Government expenditure on education, US$ in South Africa
South Africa: Government expenditure on education, US$ was 22,922 millions in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
22,922 millions
Change on year
down 8.0%
World rank
30th
of 181 countries
All-time high
25,910 millions
in 2022
All-time low
3,487 millions
in 1987
Years of data
34
1987–2024
Government expenditure on education, US$ in South Africa, 1987–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in millions.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 22,922 millions for government expenditure on education, us$ in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 8.0% on the previous year and up 4.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on education, us$ in South Africa peaked at 25,910 millions in 2022 and was at its lowest, 3,487 millions, in 1987.
South Africa ranks 30th 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 South Africa, year by year
| Year | millions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 3,487 millions | — |
| 1988 | 4,686 millions | +34.4% |
| 1989 | 4,618 millions | -1.4% |
| 1990 | 5,076 millions | +9.9% |
| 1991 | 6,630 millions | +30.6% |
| 1993 | 7,919 millions | +19.5% |
| 1994 | 7,798 millions | -1.5% |
| 1996 | 8,668 millions | +11.2% |
| 1999 | 8,095 millions | -6.6% |
| 2000 | 7,438 millions | -8.1% |
| 2001 | 7,036 millions | -5.4% |
| 2002 | 6,156 millions | -12.5% |
| 2003 | 5,618 millions | -8.7% |
| 2004 | 8,884 millions | +58.1% |
| 2005 | 11,574 millions | +30.3% |
| 2006 | 13,076 millions | +13.0% |
| 2007 | 13,512 millions | +3.3% |
| 2008 | 14,570 millions | +7.8% |
| 2009 | 15,052 millions | +3.3% |
| 2010 | 16,933 millions | +12.5% |
| 2011 | 22,074 millions | +30.4% |
| 2012 | 25,307 millions | +14.6% |
| 2013 | 23,244 millions | -8.2% |
| 2014 | 22,008 millions | -5.3% |
| 2015 | 20,900 millions | -5.0% |
| 2016 | 18,876 millions | -9.7% |
| 2017 | 18,116 millions | -4.0% |
| 2018 | 21,529 millions | +18.8% |
| 2019 | 23,957 millions | +11.3% |
| 2020 | 24,024 millions | +0.3% |
| 2021 | 22,155 millions | -7.8% |
| 2022 | 25,910 millions | +16.9% |
| 2023 | 24,918 millions | -3.8% |
| 2024 | 22,922 millions | -8.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 4,264 millions | 3,487 millions | 4,686 millions | 3 |
| 1990s | 7,364 millions | 5,076 millions | 8,668 millions | 6 |
| 2000s | 10,291 millions | 5,618 millions | 15,052 millions | 10 |
| 2010s | 21,294 millions | 16,933 millions | 25,307 millions | 10 |
| 2020s | 23,986 millions | 22,155 millions | 25,910 millions | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More education data for South Africa
- Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 5.50 million (2023)
- Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes (number), annual growth 2.22 % change on previous year (2023)
- Teachers in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 287,310 (2023)
- Teachers in primary education, both sexes (number), annual growth rate 13.45 % change on previous year (2015)
- Enrolment in secondary education, female (number), gaps filled 2.82 million (2023)
- Enrolment in secondary education, female (number), annual growth rate 1.53 % change on previous year (2023)
- Enrolment in secondary education, male (number), gaps filled 2.68 million (2023)
- Enrolment in secondary education, male (number), annual growth rate 2.97 % change on previous year (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 818,404 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), annual 3.28 % change on previous year (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is government expenditure on education, us$ in South Africa?
- Government expenditure on education, us$ in South Africa was 22,922 millions in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on education, us$ recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 25,910 millions in 2022.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on education, us$ recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 3,487 millions in 1987.
- How does South Africa rank for government expenditure on education, us$?
- South Africa ranks 30th out of 181 countries with data for 2024.
- Is government expenditure on education, us$ rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 4.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa 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