Government expenditure on education, US$ (millions) (education US) in Iran
Iran: Government expenditure on education, US$ (millions) (education US) was 10,238 millions in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Government expenditure on education, US$ in Iran, 1971–2022
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in millions.
Analysis
The most recent figure for government expenditure on education, us$ in Iran is 10,238 millions, measured in 2022.
The figure is down 4.2% on the previous year and down 44.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on education, us$ in Iran peaked at 18,489 millions in 2012 and was at its lowest, 304.08 millions, in 1971.
Iran ranks 45th of 181 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
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 Iran, year by year
| Year | millions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 304.08 millions | — |
| 1972 | 379.92 millions | +24.9% |
| 1973 | 493.45 millions | +29.9% |
| 1974 | 728.59 millions | +47.7% |
| 1975 | 1,370 millions | +88.1% |
| 1977 | 3,686 millions | +169.0% |
| 1981 | 6,729 millions | +82.6% |
| 1982 | 5,831 millions | -13.3% |
| 1983 | 5,265 millions | -9.7% |
| 1984 | 5,944 millions | +12.9% |
| 1985 | 5,615 millions | -5.5% |
| 1986 | 6,432 millions | +14.6% |
| 1987 | 8,658 millions | +34.6% |
| 1988 | 4,933 millions | -43.0% |
| 1989 | 4,919 millions | -0.3% |
| 1990 | 4,547 millions | -7.6% |
| 1991 | 4,672 millions | +2.7% |
| 1992 | 4,792 millions | +2.6% |
| 1993 | 5,168 millions | +7.8% |
| 1995 | 2,932 millions | -43.3% |
| 1996 | 3,411 millions | +16.3% |
| 1999 | 4,654 millions | +36.4% |
| 2000 | 4,589 millions | -1.4% |
| 2001 | 4,462 millions | -2.8% |
| 2002 | 5,690 millions | +27.5% |
| 2003 | 5,612 millions | -1.4% |
| 2004 | 6,527 millions | +16.3% |
| 2005 | 7,616 millions | +16.7% |
| 2006 | 9,651 millions | +26.7% |
| 2007 | 12,209 millions | +26.5% |
| 2008 | 13,688 millions | +12.1% |
| 2009 | 15,603 millions | +14.0% |
| 2010 | 15,358 millions | -1.6% |
| 2011 | 16,974 millions | +10.5% |
| 2012 | 18,489 millions | +8.9% |
| 2013 | 18,372 millions | -0.6% |
| 2014 | 13,094 millions | -28.7% |
| 2015 | 12,154 millions | -7.2% |
| 2016 | 12,988 millions | +6.9% |
| 2017 | 15,881 millions | +22.3% |
| 2018 | 17,707 millions | +11.5% |
| 2019 | 12,924 millions | -27.0% |
| 2020 | 10,689 millions | -17.3% |
| 2022 | 10,238 millions | -4.2% |
Iran compared with similar countries
- Iran's 10,238 millions is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 1,877 millions, 5.5× the median. (49 countries reporting)
- Iran's 10,238 millions is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 3,038 millions, 3.4× the median. (19 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Government expenditure on education, US$ (millions) (education US) in Iran changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | +169.0% | 1,370 millions | 3,686 millions |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 1,160 millions | 304.08 millions | 3,686 millions | 6 |
| 1980s | 6,036 millions | 4,919 millions | 8,658 millions | 9 |
| 1990s | 4,311 millions | 2,932 millions | 5,168 millions | 7 |
| 2000s | 8,565 millions | 4,462 millions | 15,603 millions | 10 |
| 2010s | 15,394 millions | 12,154 millions | 18,489 millions | 10 |
| 2020s | 10,463 millions | 10,238 millions | 10,689 millions | 2 |
Countries ranked near Iran
More education data for Iran
- Gender gap education levels, gaps filled 98.5 (2020)
- Primary enrollment selected countries, gaps filled 99.9 (2023)
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 406,399 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 108,066 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 519,698 (2020)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 505,053 (2020)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 6.62 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 9.09 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 3.31 % change on previous year (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is government expenditure on education, us$ in Iran?
- Government expenditure on education, us$ in Iran was 10,238 millions in 2022, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on education, us$ recorded in Iran?
- The highest recorded value was 18,489 millions in 2012.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on education, us$ recorded in Iran?
- The lowest recorded value was 304.08 millions in 1971.
- How does Iran rank for government expenditure on education, us$?
- Iran ranks 45th out of 181 countries with data for 2022.
- Is government expenditure on education, us$ rising or falling in Iran?
- Over the last ten years it is down 44.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Iran 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