Government expenditure on primary education, US$ in New Zealand
New Zealand: Government expenditure on primary education, US$ was 3,380 millions in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
3,380 millions
Change on year
up 6.4%
World rank
37th
of 154 countries
All-time high
3,409 millions
in 2021
All-time low
161.22 millions
in 1973
Years of data
32
1973–2023
Government expenditure on primary education, US$ in New Zealand, 1973–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in millions.
Analysis
The most recent figure for government expenditure on primary education, us$ in New Zealand is 3,380 millions, measured in 2023.
The figure is up 6.4% on the previous year and up 40.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on primary education, us$ in New Zealand peaked at 3,409 millions in 2021 and was at its lowest, 161.22 millions, in 1973.
That places New Zealand 37th out of 154 countries with data for 2023, putting it 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 New Zealand, year by year
| Year | millions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | 161.22 millions | — |
| 1974 | 217.76 millions | +35.1% |
| 1975 | 257.05 millions | +18.0% |
| 1976 | 239.16 millions | -7.0% |
| 1977 | 237.85 millions | -0.5% |
| 1978 | 289.94 millions | +21.9% |
| 1979 | 337.63 millions | +16.4% |
| 1980 | 364.81 millions | +8.1% |
| 1981 | 380.31 millions | +4.2% |
| 1982 | 398.83 millions | +4.9% |
| 1984 | 336.05 millions | -15.7% |
| 1985 | 333.47 millions | -0.8% |
| 1986 | 385.36 millions | +15.6% |
| 1987 | 555.18 millions | +44.1% |
| 1988 | 682.39 millions | +22.9% |
| 1989 | 613.45 millions | -10.1% |
| 1994 | 786.98 millions | +28.3% |
| 1995 | 913.26 millions | +16.0% |
| 1996 | 1,200 millions | +31.3% |
| 1997 | 1,090 millions | -9.1% |
| 2000 | 716.77 millions | -34.2% |
| 2013 | 2,401 millions | +234.9% |
| 2014 | 2,526 millions | +5.2% |
| 2015 | 2,245 millions | -11.1% |
| 2016 | 2,357 millions | +5.0% |
| 2017 | 2,516 millions | +6.8% |
| 2018 | 2,569 millions | +2.1% |
| 2019 | 2,577 millions | +0.3% |
| 2020 | 2,841 millions | +10.2% |
| 2021 | 3,409 millions | +20.0% |
| 2022 | 3,177 millions | -6.8% |
| 2023 | 3,380 millions | +6.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 248.66 millions | 161.22 millions | 337.63 millions | 7 |
| 1980s | 449.98 millions | 333.47 millions | 682.39 millions | 9 |
| 1990s | 997.4 millions | 786.98 millions | 1,200 millions | 4 |
| 2000s | 716.77 millions | 716.77 millions | 716.77 millions | 1 |
| 2010s | 2,456 millions | 2,245 millions | 2,577 millions | 7 |
| 2020s | 3,202 millions | 2,841 millions | 3,409 millions | 4 |
Countries ranked near New Zealand
More education data for New Zealand
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 12,020 (1992)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 56,552 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 53,804 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 562,417 (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 383,018 (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 1.15 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0724 units per person (2024)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is government expenditure on primary education, us$ in New Zealand?
- Government expenditure on primary education, us$ in New Zealand was 3,380 millions in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on primary education, us$ recorded in New Zealand?
- The highest recorded value was 3,409 millions in 2021.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on primary education, us$ recorded in New Zealand?
- The lowest recorded value was 161.22 millions in 1973.
- How does New Zealand rank for government expenditure on primary education, us$?
- New Zealand ranks 37th out of 154 countries with data for 2023.
- Is government expenditure on primary education, us$ rising or falling in New Zealand?
- Over the last ten years it is up 40.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this New Zealand 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
CSV · JSON — 32 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
About this data
February 2026 Data Release