Expenditure on education as a percentage of total government in Colombia
Colombia: Expenditure on education as a percentage of total government was 13.2% in 1999. ▲ Rising
Expenditure on education as a percentage of total government in Colombia, 1981–1999
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 Colombia is 13.2%, measured in 1999.
The figure is up 5.4% on the previous year and down 23.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, expenditure on education as a percentage of total government in Colombia peaked at 18.1% in 1984 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1981.
That places Colombia 89th out of 197 countries with data for 1999, putting it in the middle of the range.
Expenditure on education as a percentage of total government in Colombia, year by year
| Year | UIS calculation | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 0.0% | — |
| 1984 | 18.1% | — |
| 1985 | 16.4% | -9.3% |
| 1989 | 17.2% | +5.0% |
| 1998 | 12.5% | -27.6% |
| 1999 | 13.2% | +5.4% |
Colombia compared with similar countries
- Colombia's 13.2% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 13.2%, 99% of the median. (53 countries reporting)
- Colombia's 13.2% is below the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 13.4%, 98% of the median. (38 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 12.9% | 0.0% | 18.1% | 4 |
| 1990s | 12.8% | 12.5% | 13.2% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Colombia
More education data for Colombia
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 190,940 (2022)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 234,939 (2022)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 963,182 (2022)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 937,684 (2022)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 4.85 million (2022)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 4.14 million (2022)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -1.2 % change on previous year (2022)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2022)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.08 units per person (2022)
Frequently asked questions
- What is expenditure on education as a percentage of total government in Colombia?
- Expenditure on education as a percentage of total government in Colombia was 13.2% in 1999, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest expenditure on education as a percentage of total government recorded in Colombia?
- The highest recorded value was 18.1% in 1984.
- What is the lowest expenditure on education as a percentage of total government recorded in Colombia?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1981.
- How does Colombia rank for expenditure on education as a percentage of total government?
- Colombia ranks 89th out of 197 countries with data for 1999.
- Is expenditure on education as a percentage of total government rising or falling in Colombia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 23.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Colombia 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