Education Expenditure (% of GDP) 2010
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 | 13.6 % of GDP |
2 |  Botswana | 8.1 % of GDP |
3 |  Denmark | 7.9 % of GDP |
4 |  Comoros | 7.6 % of GDP |
5 |  Burundi | 7.2 % of GDP |
6 |  Cyprus | 7.1 % of GDP |
7 |  Barbados | 6.7 % of GDP |
8 |  Bolivia | 6.3 % of GDP |
9 |  Belgium | 6.1 % of GDP |
10 |  Cabo Verde | 5.7 % of GDP |
11 |  Austria | 5.4 % of GDP |
12 |  Belarus | 5.2 % of GDP |
13 |  Brazil | 5.2 % of GDP |
14 |  Belize | 5.1 % of GDP |
15 |  Bhutan | 5.1 % of GDP |
16 |  Costa Rica | 5 % of GDP |
17 |  Aruba | 4.9 % of GDP |
18 |  Argentina | 4.9 % of GDP |
19 |  Canada | 4.9 % of GDP |
20 |  Australia | 4.7 % of GDP |
21 |  Antigua and Barbuda | 3.9 % of GDP |
22 |  United Arab Emirates | 0.9 % of GDP |
23 |  Afghanistan | NaN % of GDP |
24 |  Algeria | 4.3 % of GDP |
25 |  Bulgaria | 4.1 % of GDP |
26 |  Colombia | 3.9 % of GDP |
27 |  Brunei Darussalam | 3.7 % of GDP |
28 |  Bahamas | 3.6 % of GDP |
29 |  Benin | 3.6 % of GDP |
30 |  Anguilla | 3.5 % of GDP |
31 |  Chile | 3.4 % of GDP |
32 |  Andorra | 3.2 % of GDP |
33 |  Albania | 2.9 % of GDP |
34 |  Bahrain | 2.9 % of GDP |
35 |  Angola | 2.6 % of GDP |
36 |  Azerbaijan | 1.9 % of GDP |
37 |  American Samoa | NaN % of GDP |
38 |  Cameroon | 2.9 % of GDP |
39 |  Cayman Islands | 2.6 % of GDP |
40 |  Bangladesh | 2.4 % of GDP |
41 |  Solomon Islands | 2.2 % of GDP |
42 |  Chad | 1.9 % of GDP |
43 |  Bermuda | 1.2 % of GDP |
44 |  Bosnia and Herzegovina | NaN % of GDP |
45 |  Congo | 1.9 % of GDP |
46 |  Cambodia | 1.6 % 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 | 8.7 % of GDP |
54 |  Iceland | 7.5 % of GDP |
55 |  Kenya | 7 % of GDP |
56 |  Kyrgyzstan | 6.6 % of GDP |
57 |  Israel | 6.4 % of GDP |
58 |  Fiji | 6.2 % of GDP |
59 |  Jamaica | 6.2 % of GDP |
60 |  Guyana | 6.1 % of GDP |
61 |  France | 5.6 % of GDP |
62 |  Ethiopia | 5.5 % of GDP |
63 |  Finland | 5.4 % of GDP |
64 |  Ghana | 5.4 % of GDP |
65 |  Hungary | 5.4 % of GDP |
66 |  Grenada | 5.2 % of GDP |
67 |  Estonia | 5 % of GDP |
68 |  Ireland | 4.9 % of GDP |
69 |  Jordan | 4.9 % of GDP |
70 |  Dominica | 4.8 % of GDP |
71 |  Iran | 4.8 % of GDP |
72 |  Czech Republic | 4.6 % of GDP |
73 |  Côte d'Ivoire | 4.6 % of GDP |
74 |  Germany | 4.4 % of GDP |
75 |  Italy | 4.3 % of GDP |
76 |  South Korea | 4.2 % of GDP |
77 |  Greece | 4 % of GDP |
78 |  Croatia | 3.9 % of GDP |
79 |  Egypt | 3.8 % of GDP |
80 |  Gabon | 3.8 % of GDP |
81 |  Honduras | 3.8 % of GDP |
82 |  Kuwait | 3.8 % of GDP |
83 |  Japan | 3.7 % of GDP |
84 |  El Salvador | 3.6 % of GDP |
85 |  Indonesia | 3.5 % of GDP |
86 |  Guatemala | 3.2 % of GDP |
87 |  India | 3.2 % of GDP |
88 |  Georgia | 2.9 % of GDP |
89 |  Kazakhstan | 2.8 % of GDP |
90 |  Laos | 2.3 % of GDP |
91 |  Dominican Republic | 2.2 % of GDP |
92 |  Eritrea | 2 % 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 |  Lebanon | 2 % of GDP |
102 |  Guinea | 1.7 % of GDP |
103 |  Central African Republic | 1.3 % of GDP |
104 |  Cook Islands | 0.2 % of GDP |
105 |  Iraq | NaN % of GDP |
106 |  North Korea | NaN % of GDP |
107 |  Lesotho | 12.4 % of GDP |
108 |  Republic of Moldova | 8.2 % of GDP |
109 |  Maldives | 8.1 % of GDP |
110 |  Vanuatu | 6.9 % of GDP |
111 |  Norway | 6.7 % of GDP |
112 |  New Zealand | 6.2 % of GDP |
113 |  Morocco | 5.7 % of GDP |
114 |  Netherlands | 5.5 % of GDP |
115 |  Guinea-Bissau | 5.2 % of GDP |
116 |  Mongolia | 5.1 % of GDP |
117 |  Latvia | 5 % of GDP |
118 |  Mozambique | 5 % of GDP |
119 |  Poland | 4.9 % of GDP |
120 |  Malta | 4.8 % of GDP |
121 |  Mexico | 4.8 % of GDP |
122 |  Lithuania | 4.7 % of GDP |
123 |  Malaysia | 4.5 % of GDP |
124 |  Serbia | 4.5 % of GDP |
125 |  Monaco | 4.4 % of GDP |
126 |  Mauritania | 4.4 % of GDP |
127 |  Portugal | 4.4 % of GDP |
128 |  Romania | 4.4 % of GDP |
129 |  Malawi | 4.2 % of GDP |
130 |  Rwanda | 4.1 % of GDP |
131 |  Oman | 4 % of GDP |
132 |  Paraguay | 4 % of GDP |
133 |  Russia | 3.9 % of GDP |
134 |  Mali | 3.8 % of GDP |
135 |  Nepal | 3.8 % of GDP |
136 |  Luxembourg | 3.7 % of GDP |
137 |  Niger | 3.7 % of GDP |
138 |  Slovakia | 3.6 % of GDP |
139 |  Liberia | 2.7 % of GDP |
140 |  Liechtenstein | NaN % of GDP |
141 |  Panama | 3.8 % of GDP |
142 |  North Macedonia | 3.5 % of GDP |
143 |  Mauritius | 3.4 % of GDP |
144 |  Montserrat | 3.3 % of GDP |
145 |  Qatar | 3.3 % of GDP |
146 |  Madagascar | 2.9 % of GDP |
147 |  Libya | 2.7 % of GDP |
148 |  Mayotte | NaN % of GDP |
149 |  Montenegro | NaN % of GDP |
150 |  Niue | NaN % of GDP |
151 |  Pakistan | 2.9 % of GDP |
152 |  Philippines | 2.6 % of GDP |
153 |  Nigeria | 0.9 % of GDP |
154 |  Nauru | NaN % of GDP |
155 |  Suriname | NaN % of GDP |
156 |  Nicaragua | 3.1 % of GDP |
157 |  Peru | 2.7 % of GDP |
158 |  Papua New Guinea | NaN % of GDP |
159 |  Puerto Rico | NaN % of GDP |
160 |  Saudi Arabia | 5.7 % of GDP |
161 |  Saint Pierre and Miquelon | NaN % of GDP |
162 |  Saint Kitts and Nevis | 9.9 % of GDP |
163 |  Uzbekistan | 9.4 % of GDP |
164 |  Eswatini | 7.9 % of GDP |
165 |  Tunisia | 7.2 % of GDP |
166 |  Timor-Leste | 7.1 % of GDP |
167 |  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 7 % of GDP |
168 |  Namibia | 6.9 % of GDP |
169 |  Tanzania | 6.8 % of GDP |
170 |  Sweden | 6.7 % of GDP |
171 |  Saint Lucia | 6.3 % of GDP |
172 |  United Kingdom | 5.6 % of GDP |
173 |  United States | 5.5 % of GDP |
174 |  South Africa | 5.4 % of GDP |
175 |  Samoa | 5.4 % of GDP |
176 |  Switzerland | 5.3 % of GDP |
177 |  Ukraine | 5.3 % of GDP |
178 |  Vietnam | 5.3 % of GDP |
179 |  Slovenia | 5.2 % of GDP |
180 |  Yemen | 5.2 % of GDP |
181 |  Senegal | 5.1 % of GDP |
182 |  Seychelles | 5 % of GDP |
183 |  Saint Helena | NaN % of GDP |
184 |  Thailand | 4.9 % of GDP |
185 |  Burkina Faso | 4.6 % of GDP |
186 |  Trinidad and Tobago | 4.2 % of GDP |
187 |  Turkmenistan | 3.9 % of GDP |
188 |  Sierra Leone | 3.8 % of GDP |
189 |  San Marino | NaN % of GDP |
190 |  Singapore | 3.2 % of GDP |
191 |  Somalia | NaN % of GDP |
192 |  Syrian Arab Republic | 4.9 % of GDP |
193 |  Spain | 4.4 % of GDP |
194 |  Tajikistan | 3.5 % of GDP |
195 |  Turks and Caicos Islands | NaN % of GDP |
196 |  Tokelau | NaN % of GDP |
197 |  Tonga | 4.7 % of GDP |
198 |  Togo | 3.7 % of GDP |
199 |  Sao Tome and Principe | NaN % of GDP |
200 |  Venezuela | 3.7 % of GDP |
201 |  British Virgin Islands | 3.2 % of GDP |
202 |  Turkey | 2.9 % of GDP |
203 |  Tuvalu | NaN % of GDP |
204 |  Taiwan | NaN % of GDP |
205 |  Zimbabwe | 4.6 % of GDP |
206 |  Uganda | 3.3 % of GDP |
207 |  Uruguay | 2.9 % of GDP |
208 |  United States Virgin Islands | NaN % of GDP |
209 |  Zambia | 1.4 % 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
- #207Uruguay
- #206Uganda
- #205Zimbabwe
- #204Taiwan
- #203Tuvalu
- #202Turkey
- #201British Virgin Islands
- #200Venezuela
Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.
Analysis & Context
In 2010, Kiribati led the world in Education Expenditure (% of GDP) with a remarkable 17.8%, while the global range spanned from 0.20% to 17.80%. The average education expenditure worldwide was 4.57%, providing a benchmark for evaluating national priorities in educational investment.
High Investment in Education: Policy and Priorities
Countries with high education expenditure often reflect deliberate policy choices that prioritize education as a cornerstone of development. Kiribati, with its exceptional 17.8%, exemplifies this focus, likely driven by its small population and the need to invest in human capital for sustainable development. Similarly, Cuba, at 13.6%, demonstrates a long-standing commitment to education as a fundamental right, consistent with its socialist policies. In Africa, Lesotho spent 12.4% of its GDP on education, highlighting a strategic emphasis on education to combat high levels of poverty and unemployment.
These investments are often underpinned by a recognition that education is essential for economic growth and social stability. Such countries may also face unique challenges, such as geographical isolation or limited natural resources, making human capital development a critical pathway for progress.
Low Education Expenditure: Economic Constraints and Prioritization
At the lower end of the spectrum, countries like the Cook Islands and Equatorial Guinea spent just 0.2% and 0.6% of their GDP on education, respectively. These figures suggest differing national priorities or economic constraints. For instance, Nigeria, despite having Africa's largest economy, allocated only 0.9% to education, possibly reflecting competing demands for resources in a rapidly growing nation.
Such low expenditures can indicate a lack of fiscal capacity or a governmental focus on other sectors deemed more immediately essential. In some cases, political instability or economic hardships may divert attention and resources away from long-term investments in education.
Year-over-Year Changes: Significant Shifts in Education Spending
The year-over-year changes in education expenditure reveal insights into shifting national priorities. Tanzania saw the largest increase, with a rise of 4.60% (209.1%), suggesting a significant policy shift towards education, possibly in response to international aid or internal reforms aimed at enhancing educational access and quality.
Conversely, Yemen experienced the most substantial decrease, with a decline of 4.40% (-45.8%), likely influenced by ongoing political turmoil and economic instability, which redirected resources away from education. Similarly, Vanuatu and Guyana saw decreases of 2.60% (-27.4%) and 2.20% (-26.5%), respectively, potentially reflecting economic constraints or shifts in governmental focus.
Global Patterns and Implications
The global average of 4.57% in education expenditure highlights a moderate commitment to education, with stark contrasts between the highest and lowest spenders. Countries investing heavily in education, like Kiribati and Cuba, underscore the potential for education to drive social and economic development, especially in regions where other resources are scarce.
On the other hand, nations with minimal investment, such as the Cook Islands and Equatorial Guinea, may face challenges in achieving sustainable development goals, as education is a critical enabler of economic growth and social progress. The disparities in education expenditure also reflect broader issues of inequality and the varied capacity of governments to invest in their populations' future.
Overall, the 2010 data on education expenditure as a percentage of GDP provides a lens through which to view national priorities, economic capabilities, and the strategic importance placed on education across different countries. Understanding these patterns is crucial for policymakers, educators, and international organizations working to promote equitable and effective educational opportunities worldwide.
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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