Expenditure on education as a percentage of total government in Australia
Australia: Expenditure on education as a percentage of total government was 12.6% in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Expenditure on education as a percentage of total government in Australia, 1980–2022
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in UIS calculation.
Analysis
The most recent figure for expenditure on education as a percentage of total government in Australia is 12.6%, measured in 2022.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 4.4% on the previous year.
Over the whole period, expenditure on education as a percentage of total government in Australia peaked at 15.0% in 1993 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1980.
Australia ranks 98th of 197 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Expenditure on education as a percentage of total government in Australia, year by year
| Year | UIS calculation | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 0.0% | — |
| 1982 | 0.0% | — |
| 1983 | 0.0% | — |
| 1985 | 0.0% | — |
| 1986 | 0.0% | — |
| 1987 | 0.0% | — |
| 1988 | 13.2% | — |
| 1989 | 13.4% | +0.8% |
| 1990 | 13.6% | +1.8% |
| 1991 | 14.1% | +3.5% |
| 1992 | 13.2% | -6.1% |
| 1993 | 15.0% | +13.7% |
| 1994 | 14.3% | -4.8% |
| 2020 | 12.2% | -14.9% |
| 2021 | 12.1% | -0.5% |
| 2022 | 12.6% | +4.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 3.3% | 0.0% | 13.4% | 8 |
| 1990s | 14.0% | 13.2% | 15.0% | 5 |
| 2020s | 12.3% | 12.1% | 12.6% | 3 |
Countries ranked near Australia
- 95 Saint Lucia 12.7% compare
- 96 New Zealand 12.7% compare
- 97 Ukraine 12.7% compare
- 99 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 12.6% compare
- 100 Thailand 12.6% compare
- 101 Trinidad and Tobago 12.6% compare
More education data for Australia
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 104,110 (1992)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 316,638 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 292,593 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 2.65 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 2.27 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 0.4362 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0835 units per person (2024)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is expenditure on education as a percentage of total government in Australia?
- Expenditure on education as a percentage of total government in Australia was 12.6% in 2022, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest expenditure on education as a percentage of total government recorded in Australia?
- The highest recorded value was 15.0% in 1993.
- What is the lowest expenditure on education as a percentage of total government recorded in Australia?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1980.
- How does Australia rank for expenditure on education as a percentage of total government?
- Australia ranks 98th out of 197 countries with data for 2022.
- Where does this Australia data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Expenditure on education as a percentage of total government expenditure (%) (UIS calculation). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release