Government expenditure on education not specified by level, constant in South Africa
South Africa: Government expenditure on education not specified by level, constant was 470.8 millions in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
470.8 millions
Change on year
down 17.6%
World rank
19th
of 154 countries
All-time high
3,280 millions
in 2012
All-time low
0 millions
in 1987
Years of data
33
1987–2024
Government expenditure on education not specified by level, constant in South Africa, 1987–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in millions.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 470.8 millions for government expenditure on education not specified by level, constant in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 17.6% on the previous year and down 83.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on education not specified by level, constant in South Africa peaked at 3,280 millions in 2012 and was at its lowest, 0 millions, in 1987.
South Africa ranks 19th of 154 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Government expenditure on education not specified by level, constant in South Africa, year by year
| Year | millions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 0 millions | — |
| 1988 | 0 millions | — |
| 1989 | 0 millions | — |
| 1990 | 0 millions | — |
| 1993 | 0 millions | — |
| 1994 | 0 millions | — |
| 1996 | 0 millions | — |
| 1999 | 753.06 millions | — |
| 2000 | 820.61 millions | +9.0% |
| 2001 | 750.27 millions | -8.6% |
| 2002 | 733.1 millions | -2.3% |
| 2003 | 972.93 millions | +32.7% |
| 2004 | 1,272 millions | +30.8% |
| 2005 | 1,095 millions | -13.9% |
| 2006 | 1,185 millions | +8.2% |
| 2007 | 1,160 millions | -2.1% |
| 2008 | 1,779 millions | +53.4% |
| 2009 | 2,006 millions | +12.7% |
| 2010 | 1,915 millions | -4.5% |
| 2011 | 2,425 millions | +26.6% |
| 2012 | 3,280 millions | +35.3% |
| 2013 | 2,272 millions | -30.7% |
| 2014 | 2,797 millions | +23.1% |
| 2015 | 2,902 millions | +3.8% |
| 2016 | 2,716 millions | -6.4% |
| 2017 | 2,722 millions | +0.2% |
| 2018 | 2,708 millions | -0.5% |
| 2019 | 2,776 millions | +2.5% |
| 2020 | 482.27 millions | -82.6% |
| 2021 | 661.3 millions | +37.1% |
| 2022 | 539.61 millions | -18.4% |
| 2023 | 571.5 millions | +5.9% |
| 2024 | 470.8 millions | -17.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 0 millions | 0 millions | 0 millions | 3 |
| 1990s | 150.61 millions | 0 millions | 753.06 millions | 5 |
| 2000s | 1,177 millions | 733.1 millions | 2,006 millions | 10 |
| 2010s | 2,651 millions | 1,915 millions | 3,280 millions | 10 |
| 2020s | 545.1 millions | 470.8 millions | 661.3 millions | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More education data for South Africa
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 339,638 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 410,708 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 407,696 (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 5.50 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 7.52 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -1.44 % change on previous year (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.119 units per person (2023)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is government expenditure on education not specified by level, constant in South Africa?
- Government expenditure on education not specified by level, constant in South Africa was 470.8 millions in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on education not specified by level, constant recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 3,280 millions in 2012.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on education not specified by level, constant recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 millions in 1987.
- How does South Africa rank for government expenditure on education not specified by level, constant?
- South Africa ranks 19th out of 154 countries with data for 2024.
- Is government expenditure on education not specified by level, constant rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 83.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Government expenditure on education not specified by level, constant US$ (millions). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 33 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
About this data
February 2026 Data Release