Government expenditure on education, total in China
China: Government expenditure on education, total was 11.9% in 2023. ▲ Rising
Government expenditure on education, total in China, 1981–2023
Source: Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Measured in % of government expenditure.
Analysis
The most recent figure for government expenditure on education, total in China is 11.9%, measured in 2023.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on education, total in China peaked at 20.1% in 1994 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1981.
China ranks 115th of 193 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 16 years of available data.
Government expenditure on education, total in China, year by year
| Year | % of government expenditure | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 0.0% | — |
| 1982 | 0.0% | — |
| 1983 | 9.6% | — |
| 1984 | 9.8% | +2.1% |
| 1985 | 10.7% | +9.5% |
| 1986 | 10.4% | -2.3% |
| 1987 | 9.5% | -9.4% |
| 1988 | 10.7% | +13.6% |
| 1992 | 12.3% | +14.4% |
| 1993 | 14.8% | +20.2% |
| 1994 | 20.1% | +35.8% |
| 1995 | 18.7% | -6.7% |
| 1996 | 19.5% | +4.2% |
| 1998 | 14.6% | -25.4% |
| 1999 | 12.6% | -13.2% |
| 2023 | 11.9% | -5.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 7.6% | 0.0% | 10.7% | 8 |
| 1990s | 16.1% | 12.3% | 20.1% | 7 |
| 2020s | 11.9% | 11.9% | 11.9% | 1 |
Countries ranked near China
- 112 Bulgaria 12.0% compare
- 113 Netherlands 12.0% compare
- 114 Azerbaijan 11.9% compare
- 116 Bangladesh 11.9% compare
- 117 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 11.8% compare
- 118 Lithuania 11.7% compare
More education data for China
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 7.41 million (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 7,020 (2021)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 21.58 million (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 19.36 million (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 97.98 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 108.57 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 0.9587 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0771 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is government expenditure on education, total in China?
- Government expenditure on education, total in China was 11.9% in 2023, according to Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
- What is the highest government expenditure on education, total recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 20.1% in 1994.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on education, total recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1981.
- How does China rank for government expenditure on education, total?
- China ranks 115th out of 193 countries with data for 2023.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), published as part of Government expenditure on education, total (% of government expenditure). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
General government expenditure on education (current, capital, and transfers) is expressed as a percentage of total general government expenditure on all sectors (including health, education, social services, etc.). It includes expenditure funded by transfers from international sources to government. General government usually refers to local, regional and central governments.