Government expenditure on education, US$ in New Zealand
New Zealand: Government expenditure on education, US$ was 13,304 millions in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
13,304 millions
Change on year
up 3.2%
World rank
38th
of 181 countries
All-time high
14,073 millions
in 2021
All-time low
454.76 millions
in 1973
Years of data
33
1973–2023
Government expenditure on education, US$ in New Zealand, 1973–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in millions.
Analysis
New Zealand recorded 13,304 millions for government expenditure on education, us$ in 2023.
That represents a change of up 3.2% on the previous year and up 18.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on education, us$ in New Zealand peaked at 14,073 millions in 2021 and was at its lowest, 454.76 millions, in 1973.
New Zealand ranks 38th 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$ in New Zealand, year by year
| Year | millions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | 454.76 millions | — |
| 1974 | 607.7 millions | +33.6% |
| 1975 | 720.4 millions | +18.5% |
| 1976 | 701.59 millions | -2.6% |
| 1977 | 687.8 millions | -2.0% |
| 1978 | 839.9 millions | +22.1% |
| 1979 | 926.2 millions | +10.3% |
| 1980 | 983.86 millions | +6.2% |
| 1981 | 1,084 millions | +10.2% |
| 1982 | 1,095 millions | +1.0% |
| 1984 | 876.54 millions | -20.0% |
| 1985 | 875.22 millions | -0.2% |
| 1986 | 1,050 millions | +20.0% |
| 1987 | 1,582 millions | +50.7% |
| 1988 | 1,999 millions | +26.4% |
| 1989 | 2,116 millions | +5.8% |
| 1994 | 3,278 millions | +54.9% |
| 1995 | 3,670 millions | +12.0% |
| 1996 | 4,478 millions | +22.0% |
| 1997 | 4,068 millions | -9.1% |
| 1999 | 3,731 millions | -8.3% |
| 2000 | 2,949 millions | -21.0% |
| 2013 | 11,242 millions | +281.2% |
| 2014 | 11,695 millions | +4.0% |
| 2015 | 10,165 millions | -13.1% |
| 2016 | 10,400 millions | +2.3% |
| 2017 | 10,907 millions | +4.9% |
| 2018 | 11,001 millions | +0.9% |
| 2019 | 11,021 millions | +0.2% |
| 2020 | 12,021 millions | +9.1% |
| 2021 | 14,073 millions | +17.1% |
| 2022 | 12,893 millions | -8.4% |
| 2023 | 13,304 millions | +3.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 705.48 millions | 454.76 millions | 926.2 millions | 7 |
| 1980s | 1,296 millions | 875.22 millions | 2,116 millions | 9 |
| 1990s | 3,845 millions | 3,278 millions | 4,478 millions | 5 |
| 2000s | 2,949 millions | 2,949 millions | 2,949 millions | 1 |
| 2010s | 10,919 millions | 10,165 millions | 11,695 millions | 7 |
| 2020s | 13,073 millions | 12,021 millions | 14,073 millions | 4 |
Countries ranked near New Zealand
More education data for New Zealand
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 383,018 (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 1.15 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0724 units per person (2024)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 383,018 (2024)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), annual growth 1.15 % change on previous year (2024)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), per capita 0.0724 units per person (2024)
- Enrolment in primary education, female (number), gaps filled 186,396 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is government expenditure on education, us$ in New Zealand?
- Government expenditure on education, us$ in New Zealand was 13,304 millions in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on education, us$ recorded in New Zealand?
- The highest recorded value was 14,073 millions in 2021.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on education, us$ recorded in New Zealand?
- The lowest recorded value was 454.76 millions in 1973.
- How does New Zealand rank for government expenditure on education, us$?
- New Zealand ranks 38th out of 181 countries with data for 2023.
- Is government expenditure on education, us$ rising or falling in New Zealand?
- Over the last ten years it is up 18.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this New Zealand 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 — 33 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
About this data
February 2026 Data Release