Government expenditure on education, constant US$ (millions) in Ghana
Ghana: Government expenditure on education, constant US$ (millions) was 2,599 millions in 2018. ◆ Volatile
Government expenditure on education, constant US$ in Ghana, 1971–2018
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in millions.
Analysis
In 2018, government expenditure on education, constant us$ in Ghana stood at 2,599 millions.
That represents a change of up 16.8% on the previous year and up 27.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on education, constant us$ in Ghana peaked at 3,958 millions in 2012 and was at its lowest, 207.66 millions, in 1981.
That places Ghana 79th out of 174 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Government expenditure on education, constant US$ (millions) in Ghana, year by year
| Year | millions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 468.58 millions | — |
| 1972 | 539.36 millions | +15.1% |
| 1974 | 445.25 millions | -17.4% |
| 1975 | 610.11 millions | +37.0% |
| 1976 | 638.59 millions | +4.7% |
| 1977 | 644.21 millions | +0.9% |
| 1979 | 271.02 millions | -57.9% |
| 1980 | 309.52 millions | +14.2% |
| 1981 | 207.66 millions | -32.9% |
| 1982 | 211.07 millions | +1.6% |
| 1986 | 419.06 millions | +98.5% |
| 1987 | 432.9 millions | +3.3% |
| 1988 | 440.77 millions | +1.8% |
| 1999 | 906.8 millions | +105.7% |
| 2001 | 1,274 millions | +40.5% |
| 2004 | 2,081 millions | +63.4% |
| 2005 | 2,171 millions | +4.3% |
| 2006 | 1,602 millions | -26.2% |
| 2007 | 1,793 millions | +11.9% |
| 2008 | 2,041 millions | +13.9% |
| 2009 | 1,976 millions | -3.2% |
| 2010 | 2,222 millions | +12.4% |
| 2011 | 3,723 millions | +67.6% |
| 2012 | 3,958 millions | +6.3% |
| 2013 | 2,455 millions | -38.0% |
| 2014 | 2,427 millions | -1.1% |
| 2015 | 2,498 millions | +2.9% |
| 2016 | 2,559 millions | +2.5% |
| 2017 | 2,225 millions | -13.1% |
| 2018 | 2,599 millions | +16.8% |
Ghana compared with similar countries
- Ghana's 2,599 millions is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 806.8 millions, 3.2× the median. (42 countries reporting)
- Ghana's 2,599 millions is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 524.58 millions, 5.0× the median. (42 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Government expenditure on education, constant US$ (millions) in Ghana changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | +105.7% | 440.77 millions | 906.8 millions |
| 1986 | +98.5% | 211.07 millions | 419.06 millions |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 516.73 millions | 271.02 millions | 644.21 millions | 7 |
| 1980s | 336.83 millions | 207.66 millions | 440.77 millions | 6 |
| 1990s | 906.8 millions | 906.8 millions | 906.8 millions | 1 |
| 2000s | 1,848 millions | 1,274 millions | 2,171 millions | 7 |
| 2010s | 2,741 millions | 2,222 millions | 3,958 millions | 9 |
Countries ranked near Ghana
More education data for Ghana
- Gender gap education levels, gaps filled 95.93 (2024)
- Primary enrollment selected countries, gaps filled 95.23 (2024)
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 174,414 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 39,902 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 949,095 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 913,117 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 3.33 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 4.98 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 0.6567 % change on previous year (2022)
Frequently asked questions
- What is government expenditure on education, constant us$ in Ghana?
- Government expenditure on education, constant us$ in Ghana was 2,599 millions in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on education, constant us$ recorded in Ghana?
- The highest recorded value was 3,958 millions in 2012.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on education, constant us$ recorded in Ghana?
- The lowest recorded value was 207.66 millions in 1981.
- How does Ghana rank for government expenditure on education, constant us$?
- Ghana ranks 79th out of 174 countries with data for 2018.
- Is government expenditure on education, constant us$ rising or falling in Ghana?
- Over the last ten years it is up 27.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ghana data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Government expenditure on education, constant US$ (millions). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release