Low & middle income vs South Africa: Government expenditure on education, total
Low & middle income
3.5%
in 2023
South Africa
6.0%
in 2024
Low & middle income rank
28th
South Africa rank
27th
Government expenditure on education, total over time
- Low & middle income
- South Africa
How they compare
South Africa currently reports 6.0% against 3.5% in Low & middle income, a difference of 2.5%.
That makes South Africa's figure about 1.7 times Low & middle income's.
Across all 24 years both countries report, South Africa has been ahead every year.
Low & middle income ranks 28th and South Africa ranks 27th of 46 groups.
South Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 4 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Low & middle income | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 3.4% | 5.3% | 1.9% | South Africa |
| 2000s | 3.4% | 4.6% | 1.1% | South Africa |
| 2010s | 3.7% | 5.5% | 1.8% | South Africa |
| 2020s | 3.6% | 6.3% | 2.6% | South Africa |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher government expenditure on education, total, Low & middle income or South Africa?
- South Africa, at 6.0% against 3.5% in Low & middle income as of 2024.
- What is the difference in government expenditure on education, total between Low & middle income and South Africa?
- 2.5%, with South Africa ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Low & middle income and South Africa?
- 24 years are reported by both, from 1999 to 2023.
- How do Low & middle income and South Africa rank globally for government expenditure on education, total?
- Low & middle income ranks 28th and South Africa ranks 27th of 46 groups.
- Where does this data come from?
- Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), published as Government expenditure on education, total (% of GDP). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
General government expenditure on education (current, capital, and transfers) is expressed as a percentage of GDP. It includes expenditure funded by transfers from international sources to government. General government usually refers to local, regional and central governments.