Government expenditure on education, total in Zambia
Zambia: Government expenditure on education, total was 14.5% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Government expenditure on education, total in Zambia, 1981–2025
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 Zambia is 14.5%, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 5.7% on the previous year and down 13.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on education, total in Zambia peaked at 20.2% in 2014 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1981.
That places Zambia 65th out of 193 countries with data for 2025, putting it 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 Zambia, year by year
| Year | % of government expenditure | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 0.0% | — |
| 1982 | 0.0% | — |
| 1983 | 0.0% | — |
| 1984 | 0.0% | — |
| 1985 | 0.0% | — |
| 1986 | 0.0% | — |
| 1987 | 0.0% | — |
| 1991 | 0.0% | — |
| 1992 | 0.0% | — |
| 1993 | 0.0% | — |
| 1994 | 0.0% | — |
| 1995 | 0.0% | — |
| 1998 | 0.0% | — |
| 1999 | 0.0% | — |
| 2000 | 8.4% | — |
| 2004 | 10.6% | +26.7% |
| 2005 | 7.7% | -27.0% |
| 2007 | 6.2% | -19.4% |
| 2008 | 5.7% | -9.3% |
| 2010 | 19.9% | +251.5% |
| 2011 | 18.6% | -6.1% |
| 2012 | 17.5% | -6.1% |
| 2013 | 17.5% | -0.3% |
| 2014 | 20.2% | +15.4% |
| 2015 | 16.7% | -17.1% |
| 2016 | 15.7% | -6.4% |
| 2017 | 14.9% | -4.7% |
| 2018 | 17.1% | +14.4% |
| 2019 | 15.3% | -10.5% |
| 2020 | 12.4% | -19.1% |
| 2021 | 11.5% | -7.0% |
| 2023 | 13.9% | +20.4% |
| 2024 | 15.4% | +11.0% |
| 2025 | 14.5% | -5.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 7 |
| 1990s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 7 |
| 2000s | 7.7% | 5.7% | 10.6% | 5 |
| 2010s | 17.3% | 14.9% | 20.2% | 10 |
| 2020s | 13.5% | 11.5% | 15.4% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
- 62 Philippines 15.2% compare
- 63 Congo 14.7% compare
- 64 Korea, Democratic People's Republic of 14.6% compare
- 66 Djibouti 14.5% compare
- 67 Norway 14.5% compare
- 68 Russian Federation 14.3% compare
More education data for Zambia
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 42,585 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 169,961 (2013)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 1.39 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 4.49 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 2.55 % change on previous year (2017)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0002 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.2106 units per person (2024)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 4.49 million (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is government expenditure on education, total in Zambia?
- Government expenditure on education, total in Zambia was 14.5% in 2025, according to Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
- What is the highest government expenditure on education, total recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 20.2% in 2014.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on education, total recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1981.
- How does Zambia rank for government expenditure on education, total?
- Zambia ranks 65th out of 193 countries with data for 2025.
- Is government expenditure on education, total rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 13.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia 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.