Government expenditure on education, US$ (millions) (education US) in Malawi
Malawi: Government expenditure on education, US$ (millions) (education US) was 297.19 millions in 2018. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2018)
297.19 millions
Change on year
up 35.7%
World rank
140th
of 181 countries
All-time high
339.2 millions
in 2015
All-time low
12.36 millions
in 1972
Years of data
25
1971–2018
Government expenditure on education, US$ in Malawi, 1971–2018
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in millions.
Analysis
The most recent figure for government expenditure on education, us$ in Malawi is 297.19 millions, measured in 2018.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 35.7% on the previous year and up 35.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on education, us$ in Malawi peaked at 339.2 millions in 2015 and was at its lowest, 12.36 millions, in 1972.
Malawi ranks 140th of 181 countries on this measure, in the bottom 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 Malawi, year by year
| Year | millions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 12.8 millions | — |
| 1972 | 12.36 millions | -3.4% |
| 1973 | 13.53 millions | +9.4% |
| 1974 | 13.72 millions | +1.4% |
| 1975 | 14.83 millions | +8.1% |
| 1976 | 14.85 millions | +0.1% |
| 1986 | 36.19 millions | +143.6% |
| 1987 | 41.73 millions | +15.3% |
| 1988 | 37.52 millions | -10.1% |
| 1989 | 43.83 millions | +16.8% |
| 1990 | 52.01 millions | +18.7% |
| 1995 | 47.38 millions | -8.9% |
| 1996 | 75.2 millions | +58.7% |
| 1999 | 87.44 millions | +16.3% |
| 2000 | 93.2 millions | +6.6% |
| 2001 | 78.61 millions | -15.6% |
| 2003 | 112.41 millions | +43.0% |
| 2010 | 219.15 millions | +95.0% |
| 2011 | 289.01 millions | +31.9% |
| 2013 | 326.51 millions | +13.0% |
| 2014 | 267.11 millions | -18.2% |
| 2015 | 339.2 millions | +27.0% |
| 2016 | 302.64 millions | -10.8% |
| 2017 | 219.02 millions | -27.6% |
| 2018 | 297.19 millions | +35.7% |
Malawi compared with similar countries
- Malawi's 297.19 millions is below the median for low income countries, which is 417.09 millions, 71% of the median. (22 countries reporting)
- Malawi's 297.19 millions is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 464.14 millions, 64% of the median. (44 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 13.68 millions | 12.36 millions | 14.85 millions | 6 |
| 1980s | 39.82 millions | 36.19 millions | 43.83 millions | 4 |
| 1990s | 65.51 millions | 47.38 millions | 87.44 millions | 4 |
| 2000s | 94.74 millions | 78.61 millions | 112.41 millions | 3 |
| 2010s | 282.48 millions | 219.02 millions | 339.2 millions | 8 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
More education data for Malawi
- Gender gap education levels, gaps filled 98.49 (2007)
- Primary enrollment selected countries, gaps filled 99.57 (2023)
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 14,528 (2019)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 1.25 million (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 1.16 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 4.75 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 2.7 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0004 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.2193 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is government expenditure on education, us$ in Malawi?
- Government expenditure on education, us$ in Malawi was 297.19 millions in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on education, us$ recorded in Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 339.2 millions in 2015.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on education, us$ recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 12.36 millions in 1972.
- How does Malawi rank for government expenditure on education, us$?
- Malawi ranks 140th out of 181 countries with data for 2018.
- Is government expenditure on education, us$ rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is up 35.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malawi 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 — 25 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
About this data
February 2026 Data Release