Government expenditure on education, total in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: Government expenditure on education, total was 15.6% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Government expenditure on education, total in Saudi Arabia, 1981–2024
Source: Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Measured in % of government expenditure.
Analysis
In 2024, government expenditure on education, total in Saudi Arabia stood at 15.6%.
That represents a change of down 1.3% on the previous year.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on education, total in Saudi Arabia peaked at 24.0% in 1998 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1981.
Saudi Arabia ranks 55th of 193 countries on this measure, 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, total in Saudi Arabia, year by year
| Year | % of government expenditure | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 0.0% | — |
| 1982 | 0.0% | — |
| 1983 | 0.0% | — |
| 1984 | 0.0% | — |
| 1986 | 0.0% | — |
| 1991 | 14.7% | — |
| 1992 | 14.7% | +0.1% |
| 1993 | 14.6% | -1.0% |
| 1994 | 16.8% | +15.4% |
| 1995 | 16.8% | +0.2% |
| 1996 | 15.3% | -9.5% |
| 1997 | 12.3% | -19.4% |
| 1998 | 24.0% | +95.0% |
| 1999 | 23.3% | -2.7% |
| 2000 | 17.8% | -23.5% |
| 2001 | 20.9% | +17.2% |
| 2002 | 21.3% | +1.9% |
| 2003 | 21.5% | +0.8% |
| 2004 | 20.2% | -5.9% |
| 2005 | 19.3% | -4.4% |
| 2006 | 21.6% | +12.0% |
| 2008 | 19.3% | -10.9% |
| 2023 | 15.8% | -17.7% |
| 2024 | 15.6% | -1.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 5 |
| 1990s | 16.9% | 12.3% | 24.0% | 9 |
| 2000s | 20.2% | 17.8% | 21.6% | 8 |
| 2020s | 15.7% | 15.6% | 15.8% | 2 |
Countries ranked near Saudi Arabia
More education data for Saudi Arabia
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 242,375 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 26,900 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 215,559 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 214,840 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 3.36 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 3.45 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 2.53 % change on previous year (2022)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0976 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is government expenditure on education, total in Saudi Arabia?
- Government expenditure on education, total in Saudi Arabia was 15.6% in 2024, according to Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
- What is the highest government expenditure on education, total recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The highest recorded value was 24.0% in 1998.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on education, total recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1981.
- How does Saudi Arabia rank for government expenditure on education, total?
- Saudi Arabia ranks 55th out of 193 countries with data for 2024.
- Where does this Saudi Arabia 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.