Canada vs European Union: Expenditure on tertiary education

Canada
35.6%
in 2011
European Union
21.8%
in 2016
Canada rank
11th
European Union rank
10th

Expenditure on tertiary education over time

  • Canada
  • European Union
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How they compare

Canada currently reports 35.6% against 21.8% in European Union, a difference of 13.8%.

That makes Canada's figure about 1.6 times European Union's.

Across all 16 years both countries report, Canada has been ahead every year.

Canada ranks 11th and European Union ranks 10th of 160 countries.

Canada has averaged higher in every one of the 5 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Canada European Union Difference Ahead
1970s 30.5% 16.3% 14.2% Canada
1980s 30.8% 19.5% 11.4% Canada
1990s 31.3% 19.3% 11.9% Canada
2000s 35.8% 22.7% 13.1% Canada
2010s 35.5% 22.9% 12.6% Canada

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher expenditure on tertiary education, Canada or European Union?
Canada, at 35.6% against 21.8% in European Union as of 2011.
What is the difference in expenditure on tertiary education between Canada and European Union?
13.8%, with Canada ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Canada and European Union?
16 years are reported by both, from 1974 to 2011.
How do Canada and European Union rank globally for expenditure on tertiary education?
Canada ranks 11th and European Union ranks 10th of 160 countries.
Where does this data come from?
Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), published as Expenditure on tertiary education (% of government expenditure on education). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Canada vs European Union: Expenditure on tertiary education. Statizoid, drawing on Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Retrieved 15 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/compare/expenditure-on-tertiary-education-percent-of-government-expenditure-on-education/canada/european-union/

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About this data

Indicator
Expenditure on tertiary education (% of government expenditure on education)
Unit
% of government expenditure on education
Source
Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
197 places, 3,723 data points, 1970–2019
Last refreshed

Expenditure on tertiary education is expressed as a percentage of total general government expenditure on education. General government usually refers to local, regional and central governments.