Expenditure on primary education in Jamaica

Jamaica: Expenditure on primary education was 34.2% in 2018. ▬ Flat

Latest (2018)
34.2%
Change on year
down 9.8%
World rank
62nd
of 149 countries
All-time high
50.1%
in 1973
All-time low
26.2%
in 1990
Years of data
32
1973–2018

Expenditure on primary education in Jamaica, 1973–2018

02040601973199520181973: 50.1 % of government expenditure on education1974: 45.9 % of government expenditure on education1975: 36.1 % of government expenditure on education1976: 32 % of government expenditure on education1977: 29.8 % of government expenditure on education1985: 31.8 % of government expenditure on education1986: 32.6 % of government expenditure on education1988: 38.4 % of government expenditure on education1989: 33.3 % of government expenditure on education1990: 26.2 % of government expenditure on education1991: 37.2 % of government expenditure on education1992: 33.1 % of government expenditure on education1993: 33.2 % of government expenditure on education1994: 35.6 % of government expenditure on education1995: 26.3 % of government expenditure on education1996: 29.3 % of government expenditure on education1997: 30.2 % of government expenditure on education2003: 36.4 % of government expenditure on education2004: 32.6 % of government expenditure on education2005: 34.2 % of government expenditure on education2007: 36.9 % of government expenditure on education2008: 30.2 % of government expenditure on education2009: 33.2 % of government expenditure on education2010: 36.3 % of government expenditure on education2011: 35.5 % of government expenditure on education2012: 37.2 % of government expenditure on education2013: 36.3 % of government expenditure on education2014: 36.4 % of government expenditure on education2015: 36.7 % of government expenditure on education2016: 35.9 % of government expenditure on education2017: 37.9 % of government expenditure on education2018: 34.2 % of government expenditure on education

Source: Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Measured in % of government expenditure on education.

Analysis

The most recent figure for expenditure on primary education in Jamaica is 34.2%, measured in 2018.

The figure is down 9.8% on the previous year and up 13.0% over ten years.

Over the whole period, expenditure on primary education in Jamaica peaked at 50.1% in 1973 and was at its lowest, 26.2%, in 1990.

Jamaica ranks 62nd of 149 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

Expenditure on primary education in Jamaica, year by year

Annual values for Expenditure on primary education (% of government expenditure on education) in Jamaica, 1973 to 2018.
Year % of government expenditure on education Change
1973 50.1%
1974 45.9% -8.5%
1975 36.1% -21.3%
1976 32.0% -11.5%
1977 29.8% -6.7%
1985 31.8% +6.7%
1986 32.6% +2.5%
1988 38.4% +17.8%
1989 33.3% -13.3%
1990 26.2% -21.4%
1991 37.2% +42.2%
1992 33.1% -10.9%
1993 33.2% +0.2%
1994 35.6% +7.1%
1995 26.3% -25.9%
1996 29.3% +11.4%
1997 30.2% +3.1%
2003 36.4% +20.5%
2004 32.6% -10.4%
2005 34.2% +4.9%
2007 36.9% +7.8%
2008 30.2% -18.1%
2009 33.2% +9.9%
2010 36.3% +9.4%
2011 35.5% -2.3%
2012 37.2% +5.0%
2013 36.3% -2.6%
2014 36.4% +0.4%
2015 36.7% +0.7%
2016 35.9% -2.2%
2017 37.9% +5.6%
2018 34.2% -9.8%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1970s 38.8% 29.8% 50.1% 5
1980s 34.0% 31.8% 38.4% 4
1990s 31.4% 26.2% 37.2% 8
2000s 33.9% 30.2% 36.9% 6
2010s 36.3% 34.2% 37.9% 9

Countries ranked near Jamaica

  1. 59 Saint Lucia 35.1% compare
  2. 60 San Marino 34.4% compare
  3. 61 Kiribati 34.3% compare
  4. 63 Malaysia 34.0% compare
  5. 64 Peru 33.9% compare
  6. 65 Cameroon 33.9% compare

See the full ranking of 173 places →

More education data for Jamaica

All data for Jamaica →

Frequently asked questions

What is expenditure on primary education in Jamaica?
Expenditure on primary education in Jamaica was 34.2% in 2018, according to Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
What is the highest expenditure on primary education recorded in Jamaica?
The highest recorded value was 50.1% in 1973.
What is the lowest expenditure on primary education recorded in Jamaica?
The lowest recorded value was 26.2% in 1990.
How does Jamaica rank for expenditure on primary education?
Jamaica ranks 62nd out of 149 countries with data for 2018.
Is expenditure on primary education rising or falling in Jamaica?
Over the last ten years it is up 13.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
Where does this Jamaica data come from?
The figures come from Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), published as part of Expenditure on primary education (% of government expenditure on education). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Expenditure on primary education in Jamaica. Statizoid, drawing on Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/stat/expenditure-on-primary-education-percent-of-government-expenditure-on-education/jamaica/

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About this data

Indicator
Expenditure on primary education (% of government expenditure on education)
Unit
% of government expenditure on education
Source
Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
173 places, 3,089 data points, 1970–2019
Last refreshed

Expenditure on primary education is expressed as a percentage of total general government expenditure on education. General government usually refers to local, regional and central governments.