Government expenditure on education, US$ (millions) (education US) in India
India: Government expenditure on education, US$ (millions) (education US) was 123,832 millions in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Government expenditure on education, US$ in India, 1997–2021
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in millions.
Analysis
The most recent figure for government expenditure on education, us$ in India is 123,832 millions, measured in 2021. That is the highest value across all 20 years on record.
That represents a change of up 1.7% on the previous year and up 94.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on education, us$ in India peaked at 123,832 millions in 2021 and was at its lowest, 13,979 millions, in 1997.
That places India 7th out of 181 countries with data for 2021, putting it 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$ (millions) (education US) in India, year by year
| Year | millions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 13,979 millions | — |
| 1998 | 14,857 millions | +6.3% |
| 1999 | 18,604 millions | +25.2% |
| 2000 | 19,843 millions | +6.7% |
| 2003 | 18,607 millions | -6.2% |
| 2004 | 20,373 millions | +9.5% |
| 2005 | 22,613 millions | +11.0% |
| 2006 | 25,783 millions | +14.0% |
| 2009 | 39,303 millions | +52.4% |
| 2010 | 45,325 millions | +15.3% |
| 2011 | 63,609 millions | +40.3% |
| 2012 | 70,507 millions | +10.8% |
| 2013 | 70,267 millions | -0.3% |
| 2015 | 83,901 millions | +19.4% |
| 2016 | 89,488 millions | +6.7% |
| 2017 | 98,801 millions | +10.4% |
| 2018 | 115,703 millions | +17.1% |
| 2019 | 105,342 millions | -9.0% |
| 2020 | 121,742 millions | +15.6% |
| 2021 | 123,832 millions | +1.7% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 123,832 millions is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 901.74 millions, 137.3× the median. (44 countries reporting)
- India's 123,832 millions is above the median for South Asia, which is 1,581 millions, 78.3× the median. (6 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 15,813 millions | 13,979 millions | 18,604 millions | 3 |
| 2000s | 24,420 millions | 18,607 millions | 39,303 millions | 6 |
| 2010s | 82,549 millions | 45,325 millions | 115,703 millions | 9 |
| 2020s | 122,787 millions | 121,742 millions | 123,832 millions | 2 |
Countries ranked near India
More education data for India
- Gender gap education levels, gaps filled 98.38 (2023)
- Primary enrollment selected countries, gaps filled 99.88 (2025)
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 7.31 million (2025)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 3.10 million (2025)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 19.37 million (2025)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 18.52 million (2025)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 133.16 million (2025)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 126.12 million (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -8.85 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is government expenditure on education, us$ in India?
- Government expenditure on education, us$ in India was 123,832 millions in 2021, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on education, us$ recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 123,832 millions in 2021.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on education, us$ recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 13,979 millions in 1997.
- How does India rank for government expenditure on education, us$?
- India ranks 7th out of 181 countries with data for 2021.
- Is government expenditure on education, us$ rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is up 94.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this India 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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CSV · JSON — 20 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
About this data
February 2026 Data Release