Government expenditure on primary education, PPP$ in South Africa
South Africa: Government expenditure on primary education, PPP$ was 23,506 millions in 2024. ▲ Rising
Government expenditure on primary education, 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, ppp$ in South Africa is 23,506 millions, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 26 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 4.2% on the previous year and up 49.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on primary education, ppp$ in South Africa peaked at 23,506 millions in 2024 and was at its lowest, 7,661 millions, in 2003.
That places South Africa 14th out of 138 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 26 years of available data.
Government expenditure on primary education, PPP$ in South Africa, year by year
| Year | millions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 8,213 millions | — |
| 2000 | 8,078 millions | -1.6% |
| 2001 | 7,833 millions | -3.0% |
| 2002 | 8,046 millions | +2.7% |
| 2003 | 7,661 millions | -4.8% |
| 2004 | 8,083 millions | +5.5% |
| 2005 | 9,247 millions | +14.4% |
| 2006 | 10,550 millions | +14.1% |
| 2007 | 10,578 millions | +0.3% |
| 2008 | 10,846 millions | +2.5% |
| 2009 | 12,527 millions | +15.5% |
| 2010 | 13,830 millions | +10.4% |
| 2011 | 14,364 millions | +3.9% |
| 2012 | 16,099 millions | +12.1% |
| 2013 | 15,850 millions | -1.5% |
| 2014 | 15,692 millions | -1.0% |
| 2015 | 15,519 millions | -1.1% |
| 2016 | 16,591 millions | +6.9% |
| 2017 | 16,853 millions | +1.6% |
| 2018 | 17,317 millions | +2.8% |
| 2019 | 17,340 millions | +0.1% |
| 2020 | 20,525 millions | +18.4% |
| 2021 | 20,586 millions | +0.3% |
| 2022 | 21,260 millions | +3.3% |
| 2023 | 22,556 millions | +6.1% |
| 2024 | 23,506 millions | +4.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 8,213 millions | 8,213 millions | 8,213 millions | 1 |
| 2000s | 9,345 millions | 7,661 millions | 12,527 millions | 10 |
| 2010s | 15,946 millions | 13,830 millions | 17,340 millions | 10 |
| 2020s | 21,687 millions | 20,525 millions | 23,506 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, ppp$ in South Africa?
- Government expenditure on primary education, ppp$ in South Africa was 23,506 millions in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on primary education, ppp$ recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 23,506 millions in 2024.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on primary education, ppp$ recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 7,661 millions in 2003.
- How does South Africa rank for government expenditure on primary education, ppp$?
- South Africa ranks 14th out of 138 countries with data for 2024.
- Is government expenditure on primary education, ppp$ rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 49.8%. 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, PPP$ (millions). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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CSV · JSON — 26 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
About this data
February 2026 Data Release