Government expenditure on primary education, constant PPP$ in South Africa
South Africa: Government expenditure on primary education, constant PPP$ was 22,690 millions in 2024. ▲ Rising
Government expenditure on primary education, constant PPP$ in South Africa, 1999–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in millions.
Analysis
The most recent figure for government expenditure on primary education, constant ppp$ in South Africa is 22,690 millions, measured in 2024.
The figure is up 0.6% on the previous year and up 22.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on primary education, constant ppp$ in South Africa peaked at 23,648 millions in 2020 and was at its lowest, 10,933 millions, in 2003.
That places South Africa 15th out of 136 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 26 years of available data.
Government expenditure on primary education, constant PPP$ in South Africa, year by year
| Year | millions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 12,622 millions | — |
| 2000 | 12,241 millions | -3.0% |
| 2001 | 11,608 millions | -5.2% |
| 2002 | 11,660 millions | +0.4% |
| 2003 | 10,933 millions | -6.2% |
| 2004 | 11,312 millions | +3.5% |
| 2005 | 12,602 millions | +11.4% |
| 2006 | 13,940 millions | +10.6% |
| 2007 | 13,559 millions | -2.7% |
| 2008 | 13,535 millions | -0.2% |
| 2009 | 15,337 millions | +13.3% |
| 2010 | 16,829 millions | +9.7% |
| 2011 | 17,270 millions | +2.6% |
| 2012 | 18,965 millions | +9.8% |
| 2013 | 19,065 millions | +0.5% |
| 2014 | 18,482 millions | -3.1% |
| 2015 | 18,246 millions | -1.3% |
| 2016 | 19,315 millions | +5.9% |
| 2017 | 19,390 millions | +0.4% |
| 2018 | 19,703 millions | +1.6% |
| 2019 | 20,280 millions | +2.9% |
| 2020 | 23,648 millions | +16.6% |
| 2021 | 23,091 millions | -2.4% |
| 2022 | 22,776 millions | -1.4% |
| 2023 | 22,556 millions | -1.0% |
| 2024 | 22,690 millions | +0.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 12,622 millions | 12,622 millions | 12,622 millions | 1 |
| 2000s | 12,673 millions | 10,933 millions | 15,337 millions | 10 |
| 2010s | 18,755 millions | 16,829 millions | 20,280 millions | 10 |
| 2020s | 22,952 millions | 22,556 millions | 23,648 millions | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More education data for South Africa
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 7.52 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -1.44 % change on previous year (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.119 units per person (2023)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 7.52 million (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), annual growth -1.44 % change on previous year (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), per capita 0.119 units per person (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, female (number), gaps filled 3.65 million (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is government expenditure on primary education, constant ppp$ in South Africa?
- Government expenditure on primary education, constant ppp$ in South Africa was 22,690 millions in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on primary education, constant ppp$ recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 23,648 millions in 2020.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on primary education, constant ppp$ recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 10,933 millions in 2003.
- How does South Africa rank for government expenditure on primary education, constant ppp$?
- South Africa ranks 15th out of 136 countries with data for 2024.
- Is government expenditure on primary education, constant ppp$ rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 22.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Government expenditure on primary education, constant PPP$ (millions). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release