Government expenditure on tertiary education, constant US$ (millions) in India
India: Government expenditure on tertiary education, constant US$ (millions) was 44,434 millions in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Government expenditure on tertiary education, constant US$ in India, 1999–2021
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in millions.
Analysis
The most recent figure for government expenditure on tertiary education, constant us$ in India is 44,434 millions, measured in 2021.
The figure 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 us$ in India peaked at 45,722 millions in 2020 and was at its lowest, 6,139 millions, in 1999.
That places India 4th out of 159 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 US$ (millions) in India, year by year
| Year | millions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 6,139 millions | — |
| 2000 | 7,570 millions | +23.3% |
| 2003 | 7,074 millions | -6.6% |
| 2004 | 7,052 millions | -0.3% |
| 2005 | 7,074 millions | +0.3% |
| 2006 | 7,805 millions | +10.3% |
| 2009 | 17,546 millions | +124.8% |
| 2010 | 19,299 millions | +10.0% |
| 2011 | 22,623 millions | +17.2% |
| 2012 | 22,498 millions | -0.6% |
| 2013 | 20,916 millions | -7.0% |
| 2015 | 27,394 millions | +31.0% |
| 2016 | 28,974 millions | +5.8% |
| 2017 | 36,743 millions | +26.8% |
| 2018 | 38,753 millions | +5.5% |
| 2019 | 38,582 millions | -0.4% |
| 2020 | 45,722 millions | +18.5% |
| 2021 | 44,434 millions | -2.8% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 44,434 millions is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 106.76 millions, 416.2× the median. (37 countries reporting)
- India's 44,434 millions is above the median for South Asia, which is 243.62 millions, 182.4× the median. (6 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Government expenditure on tertiary education, constant US$ (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% | 7,805 millions | 17,546 millions |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 6,139 millions | 6,139 millions | 6,139 millions | 1 |
| 2000s | 9,020 millions | 7,052 millions | 17,546 millions | 6 |
| 2010s | 28,420 millions | 19,299 millions | 38,753 millions | 9 |
| 2020s | 45,078 millions | 44,434 millions | 45,722 millions | 2 |
Countries ranked near India
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 us$ in India?
- Government expenditure on tertiary education, constant us$ in India was 44,434 millions in 2021, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on tertiary education, constant us$ recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 45,722 millions in 2020.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on tertiary education, constant us$ recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 6,139 millions in 1999.
- How does India rank for government expenditure on tertiary education, constant us$?
- India ranks 4th out of 159 countries with data for 2021.
- Is government expenditure on tertiary education, constant us$ 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 US$ (millions). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release