Education Expenditure (% of GDP) 2013
Education expenditure measures the percentage of GDP spent on education. Compare countries and explore interactive rankings and trends.
Interactive Map
Complete Data Rankings
Rank | ||
|---|---|---|
1 |  Cuba | 12.9 % of GDP |
2 |  Kiribati | 11.6 % of GDP |
3 |  Denmark | 8.7 % of GDP |
4 |  Ghana | 8.2 % of GDP |
5 |  Cyprus | 7.9 % of GDP |
6 |  Botswana | 7.8 % of GDP |
7 |  Iceland | 7.8 % of GDP |
8 |  Bolivia | 7.6 % of GDP |
9 |  Comoros | 7.6 % of GDP |
10 |  Barbados | 7.5 % of GDP |
11 |  Finland | 6.8 % of GDP |
12 |  Aruba | 6.7 % of GDP |
13 |  Kenya | 6.7 % of GDP |
14 |  Belgium | 6.6 % of GDP |
15 |  Belize | 6.6 % of GDP |
16 |  Ireland | 6.5 % of GDP |
17 |  Jamaica | 6.4 % of GDP |
18 |  Costa Rica | 6.3 % of GDP |
19 |  Congo | 6.2 % of GDP |
20 |  Burundi | 6.1 % of GDP |
21 |  Estonia | 6.1 % of GDP |
22 |  Austria | 6 % of GDP |
23 |  France | 5.9 % of GDP |
24 |  Israel | 5.9 % of GDP |
25 |  Argentina | 5.8 % of GDP |
26 |  Kyrgyzstan | 5.8 % of GDP |
27 |  Lithuania | 5.7 % of GDP |
28 |  Benin | 5.4 % of GDP |
29 |  Belarus | 5.3 % of GDP |
30 |  Australia | 5.1 % of GDP |
31 |  Germany | 5.1 % of GDP |
32 |  Hungary | 5.1 % of GDP |
33 |  South Korea | 5.1 % of GDP |
34 |  Latvia | 5 % of GDP |
35 |  Ecuador | 4.9 % of GDP |
36 |  Ethiopia | 4.7 % of GDP |
37 |  Iran | 4.7 % of GDP |
38 |  Italy | 4.7 % of GDP |
39 |  Côte d'Ivoire | 4.6 % of GDP |
40 |  Czech Republic | 4.4 % of GDP |
41 |  Croatia | 4.4 % of GDP |
42 |  Fiji | 4.1 % of GDP |
43 |  Greece | 4.1 % of GDP |
44 |  Gambia | 3.9 % of GDP |
45 |  Grenada | 3.9 % of GDP |
46 |  Egypt | 3.8 % of GDP |
47 |  Japan | 3.8 % of GDP |
48 |  Kuwait | 3.8 % of GDP |
49 |  Guyana | 3.6 % of GDP |
50 |  Dominica | 3.5 % of GDP |
51 |  El Salvador | 3.4 % of GDP |
52 |  India | 3.3 % of GDP |
53 |  Laos | 3.3 % of GDP |
54 |  Guinea | 3.1 % of GDP |
55 |  Kazakhstan | 3.1 % of GDP |
56 |  Indonesia | 3 % of GDP |
57 |  Guatemala | 2.8 % of GDP |
58 |  Georgia | 2.7 % of GDP |
59 |  Antigua and Barbuda | 2.5 % of GDP |
60 |  Dominican Republic | 2.2 % of GDP |
61 |  Eritrea | 2.1 % of GDP |
62 |  United Arab Emirates | 1.1 % of GDP |
63 |  Afghanistan | NaN % of GDP |
64 |  Solomon Islands | 7.3 % of GDP |
65 |  Brazil | 5.6 % of GDP |
66 |  Cabo Verde | 5.6 % of GDP |
67 |  Algeria | 4.3 % of GDP |
68 |  Azerbaijan | 2.8 % of GDP |
69 |  Albania | NaN % of GDP |
70 |  Canada | 5 % of GDP |
71 |  Bhutan | 4.7 % of GDP |
72 |  Bulgaria | 4.6 % of GDP |
73 |  Colombia | 4.5 % of GDP |
74 |  Angola | 3.5 % of GDP |
75 |  Andorra | 2.9 % of GDP |
76 |  American Samoa | NaN % of GDP |
77 |  Anguilla | 3.5 % of GDP |
78 |  Bahrain | 2.9 % of GDP |
79 |  Bermuda | 2.6 % of GDP |
80 |  Bahamas | NaN % of GDP |
81 |  Djibouti | 8.4 % of GDP |
82 |  Chile | 4.2 % of GDP |
83 |  Cameroon | 3.2 % of GDP |
84 |  Cook Islands | 3.2 % of GDP |
85 |  Chad | 2.9 % of GDP |
86 |  Cambodia | 2.6 % of GDP |
87 |  Bangladesh | 2.2 % of GDP |
88 |  Bosnia and Herzegovina | NaN % of GDP |
89 |  Brunei Darussalam | 3.3 % of GDP |
90 |  Congo, Democratic Republic of the | 2.5 % of GDP |
91 |  Sri Lanka | 2 % of GDP |
92 |  Myanmar | 0.8 % of GDP |
93 |  China | NaN % of GDP |
94 |  Cayman Islands | NaN % of GDP |
95 |  Northern Mariana Islands | NaN % of GDP |
96 |  Central African Republic | 1.2 % of GDP |
97 |  Equatorial Guinea | 0.6 % of GDP |
98 |  French Polynesia | NaN % of GDP |
99 |  Gabon | NaN % of GDP |
100 |  Gibraltar | NaN % of GDP |
101 |  Greenland | NaN % of GDP |
102 |  Guam | NaN % of GDP |
103 |  Haiti | NaN % of GDP |
104 |  Honduras | NaN % of GDP |
105 |  Iraq | NaN % of GDP |
106 |  Jordan | NaN % of GDP |
107 |  North Korea | NaN % of GDP |
108 |  Lesotho | 13 % of GDP |
109 |  Republic of Moldova | 8.6 % of GDP |
110 |  Norway | 7.3 % of GDP |
111 |  Maldives | 7.2 % of GDP |
112 |  New Zealand | 7.2 % of GDP |
113 |  Netherlands | 5.9 % of GDP |
114 |  Montserrat | 5.8 % of GDP |
115 |  Portugal | 5.8 % of GDP |
116 |  Saudi Arabia | 5.6 % of GDP |
117 |  Mongolia | 5.5 % of GDP |
118 |  Malawi | 5.4 % of GDP |
119 |  Morocco | 5.4 % of GDP |
120 |  Malta | 5.4 % of GDP |
121 |  Mexico | 5.3 % of GDP |
122 |  Vanuatu | 5.2 % of GDP |
123 |  Malaysia | 5.1 % of GDP |
124 |  Poland | 5.1 % of GDP |
125 |  Mozambique | 5 % of GDP |
126 |  Mali | 4.8 % of GDP |
127 |  Rwanda | 4.8 % of GDP |
128 |  Nepal | 4.7 % of GDP |
129 |  Nicaragua | 4.7 % of GDP |
130 |  Serbia | 4.7 % of GDP |
131 |  Niger | 4.5 % of GDP |
132 |  Oman | 4.3 % of GDP |
133 |  Romania | 4.3 % of GDP |
134 |  Slovakia | 4.1 % of GDP |
135 |  Paraguay | 4.1 % of GDP |
136 |  Mauritania | 3.9 % of GDP |
137 |  Luxembourg | 3.8 % of GDP |
138 |  Mauritius | 3.7 % of GDP |
139 |  Liberia | 2.8 % of GDP |
140 |  Philippines | 2.7 % of GDP |
141 |  Qatar | 2.5 % of GDP |
142 |  Liechtenstein | 2.1 % of GDP |
143 |  Libya | NaN % of GDP |
144 |  Madagascar | 2.8 % of GDP |
145 |  Montenegro | NaN % of GDP |
146 |  North Macedonia | NaN % of GDP |
147 |  Monaco | 1.2 % of GDP |
148 |  New Caledonia | NaN % of GDP |
149 |  Niue | NaN % of GDP |
150 |  Nigeria | NaN % of GDP |
151 |  Nauru | NaN % of GDP |
152 |  Suriname | NaN % of GDP |
153 |  Panama | 4.1 % of GDP |
154 |  Russia | 4.1 % of GDP |
155 |  Peru | 2.6 % of GDP |
156 |  Pakistan | 2.4 % of GDP |
157 |  Papua New Guinea | NaN % of GDP |
158 |  Guinea-Bissau | NaN % of GDP |
159 |  Saint Martin (French part) | NaN % of GDP |
160 |  Puerto Rico | NaN % of GDP |
161 |  Saint Pierre and Miquelon | NaN % of GDP |
162 |  Namibia | 8.3 % of GDP |
163 |  Vietnam | 6.6 % of GDP |
164 |  South Africa | 6 % of GDP |
165 |  Slovenia | 5.7 % of GDP |
166 |  Senegal | 5.6 % of GDP |
167 |  Yemen | 5.2 % of GDP |
168 |  Syrian Arab Republic | 5.1 % of GDP |
169 |  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 5.1 % of GDP |
170 |  Seychelles | 4.8 % of GDP |
171 |  Saint Kitts and Nevis | 4.2 % of GDP |
172 |  Saint Helena | NaN % of GDP |
173 |  Sint Maarten (Dutch part) | NaN % of GDP |
174 |  Timor-Leste | 10.1 % of GDP |
175 |  British Virgin Islands | 4.3 % of GDP |
176 |  Sierra Leone | 3.6 % of GDP |
177 |  San Marino | NaN % of GDP |
178 |  Eswatini | 8.2 % of GDP |
179 |  Sweden | 7.3 % of GDP |
180 |  Tunisia | 6.2 % of GDP |
181 |  Tanzania | 6.2 % of GDP |
182 |  Samoa | 5.8 % of GDP |
183 |  United Kingdom | 5.6 % of GDP |
184 |  Switzerland | 5.4 % of GDP |
185 |  United States | 5.4 % of GDP |
186 |  Ukraine | 5.3 % of GDP |
187 |  Saint Lucia | 4.4 % of GDP |
188 |  Venezuela | 3.6 % of GDP |
189 |  Singapore | 3.3 % of GDP |
190 |  Somalia | NaN % of GDP |
191 |  Spain | 5 % of GDP |
192 |  Saint Barthélemy | NaN % of GDP |
193 |  Trinidad and Tobago | NaN % of GDP |
194 |  Tajikistan | 3.9 % of GDP |
195 |  Thailand | 3.8 % of GDP |
196 |  Turks and Caicos Islands | NaN % of GDP |
197 |  Tokelau | NaN % of GDP |
198 |  Togo | 4.6 % of GDP |
199 |  Tonga | 3.9 % of GDP |
200 |  Sao Tome and Principe | NaN % of GDP |
201 |  Burkina Faso | 4 % of GDP |
202 |  Uganda | 3.3 % of GDP |
203 |  Turkey | 2.9 % of GDP |
204 |  Tuvalu | NaN % of GDP |
205 |  Taiwan | NaN % of GDP |
206 |  Turkmenistan | NaN % of GDP |
207 |  Uruguay | 2.9 % of GDP |
208 |  Uzbekistan | NaN % of GDP |
209 |  United States Virgin Islands | NaN % of GDP |
210 |  Wallis and Futuna Islands | NaN % of GDP |
211 |  Zimbabwe | 2.5 % of GDP |
212 |  Lebanon | 1.7 % of GDP |
213 |  Zambia | 1.4 % of GDP |
Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.
- #213Zambia
- #212Lebanon
- #211Zimbabwe
- #210Wallis and Futuna Islands
- #209United States Virgin Islands
- #208Uzbekistan
- #207Uruguay
- #206Turkmenistan
- #205Taiwan
- #204Tuvalu
Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.
Analysis & Context
In 2013, Lesotho led the world in Education Expenditure (% of GDP) with a remarkable 13.0%, while the global range spanned from 0.60% to 13.00%. The global average for Education Expenditure (% of GDP) during this year was 4.82%, providing a benchmark for comparing individual nations' commitments to education.
High Education Expenditure: Policy and Economic Implications
The leading countries in education expenditure often show a strong commitment to advancing their educational systems as a means of fostering economic development and societal well-being. Lesotho and Cuba, with expenditures of 13.0% and 12.9% respectively, are prime examples. In Lesotho, the high expenditure is partly driven by efforts to improve literacy rates and educational access in a country where education is seen as a vital tool for economic empowerment. Similarly, Cuba's dedication to education is well-documented, with the government prioritizing educational access and quality since the mid-20th century to maintain high literacy rates and skilled labor.
In Denmark and the Republic of Moldova, with expenditures of 8.7% and 8.6% respectively, the high investment in education reflects a policy choice to sustain high standards of living and economic competitiveness through a well-educated workforce. These countries demonstrate how robust public investment can support social cohesion and economic resilience.
Low Education Expenditure: Challenges and Constraints
At the lower end of the spectrum, countries like Equatorial Guinea and Myanmar, with expenditures of 0.6% and 0.8%, face significant challenges. These low figures often reflect broader economic constraints, where limited fiscal space and competing priorities make it difficult to allocate more resources to education. In Equatorial Guinea, despite its oil wealth, the distribution of resources remains uneven, impacting public sector investments, including education.
In countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Monaco, with expenditures of 1.1% and 1.2% respectively, the low percentages may be misleading without context. These nations often rely on private education systems or benefit from smaller populations, where the absolute value of expenditure might still ensure high educational quality.
Year-over-Year Changes and Economic Shifts
Analyzing year-over-year changes provides insight into dynamic shifts in educational priorities and economic conditions. Congo experienced a significant increase of 4.30% (226.3%), indicating a strategic pivot towards improving educational infrastructure and access, possibly in response to economic growth or international pressure. Similarly, Cyprus saw an increase of 3.80% (92.7%), reflecting a post-crisis economic recovery strategy prioritizing human capital development.
Conversely, Timor-Leste witnessed a dramatic decrease of 6.70% (-39.9%), possibly due to shifts in government priorities or economic constraints that necessitated budget reallocations. Such decreases can have long-term implications on educational outcomes and future economic growth, emphasizing the need for balanced fiscal policies.
Global Patterns and Future Outlook
The data from 2013 highlights a diverse global landscape in education expenditure, with significant disparities between countries. These differences often stem from varying economic capacities, policy priorities, and demographic challenges. For countries at the higher end of the expenditure spectrum, the focus is often on maintaining or enhancing educational quality to support economic and social objectives. In contrast, nations with lower expenditures may need to address underlying economic and governance issues to increase their investment in education.
Looking ahead, global trends suggest that as countries recognize the critical role of education in driving sustainable development, there may be increased efforts to boost educational spending. However, the realization of this potential will depend on each country's economic trajectory, policy frameworks, and international cooperation.
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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