower expenditures, such as Myanmar and Haiti, face challenges in adequately funding educational systems, which can impede progress in human capital development. These disparities highlight the importance of aligning education funding with broader development objectives to foster inclusive growth and development.
Overall, the data from 2009 underscores the critical role of education expenditure in shaping national development trajectories. The variations in spending reflect a complex interplay of economic capabilities, policy priorities, and strategic national goals that continue to influence global education landscapes.
Data Source
CIA World Factbook
The World Factbook, also known as the CIA World Factbook, was a reference resource produced by the US Central Intelligence Agency between 1962 and 2026 with almanac-style information about the countries of the world. From 1971 it was not classified, and available to the public in print since 1975, initially by the CIA, and later the Government Publishing Office.
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