Government expenditure on education, US$ in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Government expenditure on education, US$ was 1,877 millions in 2018. ◆ Volatile
Government expenditure on education, US$ in Sri Lanka, 1973–2018
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in millions.
Analysis
The most recent figure for government expenditure on education, us$ in Sri Lanka is 1,877 millions, measured in 2018.
That represents a change of down 23.3% on the previous year and up 117.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on education, us$ in Sri Lanka peaked at 2,842 millions in 2016 and was at its lowest, 86.38 millions, in 1979.
Sri Lanka ranks 88th 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$ in Sri Lanka, year by year
| Year | millions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | 95.37 millions | — |
| 1975 | 104.05 millions | +9.1% |
| 1979 | 86.38 millions | -17.0% |
| 1980 | 108.83 millions | +26.0% |
| 1981 | 107.84 millions | -0.9% |
| 1982 | 122.01 millions | +13.1% |
| 1983 | 123.54 millions | +1.3% |
| 1984 | 130.86 millions | +5.9% |
| 1985 | 154.01 millions | +17.7% |
| 1986 | 179.69 millions | +16.7% |
| 1987 | 176.7 millions | -1.7% |
| 1988 | 197.23 millions | +11.6% |
| 1989 | 192.51 millions | -2.4% |
| 1990 | 193.66 millions | +0.6% |
| 1991 | 262.41 millions | +35.5% |
| 1994 | 364.25 millions | +38.8% |
| 1995 | 385.37 millions | +5.8% |
| 1996 | 464.69 millions | +20.6% |
| 1998 | 481.97 millions | +3.7% |
| 2009 | 864.84 millions | +79.4% |
| 2010 | 974.4 millions | +12.7% |
| 2011 | 1,181 millions | +21.2% |
| 2012 | 1,024 millions | -13.3% |
| 2013 | 1,205 millions | +17.7% |
| 2014 | 1,534 millions | +27.3% |
| 2015 | 1,795 millions | +17.0% |
| 2016 | 2,842 millions | +58.3% |
| 2017 | 2,447 millions | -13.9% |
| 2018 | 1,877 millions | -23.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 95.27 millions | 86.38 millions | 104.05 millions | 3 |
| 1980s | 149.32 millions | 107.84 millions | 197.23 millions | 10 |
| 1990s | 358.72 millions | 193.66 millions | 481.97 millions | 6 |
| 2000s | 864.84 millions | 864.84 millions | 864.84 millions | 1 |
| 2010s | 1,653 millions | 974.4 millions | 2,842 millions | 9 |
Countries ranked near Sri Lanka
More education data for Sri Lanka
- Theoretical duration of upper secondary education (years), annual 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Theoretical duration of secondary education (years), annual growth 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Start of the academic school year (tertiary education), gaps filled 2,024 tertiary education (2024)
- Start of the academic school year (tertiary education), annual growth 0.0494 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, teachers, gaps filled 73,333 (2023)
- Duration of pre primary education, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Duration of pre primary education 2 (2025)
- Official entrance age to pre primary education 3 (2025)
- Population ages 15-64 65.8% (2025)
- Population ages 0-14 21.7% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is government expenditure on education, us$ in Sri Lanka?
- Government expenditure on education, us$ in Sri Lanka was 1,877 millions in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on education, us$ recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The highest recorded value was 2,842 millions in 2016.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on education, us$ recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The lowest recorded value was 86.38 millions in 1979.
- How does Sri Lanka rank for government expenditure on education, us$?
- Sri Lanka ranks 88th out of 181 countries with data for 2018.
- Is government expenditure on education, us$ rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
- Over the last ten years it is up 117.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sri Lanka 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