Government expenditure on education not specified by level, PPP$ in South Africa
South Africa: Government expenditure on education not specified by level, PPP$ was 1,104 millions in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
1,104 millions
Change on year
down 14.7%
World rank
15th
of 149 countries
All-time high
6,300 millions
in 2012
All-time low
0 millions
in 1987
Years of data
33
1987–2024
Government expenditure on education not specified by level, PPP$ in South Africa, 1987–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in millions.
Analysis
The most recent figure for government expenditure on education not specified by level, ppp$ in South Africa is 1,104 millions, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of down 14.7% on the previous year and down 79.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on education not specified by level, ppp$ in South Africa peaked at 6,300 millions in 2012 and was at its lowest, 0 millions, in 1987.
South Africa ranks 15th of 149 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Government expenditure on education not specified by level, PPP$ 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 | 1,109 millions | — |
| 2000 | 1,225 millions | +10.5% |
| 2001 | 1,146 millions | -6.5% |
| 2002 | 1,145 millions | -0.1% |
| 2003 | 1,543 millions | +34.8% |
| 2004 | 2,057 millions | +33.3% |
| 2005 | 1,817 millions | -11.6% |
| 2006 | 2,029 millions | +11.6% |
| 2007 | 2,047 millions | +0.9% |
| 2008 | 3,225 millions | +57.5% |
| 2009 | 3,706 millions | +14.9% |
| 2010 | 3,561 millions | -3.9% |
| 2011 | 4,564 millions | +28.2% |
| 2012 | 6,300 millions | +38.0% |
| 2013 | 4,273 millions | -32.2% |
| 2014 | 5,372 millions | +25.7% |
| 2015 | 5,585 millions | +4.0% |
| 2016 | 5,278 millions | -5.5% |
| 2017 | 5,353 millions | +1.4% |
| 2018 | 5,385 millions | +0.6% |
| 2019 | 5,370 millions | -0.3% |
| 2020 | 947.04 millions | -82.4% |
| 2021 | 1,334 millions | +40.9% |
| 2022 | 1,140 millions | -14.6% |
| 2023 | 1,293 millions | +13.5% |
| 2024 | 1,104 millions | -14.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 0 millions | 0 millions | 0 millions | 3 |
| 1990s | 221.73 millions | 0 millions | 1,109 millions | 5 |
| 2000s | 1,994 millions | 1,145 millions | 3,706 millions | 10 |
| 2010s | 5,104 millions | 3,561 millions | 6,300 millions | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,163 millions | 947.04 millions | 1,334 millions | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 12 Macau, China 1,561 millions compare
- 13 Panama 1,208 millions compare
- 14 Dominican Republic 1,168 millions compare
- 16 Ghana 1,072 millions compare
- 17 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 1,043 millions compare
- 18 Honduras 851.48 millions compare
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, ppp$ in South Africa?
- Government expenditure on education not specified by level, ppp$ in South Africa was 1,104 millions in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on education not specified by level, ppp$ recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 6,300 millions in 2012.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on education not specified by level, ppp$ 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, ppp$?
- South Africa ranks 15th out of 149 countries with data for 2024.
- Is government expenditure on education not specified by level, ppp$ rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 79.5%. 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, PPP$ (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