Government expenditure on education, US$ (millions) (education US) in Malaysia
Malaysia: Government expenditure on education, US$ (millions) (education US) was 14,049 millions in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Government expenditure on education, US$ in Malaysia, 1971–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in millions.
Analysis
The most recent figure for government expenditure on education, us$ in Malaysia is 14,049 millions, measured in 2023.
The figure is up 6.4% on the previous year and down 20.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on education, us$ in Malaysia peaked at 18,046 millions in 2012 and was at its lowest, 193.16 millions, in 1971.
Malaysia ranks 37th 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 Malaysia, year by year
| Year | millions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 193.16 millions | — |
| 1979 | 1,079 millions | +458.7% |
| 1980 | 1,402 millions | +29.9% |
| 1981 | 1,675 millions | +19.4% |
| 1982 | 1,885 millions | +12.6% |
| 1984 | 1,923 millions | +2.0% |
| 1985 | 1,907 millions | -0.9% |
| 1986 | 2,009 millions | +5.4% |
| 1987 | 2,036 millions | +1.3% |
| 1992 | 3,024 millions | +48.6% |
| 1993 | 3,114 millions | +3.0% |
| 1994 | 3,504 millions | +12.5% |
| 1995 | 3,852 millions | +9.9% |
| 1996 | 4,956 millions | +28.7% |
| 1997 | 4,621 millions | -6.8% |
| 1999 | 4,501 millions | -2.6% |
| 2000 | 5,601 millions | +24.4% |
| 2001 | 6,944 millions | +24.0% |
| 2002 | 7,723 millions | +11.2% |
| 2003 | 8,268 millions | +7.1% |
| 2004 | 7,390 millions | -10.6% |
| 2006 | 7,298 millions | -1.2% |
| 2007 | 8,463 millions | +16.0% |
| 2008 | 9,137 millions | +8.0% |
| 2009 | 12,083 millions | +32.2% |
| 2010 | 12,665 millions | +4.8% |
| 2011 | 17,171 millions | +35.6% |
| 2012 | 18,046 millions | +5.1% |
| 2013 | 17,719 millions | -1.8% |
| 2014 | 17,622 millions | -0.5% |
| 2015 | 14,751 millions | -16.3% |
| 2016 | 14,315 millions | -3.0% |
| 2017 | 14,919 millions | +4.2% |
| 2018 | 16,069 millions | +7.7% |
| 2019 | 15,183 millions | -5.5% |
| 2020 | 13,200 millions | -13.1% |
| 2023 | 14,049 millions | +6.4% |
Malaysia compared with similar countries
- Malaysia's 14,049 millions is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 1,877 millions, 7.5× the median. (49 countries reporting)
- Malaysia's 14,049 millions is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 1,553 millions, 9.0× the median. (26 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Government expenditure on education, US$ (millions) (education US) in Malaysia 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | +458.7% | 193.16 millions | 1,079 millions |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 636.21 millions | 193.16 millions | 1,079 millions | 2 |
| 1980s | 1,834 millions | 1,402 millions | 2,036 millions | 7 |
| 1990s | 3,939 millions | 3,024 millions | 4,956 millions | 7 |
| 2000s | 8,101 millions | 5,601 millions | 12,083 millions | 9 |
| 2010s | 15,846 millions | 12,665 millions | 18,046 millions | 10 |
| 2020s | 13,625 millions | 13,200 millions | 14,049 millions | 2 |
Countries ranked near Malaysia
More education data for Malaysia
- Gender gap education levels, gaps filled 88.9 (2024)
- Primary enrollment selected countries, gaps filled 88.03 (2024)
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 217,105 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 0 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 475,967 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 460,041 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 2.64 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 3.06 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -1.2 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is government expenditure on education, us$ in Malaysia?
- Government expenditure on education, us$ in Malaysia was 14,049 millions in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on education, us$ recorded in Malaysia?
- The highest recorded value was 18,046 millions in 2012.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on education, us$ recorded in Malaysia?
- The lowest recorded value was 193.16 millions in 1971.
- How does Malaysia rank for government expenditure on education, us$?
- Malaysia ranks 37th out of 181 countries with data for 2023.
- Is government expenditure on education, us$ rising or falling in Malaysia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 20.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malaysia 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