Government expenditure on education, constant US$ in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Government expenditure on education, constant US$ was 1,854 millions in 2018. ◆ Volatile
Government expenditure on education, constant US$ in Sri Lanka, 1973–2018
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in millions.
Analysis
The most recent figure for government expenditure on education, constant us$ in Sri Lanka is 1,854 millions, measured in 2018.
That represents a change of down 21.6% on the previous year and up 62.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on education, constant us$ in Sri Lanka peaked at 2,766 millions in 2016 and was at its lowest, 306.49 millions, in 1975.
That places Sri Lanka 86th 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$ in Sri Lanka, year by year
| Year | millions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | 336.04 millions | — |
| 1975 | 306.49 millions | -8.8% |
| 1979 | 350.05 millions | +14.2% |
| 1980 | 390.25 millions | +11.5% |
| 1981 | 372.53 millions | -4.5% |
| 1982 | 406.43 millions | +9.1% |
| 1983 | 398.05 millions | -2.1% |
| 1984 | 378.91 millions | -4.8% |
| 1985 | 473.35 millions | +24.9% |
| 1986 | 537.93 millions | +13.6% |
| 1987 | 515.79 millions | -4.1% |
| 1988 | 564.93 millions | +9.5% |
| 1989 | 563.36 millions | -0.3% |
| 1990 | 524.52 millions | -6.9% |
| 1991 | 663.49 millions | +26.5% |
| 1994 | 833.7 millions | +25.7% |
| 1995 | 836.84 millions | +0.4% |
| 1996 | 982.01 millions | +17.3% |
| 1998 | 998.41 millions | +1.7% |
| 2009 | 1,140 millions | +14.1% |
| 2010 | 994.98 millions | -12.7% |
| 2011 | 1,134 millions | +14.0% |
| 2012 | 1,027 millions | -9.4% |
| 2013 | 1,151 millions | +12.0% |
| 2014 | 1,454 millions | +26.4% |
| 2015 | 1,720 millions | +18.3% |
| 2016 | 2,766 millions | +60.8% |
| 2017 | 2,364 millions | -14.5% |
| 2018 | 1,854 millions | -21.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 330.86 millions | 306.49 millions | 350.05 millions | 3 |
| 1980s | 460.15 millions | 372.53 millions | 564.93 millions | 10 |
| 1990s | 806.5 millions | 524.52 millions | 998.41 millions | 6 |
| 2000s | 1,140 millions | 1,140 millions | 1,140 millions | 1 |
| 2010s | 1,607 millions | 994.98 millions | 2,766 millions | 9 |
Countries ranked near Sri Lanka
More education data for Sri Lanka
- Theoretical duration of pre-primary education (years), annual growth 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Start of the academic school year (pre-primary to post-secondary non) 0.0494 % change on previous year (2025)
- Theoretical duration of lower secondary education (years), annual 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Theoretical duration of upper secondary education (years), annual 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Theoretical duration of secondary education (years), annual growth 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Start of the academic school year (tertiary education), gaps filled 2,024 tertiary education (2024)
- Start of the academic school year (tertiary education), annual growth 0.0494 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, teachers, gaps filled 73,333 (2023)
- Duration of pre primary education, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Duration of pre primary education 2 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is government expenditure on education, constant us$ in Sri Lanka?
- Government expenditure on education, constant us$ in Sri Lanka was 1,854 millions in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on education, constant us$ recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The highest recorded value was 2,766 millions in 2016.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on education, constant us$ recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The lowest recorded value was 306.49 millions in 1975.
- How does Sri Lanka rank for government expenditure on education, constant us$?
- Sri Lanka ranks 86th out of 174 countries with data for 2018.
- Is government expenditure on education, constant us$ rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
- Over the last ten years it is up 62.7%. 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 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