Expenditure on education as a percentage of total government in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Expenditure on education as a percentage of total government was 7.2% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Expenditure on education as a percentage of total government in Sri Lanka, 1981–2024
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 Sri Lanka is 7.2%, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of down 16.8% on the previous year and down 33.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, expenditure on education as a percentage of total government in Sri Lanka peaked at 17.7% in 2016 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1981.
That places Sri Lanka 185th out of 197 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
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 Sri Lanka, year by year
| Year | UIS calculation | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 0.0% | — |
| 1982 | 0.0% | — |
| 1983 | 0.0% | — |
| 1984 | 0.0% | — |
| 1985 | 0.0% | — |
| 1986 | 0.0% | — |
| 1987 | 0.0% | — |
| 1988 | 0.0% | — |
| 1989 | 0.0% | — |
| 1990 | 0.0% | — |
| 1991 | 10.9% | — |
| 1994 | 12.7% | +16.8% |
| 1995 | 11.6% | -9.0% |
| 1996 | 12.7% | +9.8% |
| 1998 | 11.7% | -8.1% |
| 2009 | 8.3% | -29.1% |
| 2010 | 8.6% | +4.0% |
| 2011 | 9.1% | +5.9% |
| 2012 | 8.4% | -7.9% |
| 2013 | 9.4% | +12.2% |
| 2014 | 10.8% | +14.9% |
| 2015 | 11.0% | +1.2% |
| 2016 | 17.7% | +61.9% |
| 2017 | 14.5% | -18.2% |
| 2018 | 11.3% | -21.9% |
| 2020 | 5.5% | -51.7% |
| 2021 | 5.0% | -7.9% |
| 2022 | 5.3% | +6.1% |
| 2023 | 8.7% | +62.3% |
| 2024 | 7.2% | -16.8% |
Sri Lanka compared with similar countries
- Sri Lanka's 7.2% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 13.2%, 55% of the median. (53 countries reporting)
- Sri Lanka's 7.2% is below the median for South Asia, which is 11.3%, 64% of the median. (6 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 9 |
| 1990s | 9.9% | 0.0% | 12.7% | 6 |
| 2000s | 8.3% | 8.3% | 8.3% | 1 |
| 2010s | 11.2% | 8.4% | 17.7% | 9 |
| 2020s | 6.4% | 5.0% | 8.7% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Sri Lanka
More education data for Sri Lanka
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 155,543 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 0 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 224,799 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 214,300 (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 2.54 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 1.58 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -2.89 % change on previous year (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0715 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is expenditure on education as a percentage of total government in Sri Lanka?
- Expenditure on education as a percentage of total government in Sri Lanka was 7.2% in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest expenditure on education as a percentage of total government recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The highest recorded value was 17.7% in 2016.
- What is the lowest expenditure on education as a percentage of total government recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1981.
- How does Sri Lanka rank for expenditure on education as a percentage of total government?
- Sri Lanka ranks 185th out of 197 countries with data for 2024.
- Is expenditure on education as a percentage of total government rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
- Over the last ten years it is down 33.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sri Lanka 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