Government expenditure on tertiary education, constant PPP$ (millions) in India
India: Government expenditure on tertiary education, constant PPP$ (millions) was 174,281 millions in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Government expenditure on tertiary education, constant PPP$ in India, 1999–2021
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in millions.
Analysis
The most recent figure for government expenditure on tertiary education, constant ppp$ in India is 174,281 millions, measured in 2021.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 2.8% on the previous year and up 96.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on tertiary education, constant ppp$ in India peaked at 179,329 millions in 2020 and was at its lowest, 24,077 millions, in 1999.
That places India 3rd out of 146 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Government expenditure on tertiary education, constant PPP$ (millions) in India, year by year
| Year | millions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 24,077 millions | — |
| 2000 | 29,693 millions | +23.3% |
| 2003 | 27,744 millions | -6.6% |
| 2004 | 27,661 millions | -0.3% |
| 2005 | 27,745 millions | +0.3% |
| 2006 | 30,613 millions | +10.3% |
| 2009 | 68,818 millions | +124.8% |
| 2010 | 75,695 millions | +10.0% |
| 2011 | 88,731 millions | +17.2% |
| 2012 | 88,240 millions | -0.6% |
| 2013 | 82,038 millions | -7.0% |
| 2015 | 107,446 millions | +31.0% |
| 2016 | 113,641 millions | +5.8% |
| 2017 | 144,114 millions | +26.8% |
| 2018 | 151,996 millions | +5.5% |
| 2019 | 151,328 millions | -0.4% |
| 2020 | 179,329 millions | +18.5% |
| 2021 | 174,281 millions | -2.8% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 174,281 millions is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 448.48 millions, 388.6× the median. (34 countries reporting)
- India's 174,281 millions is above the median for South Asia, which is 920.71 millions, 189.3× the median. (6 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Government expenditure on tertiary education, constant PPP$ (millions) in India changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | +124.8% | 30,613 millions | 68,818 millions |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 24,077 millions | 24,077 millions | 24,077 millions | 1 |
| 2000s | 35,379 millions | 27,661 millions | 68,818 millions | 6 |
| 2010s | 111,470 millions | 75,695 millions | 151,996 millions | 9 |
| 2020s | 176,805 millions | 174,281 millions | 179,329 millions | 2 |
Countries ranked near India
- 1 United States 405,813 millions compare
- 2 China 292,222 millions compare
- 4 Germany 75,096 millions compare
- 5 United Kingdom 56,000 millions compare
- 6 France 47,494 millions compare
More education data for India
- Gender gap education levels, gaps filled 98.38 (2023)
- Primary enrollment selected countries, gaps filled 99.88 (2025)
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 7.31 million (2025)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 3.10 million (2025)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 19.37 million (2025)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 18.52 million (2025)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 133.16 million (2025)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 126.12 million (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -8.85 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is government expenditure on tertiary education, constant ppp$ in India?
- Government expenditure on tertiary education, constant ppp$ in India was 174,281 millions in 2021, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on tertiary education, constant ppp$ recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 179,329 millions in 2020.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on tertiary education, constant ppp$ recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 24,077 millions in 1999.
- How does India rank for government expenditure on tertiary education, constant ppp$?
- India ranks 3rd out of 146 countries with data for 2021.
- Is government expenditure on tertiary education, constant ppp$ rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is up 96.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this India data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Government expenditure on tertiary education, constant PPP$ (millions). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release