Government expenditure on education, US$ (millions) (education US) in Kenya
Kenya: Government expenditure on education, US$ (millions) (education US) was 4,190 millions in 2018. ◆ Volatile
Government expenditure on education, US$ in Kenya, 1971–2018
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in millions.
Analysis
In 2018, government expenditure on education, us$ in Kenya stood at 4,190 millions. That is the highest value across all 37 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 12.8% on the previous year and up 217.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on education, us$ in Kenya peaked at 4,190 millions in 2018 and was at its lowest, 63.01 millions, in 1971.
Kenya ranks 61st 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 Kenya, year by year
| Year | millions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 63.01 millions | — |
| 1972 | 79.61 millions | +26.3% |
| 1973 | 98 millions | +23.1% |
| 1974 | 127.09 millions | +29.7% |
| 1975 | 166.5 millions | +31.0% |
| 1976 | 187.22 millions | +12.4% |
| 1977 | 178.46 millions | -4.7% |
| 1980 | 335.9 millions | +88.2% |
| 1981 | 430.38 millions | +28.1% |
| 1982 | 389.21 millions | -9.6% |
| 1983 | 349.77 millions | -10.1% |
| 1984 | 273.9 millions | -21.7% |
| 1985 | 321.94 millions | +17.5% |
| 1986 | 368.95 millions | +14.6% |
| 1988 | 526.12 millions | +42.6% |
| 1989 | 504.31 millions | -4.1% |
| 1991 | 563.26 millions | +11.7% |
| 1992 | 495.28 millions | -12.1% |
| 1993 | 494.94 millions | -0.1% |
| 1994 | 340.74 millions | -31.2% |
| 1999 | 750.26 millions | +120.2% |
| 2000 | 668.88 millions | -10.8% |
| 2001 | 661.47 millions | -1.1% |
| 2002 | 801.5 millions | +21.2% |
| 2003 | 853.85 millions | +6.5% |
| 2004 | 1,013 millions | +18.6% |
| 2005 | 1,181 millions | +16.5% |
| 2006 | 1,321 millions | +11.9% |
| 2010 | 2,039 millions | +54.4% |
| 2011 | 2,134 millions | +4.7% |
| 2012 | 2,311 millions | +8.3% |
| 2013 | 2,728 millions | +18.0% |
| 2014 | 2,909 millions | +6.6% |
| 2015 | 3,239 millions | +11.3% |
| 2016 | 3,433 millions | +6.0% |
| 2017 | 3,713 millions | +8.2% |
| 2018 | 4,190 millions | +12.8% |
Kenya compared with similar countries
- Kenya's 4,190 millions is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 901.74 millions, 4.6× the median. (44 countries reporting)
- Kenya's 4,190 millions is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 464.14 millions, 9.0× the median. (44 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Government expenditure on education, US$ (millions) (education US) in Kenya 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | +120.2% | 340.74 millions | 750.26 millions |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 128.56 millions | 63.01 millions | 187.22 millions | 7 |
| 1980s | 388.94 millions | 273.9 millions | 526.12 millions | 9 |
| 1990s | 528.89 millions | 340.74 millions | 750.26 millions | 5 |
| 2000s | 928.63 millions | 661.47 millions | 1,321 millions | 7 |
| 2010s | 2,966 millions | 2,039 millions | 4,190 millions | 9 |
Countries ranked near Kenya
More education data for Kenya
- Gender gap education levels, gaps filled 99.57 (2023)
- Primary enrollment selected countries, gaps filled 94.27 (2023)
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 168,396 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 235,728 (2016)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 1.44 million (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 1.44 million (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 6.74 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 8.04 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -0.7181 % change on previous year (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is government expenditure on education, us$ in Kenya?
- Government expenditure on education, us$ in Kenya was 4,190 millions in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on education, us$ recorded in Kenya?
- The highest recorded value was 4,190 millions in 2018.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on education, us$ recorded in Kenya?
- The lowest recorded value was 63.01 millions in 1971.
- How does Kenya rank for government expenditure on education, us$?
- Kenya ranks 61st out of 181 countries with data for 2018.
- Is government expenditure on education, us$ rising or falling in Kenya?
- Over the last ten years it is up 217.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Kenya 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