Government expenditure on primary education, US$ in South Africa
South Africa: Government expenditure on primary education, US$ was 9,317 millions in 2024. ▲ Rising
Government expenditure on primary education, US$ in South Africa, 1999–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in millions.
Analysis
The most recent figure for government expenditure on primary education, us$ in South Africa is 9,317 millions, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of down 6.5% on the previous year and up 8.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on primary education, us$ in South Africa peaked at 10,611 millions in 2022 and was at its lowest, 2,342 millions, in 2003.
South Africa ranks 20th of 154 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 26 years of available data.
Government expenditure on primary education, US$ in South Africa, year by year
| Year | millions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 3,642 millions | — |
| 2000 | 3,416 millions | -6.2% |
| 2001 | 3,114 millions | -8.9% |
| 2002 | 2,718 millions | -12.7% |
| 2003 | 2,342 millions | -13.8% |
| 2004 | 3,593 millions | +53.4% |
| 2005 | 4,971 millions | +38.3% |
| 2006 | 5,898 millions | +18.7% |
| 2007 | 5,714 millions | -3.1% |
| 2008 | 5,935 millions | +3.9% |
| 2009 | 6,185 millions | +4.2% |
| 2010 | 7,190 millions | +16.2% |
| 2011 | 9,063 millions | +26.0% |
| 2012 | 10,591 millions | +16.9% |
| 2013 | 9,858 millions | -6.9% |
| 2014 | 8,605 millions | -12.7% |
| 2015 | 7,965 millions | -7.4% |
| 2016 | 7,569 millions | -5.0% |
| 2017 | 7,045 millions | -6.9% |
| 2018 | 8,342 millions | +18.4% |
| 2019 | 8,983 millions | +7.7% |
| 2020 | 10,037 millions | +11.7% |
| 2021 | 9,067 millions | -9.7% |
| 2022 | 10,611 millions | +17.0% |
| 2023 | 9,969 millions | -6.1% |
| 2024 | 9,317 millions | -6.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 3,642 millions | 3,642 millions | 3,642 millions | 1 |
| 2000s | 4,389 millions | 2,342 millions | 6,185 millions | 10 |
| 2010s | 8,521 millions | 7,045 millions | 10,591 millions | 10 |
| 2020s | 9,800 millions | 9,067 millions | 10,611 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, us$ in South Africa?
- Government expenditure on primary education, us$ in South Africa was 9,317 millions in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on primary education, us$ recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 10,611 millions in 2022.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on primary education, us$ recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 2,342 millions in 2003.
- How does South Africa rank for government expenditure on primary education, us$?
- South Africa ranks 20th out of 154 countries with data for 2024.
- Is government expenditure on primary education, us$ rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 8.3%. 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, US$ (millions). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release