Government expenditure on education, US$ (millions) (education US) in Ghana
Ghana: Government expenditure on education, US$ (millions) (education US) was 2,614 millions in 2018. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2018)
2,614 millions
Change on year
up 22.5%
World rank
82nd
of 181 countries
All-time high
3,268 millions
in 2012
All-time low
80.37 millions
in 1981
Years of data
30
1971–2018
Government expenditure on education, US$ in Ghana, 1971–2018
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in millions.
Analysis
The most recent figure for government expenditure on education, us$ in Ghana is 2,614 millions, measured in 2018.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 22.5% on the previous year and up 58.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on education, us$ in Ghana peaked at 3,268 millions in 2012 and was at its lowest, 80.37 millions, in 1981.
Ghana ranks 82nd of 181 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, US$ (millions) (education US) in Ghana, year by year
| Year | millions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 93.57 millions | — |
| 1972 | 111.7 millions | +19.4% |
| 1974 | 114.34 millions | +2.4% |
| 1975 | 141.15 millions | +23.4% |
| 1976 | 163.8 millions | +16.0% |
| 1977 | 168.55 millions | +2.9% |
| 1979 | 84.65 millions | -49.8% |
| 1980 | 108.86 millions | +28.6% |
| 1981 | 80.37 millions | -26.2% |
| 1982 | 80.42 millions | +0.1% |
| 1986 | 192.4 millions | +139.3% |
| 1987 | 167.81 millions | -12.8% |
| 1988 | 165.67 millions | -1.3% |
| 1999 | 317.24 millions | +91.5% |
| 2001 | 284.58 millions | -10.3% |
| 2004 | 669.27 millions | +135.2% |
| 2005 | 797.47 millions | +19.2% |
| 2006 | 1,075 millions | +34.8% |
| 2007 | 1,370 millions | +27.5% |
| 2008 | 1,651 millions | +20.5% |
| 2009 | 1,385 millions | -16.1% |
| 2010 | 1,784 millions | +28.8% |
| 2011 | 3,202 millions | +79.5% |
| 2012 | 3,268 millions | +2.1% |
| 2013 | 2,876 millions | -12.0% |
| 2014 | 2,406 millions | -16.4% |
| 2015 | 2,192 millions | -8.9% |
| 2016 | 2,467 millions | +12.6% |
| 2017 | 2,134 millions | -13.5% |
| 2018 | 2,614 millions | +22.5% |
Ghana compared with similar countries
- Ghana's 2,614 millions is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 901.74 millions, 2.9× the median. (44 countries reporting)
- Ghana's 2,614 millions is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 464.14 millions, 5.6× the median. (44 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 125.39 millions | 84.65 millions | 168.55 millions | 7 |
| 1980s | 132.59 millions | 80.37 millions | 192.4 millions | 6 |
| 1990s | 317.24 millions | 317.24 millions | 317.24 millions | 1 |
| 2000s | 1,033 millions | 284.58 millions | 1,651 millions | 7 |
| 2010s | 2,549 millions | 1,784 millions | 3,268 millions | 9 |
Countries ranked near Ghana
More education data for Ghana
- Gender gap education levels, gaps filled 95.93 (2024)
- Primary enrollment selected countries, gaps filled 95.23 (2024)
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 174,414 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 39,902 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 949,095 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 913,117 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 3.33 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 4.98 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 0.6567 % change on previous year (2022)
Frequently asked questions
- What is government expenditure on education, us$ in Ghana?
- Government expenditure on education, us$ in Ghana was 2,614 millions in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on education, us$ recorded in Ghana?
- The highest recorded value was 3,268 millions in 2012.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on education, us$ recorded in Ghana?
- The lowest recorded value was 80.37 millions in 1981.
- How does Ghana rank for government expenditure on education, us$?
- Ghana ranks 82nd out of 181 countries with data for 2018.
- Is government expenditure on education, us$ rising or falling in Ghana?
- Over the last ten years it is up 58.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ghana 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.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 30 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
About this data
February 2026 Data Release