Government expenditure on education, total in South Africa
South Africa: Government expenditure on education, total was 19.1% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Government expenditure on education, total in South Africa, 1987–2025
Source: Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Measured in % of government expenditure.
Analysis
In 2025, government expenditure on education, total in South Africa stood at 19.1%.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 3.4% on the previous year and up 2.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on education, total in South Africa peaked at 20.5% in 2001 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1987.
That places South Africa 26th out of 193 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Government expenditure on education, total in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % of government expenditure | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 0.0% | — |
| 1988 | 0.0% | — |
| 1989 | 0.0% | — |
| 1990 | 0.0% | — |
| 1991 | 0.0% | — |
| 1993 | 0.0% | — |
| 1994 | 0.0% | — |
| 1996 | 0.0% | — |
| 1999 | 0.0% | — |
| 2000 | 0.0% | — |
| 2001 | 20.5% | — |
| 2002 | 20.1% | -1.8% |
| 2003 | 19.6% | -2.5% |
| 2004 | 19.9% | +1.7% |
| 2005 | 19.9% | -0.0% |
| 2006 | 18.0% | -9.6% |
| 2007 | 18.0% | +0.1% |
| 2008 | 17.9% | -0.7% |
| 2009 | 18.3% | +2.2% |
| 2010 | 18.0% | -1.4% |
| 2011 | 18.7% | +3.4% |
| 2012 | 19.7% | +5.4% |
| 2013 | 18.7% | -4.9% |
| 2014 | 19.0% | +1.6% |
| 2015 | 18.7% | -1.5% |
| 2016 | 18.0% | -3.5% |
| 2017 | 18.7% | +3.7% |
| 2018 | 18.9% | +1.0% |
| 2019 | 19.6% | +3.7% |
| 2020 | 19.7% | +0.3% |
| 2021 | 18.9% | -3.7% |
| 2022 | 18.9% | -0.2% |
| 2023 | 19.2% | +1.5% |
| 2024 | 18.5% | -3.4% |
| 2025 | 19.1% | +3.4% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 19.1% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 13.2%, 1.4× the median. (53 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 19.1% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 14.2%, 1.3× the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 3 |
| 1990s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 6 |
| 2000s | 17.2% | 0.0% | 20.5% | 10 |
| 2010s | 18.8% | 18.0% | 19.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 19.1% | 18.5% | 19.7% | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 23 Eswatini 19.2% compare
- 24 Peru 19.2% compare
- 25 Syrian Arab Republic 19.2% compare
- 27 Belize 18.9% compare
- 28 Iran, Islamic Republic of 18.8% compare
- 29 Micronesia, Federated States of 18.6% compare
More education data for South Africa
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 181,739 (2023)
- 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)
Frequently asked questions
- What is government expenditure on education, total in South Africa?
- Government expenditure on education, total in South Africa was 19.1% in 2025, according to Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
- What is the highest government expenditure on education, total recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 20.5% in 2001.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on education, total recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1987.
- How does South Africa rank for government expenditure on education, total?
- South Africa ranks 26th out of 193 countries with data for 2025.
- Is government expenditure on education, total rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa 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.