Government expenditure on primary education, US$ in Ireland
Ireland: Government expenditure on primary education, US$ was 5,383 millions in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2021)
5,383 millions
Change on year
up 10.1%
World rank
29th
of 154 countries
All-time high
5,406 millions
in 2008
All-time low
78.94 millions
in 1971
Years of data
49
1971–2021
Government expenditure on primary education, US$ in Ireland, 1971–2021
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in millions.
Analysis
The most recent figure for government expenditure on primary education, us$ in Ireland is 5,383 millions, measured in 2021.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 10.1% on the previous year and up 8.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on primary education, us$ in Ireland peaked at 5,406 millions in 2008 and was at its lowest, 78.94 millions, in 1971.
Ireland ranks 29th of 154 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 primary education, US$ in Ireland, year by year
| Year | millions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 78.94 millions | — |
| 1972 | 90.37 millions | +14.5% |
| 1973 | 104.23 millions | +15.3% |
| 1974 | 126.39 millions | +21.3% |
| 1976 | 150.53 millions | +19.1% |
| 1977 | 202.26 millions | +34.4% |
| 1978 | 272.32 millions | +34.6% |
| 1979 | 350.27 millions | +28.6% |
| 1980 | 418.92 millions | +19.6% |
| 1981 | 431.87 millions | +3.1% |
| 1982 | 425.99 millions | -1.4% |
| 1983 | 316.06 millions | -25.8% |
| 1984 | 309.17 millions | -2.2% |
| 1985 | 323.58 millions | +4.7% |
| 1986 | 440.43 millions | +36.1% |
| 1987 | 537.3 millions | +22.0% |
| 1988 | 542.96 millions | +1.1% |
| 1989 | 536.7 millions | -1.2% |
| 1990 | 647 millions | +20.6% |
| 1991 | 679.21 millions | +5.0% |
| 1992 | 783.59 millions | +15.4% |
| 1993 | 722.04 millions | -7.9% |
| 1994 | 771.69 millions | +6.9% |
| 1995 | 849.67 millions | +10.1% |
| 1996 | 876.76 millions | +3.2% |
| 1998 | 1,264 millions | +44.2% |
| 1999 | 1,292 millions | +2.2% |
| 2000 | 1,277 millions | -1.2% |
| 2001 | 1,428 millions | +11.8% |
| 2002 | 1,717 millions | +20.3% |
| 2003 | 2,367 millions | +37.9% |
| 2004 | 2,920 millions | +23.4% |
| 2005 | 3,222 millions | +10.3% |
| 2006 | 3,576 millions | +11.0% |
| 2007 | 4,465 millions | +24.9% |
| 2008 | 5,406 millions | +21.1% |
| 2009 | 5,204 millions | -3.7% |
| 2010 | 4,746 millions | -8.8% |
| 2011 | 4,976 millions | +4.8% |
| 2012 | 4,786 millions | -3.8% |
| 2013 | 4,614 millions | -3.6% |
| 2014 | 4,602 millions | -0.3% |
| 2015 | 4,041 millions | -12.2% |
| 2016 | 4,174 millions | +3.3% |
| 2017 | 4,073 millions | -2.4% |
| 2018 | 4,470 millions | +9.7% |
| 2019 | 4,533 millions | +1.4% |
| 2020 | 4,890 millions | +7.9% |
| 2021 | 5,383 millions | +10.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 171.91 millions | 78.94 millions | 350.27 millions | 8 |
| 1980s | 428.3 millions | 309.17 millions | 542.96 millions | 10 |
| 1990s | 876.3 millions | 647 millions | 1,292 millions | 9 |
| 2000s | 3,158 millions | 1,277 millions | 5,406 millions | 10 |
| 2010s | 4,502 millions | 4,041 millions | 4,976 millions | 10 |
| 2020s | 5,137 millions | 4,890 millions | 5,383 millions | 2 |
Countries ranked near Ireland
More education data for Ireland
- 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 2,021 tertiary education (2022)
- Start of the academic school year (tertiary education), annual growth 0.0495 % change on previous year (2022)
- Primary education, teachers, gaps filled 42,162 (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 65.7% (2025)
- Population ages 0-14 18.1% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is government expenditure on primary education, us$ in Ireland?
- Government expenditure on primary education, us$ in Ireland was 5,383 millions in 2021, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on primary education, us$ recorded in Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 5,406 millions in 2008.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on primary education, us$ recorded in Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 78.94 millions in 1971.
- How does Ireland rank for government expenditure on primary education, us$?
- Ireland ranks 29th out of 154 countries with data for 2021.
- Is government expenditure on primary education, us$ rising or falling in Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is up 8.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ireland data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Government expenditure on primary education, US$ (millions). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release