Government expenditure on education, US$ in China
China: Government expenditure on education, US$ was 712,020 millions in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Government expenditure on education, US$ in China, 1971–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in millions.
Analysis
The most recent figure for government expenditure on education, us$ in China is 712,020 millions, measured in 2023. That is the highest value across all 26 years on record.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on education, us$ in China peaked at 712,020 millions in 2023 and was at its lowest, 1,386 millions, in 1971.
China ranks 2nd of 181 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, US$ in China, year by year
| Year | millions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 1,386 millions | — |
| 1972 | 1,824 millions | +31.6% |
| 1973 | 2,287 millions | +25.4% |
| 1974 | 2,539 millions | +11.0% |
| 1975 | 2,792 millions | +10.0% |
| 1976 | 2,796 millions | +0.2% |
| 1977 | 3,061 millions | +9.4% |
| 1978 | 2,929 millions | -4.3% |
| 1979 | 3,830 millions | +30.7% |
| 1980 | 3,655 millions | -4.6% |
| 1981 | 3,817 millions | +4.4% |
| 1982 | 4,173 millions | +9.3% |
| 1983 | 4,791 millions | +14.8% |
| 1984 | 5,195 millions | +8.4% |
| 1985 | 6,215 millions | +19.6% |
| 1986 | 6,200 millions | -0.2% |
| 1987 | 4,925 millions | -20.6% |
| 1988 | 5,510 millions | +11.9% |
| 1992 | 7,064 millions | +28.2% |
| 1993 | 7,373 millions | +4.4% |
| 1994 | 11,206 millions | +52.0% |
| 1995 | 13,529 millions | +20.7% |
| 1996 | 16,009 millions | +18.3% |
| 1998 | 18,979 millions | +18.6% |
| 1999 | 20,655 millions | +8.8% |
| 2023 | 712,020 millions | +3347.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 2,605 millions | 1,386 millions | 3,830 millions | 9 |
| 1980s | 4,942 millions | 3,655 millions | 6,215 millions | 9 |
| 1990s | 13,545 millions | 7,064 millions | 20,655 millions | 7 |
| 2020s | 712,020 millions | 712,020 millions | 712,020 millions | 1 |
Countries ranked near China
- 1 United States of America 1.16 million millions compare
- 3 Germany 218,138 millions compare
- 4 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 159,294 millions compare
- 5 France 148,885 millions compare
More education data for China
- Primary education, teachers, gaps filled 6.74 million (2024)
- Duration of pre primary education, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Duration of pre primary education 3 (2025)
- Official entrance age to pre primary education 3 (2025)
- Population ages 15-64 69.7% (2025)
- Population ages 0-14 15.4% (2025)
- Lower secondary school starting age 12 years (2025)
- Primary school starting age 6 years (2025)
- Primary secondary enrollment completion rates, gaps filled 99.64 (2024)
- School enrollment, primary 99.6% (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is government expenditure on education, us$ in China?
- Government expenditure on education, us$ in China was 712,020 millions in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on education, us$ recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 712,020 millions in 2023.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on education, us$ recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 1,386 millions in 1971.
- How does China rank for government expenditure on education, us$?
- China ranks 2nd out of 181 countries with data for 2023.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Government expenditure on education, US$ (millions). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release