China vs United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$

China
150,308 millions
in 2023
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
43,434 millions
in 2021
China rank
2nd
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank
4th

Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$ over time

  • China
  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
050.0k100.0k150.0k197119972023

How they compare

China currently reports 150,308 millions against 43,434 millions in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, a difference of 106,874 millions.

That makes China's figure about 3.5 times United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland's.

Across all 22 years both countries report, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has been ahead every year.

China ranks 2nd and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 4th of 164 countries.

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade China United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Difference Ahead
1970s 377.48 millions 2,460 millions 2,083 millions United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
1980s 1,596 millions 5,626 millions 4,030 millions United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
1990s 2,988 millions 12,889 millions 9,900 millions United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher government expenditure on tertiary education, us$, China or United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
China, at 150,308 millions against 43,434 millions in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as of 2023.
What is the difference in government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ between China and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
106,874 millions, with China ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for China and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
22 years are reported by both, from 1971 to 1999.
How do China and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank globally for government expenditure on tertiary education, us$?
China ranks 2nd and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 4th of 164 countries.
Where does this data come from?
UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$ (millions). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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China vs United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 05 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/compare/government-expenditure-on-tertiary-education-us-millions-2/china/united-kingdom/

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About this data

Indicator
Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$ (millions)
Unit
millions
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
164 places, 3,651 data points, 1970–2024
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release