Government expenditure on tertiary education, constant US$ (millions) in Iran
Iran: Government expenditure on tertiary education, constant US$ (millions) was 2,542 millions in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Government expenditure on tertiary education, constant US$ in Iran, 1971–2022
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in millions.
Analysis
Iran recorded 2,542 millions for government expenditure on tertiary education, constant us$ in 2022.
The figure is down 14.3% on the previous year and down 7.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on tertiary education, constant us$ in Iran peaked at 4,776 millions in 1977 and was at its lowest, 432.78 millions, in 1983.
That places Iran 42nd out of 159 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the middle of the range.
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 Iran, year by year
| Year | millions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 537.13 millions | — |
| 1972 | 575.35 millions | +7.1% |
| 1973 | 793.67 millions | +37.9% |
| 1974 | 861.35 millions | +8.5% |
| 1975 | 1,205 millions | +39.9% |
| 1977 | 4,776 millions | +296.5% |
| 1981 | 784.4 millions | -83.6% |
| 1982 | 533.27 millions | -32.0% |
| 1983 | 432.78 millions | -18.8% |
| 1984 | 1,194 millions | +175.9% |
| 1985 | 647.8 millions | -45.8% |
| 1986 | 670.4 millions | +3.5% |
| 1987 | 657.89 millions | -1.9% |
| 1988 | 583.51 millions | -11.3% |
| 1989 | 623.34 millions | +6.8% |
| 1990 | 676.06 millions | +8.5% |
| 1991 | 898.16 millions | +32.9% |
| 1992 | 1,047 millions | +16.6% |
| 1993 | 1,263 millions | +20.6% |
| 1995 | 1,742 millions | +37.9% |
| 1996 | 1,622 millions | -6.9% |
| 2001 | 1,642 millions | +1.3% |
| 2002 | 1,764 millions | +7.4% |
| 2003 | 1,717 millions | -2.7% |
| 2004 | 1,683 millions | -2.0% |
| 2005 | 1,627 millions | -3.3% |
| 2006 | 2,381 millions | +46.3% |
| 2007 | 2,649 millions | +11.3% |
| 2008 | 2,475 millions | -6.6% |
| 2009 | 2,597 millions | +4.9% |
| 2010 | 2,455 millions | -5.5% |
| 2011 | 3,111 millions | +26.8% |
| 2012 | 2,733 millions | -12.2% |
| 2013 | 2,120 millions | -22.4% |
| 2014 | 2,337 millions | +10.2% |
| 2015 | 2,588 millions | +10.7% |
| 2016 | 3,125 millions | +20.8% |
| 2017 | 4,055 millions | +29.8% |
| 2018 | 3,773 millions | -7.0% |
| 2019 | 3,151 millions | -16.5% |
| 2020 | 2,967 millions | -5.8% |
| 2022 | 2,542 millions | -14.3% |
Iran compared with similar countries
- Iran's 2,542 millions is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 569.76 millions, 4.5× the median. (43 countries reporting)
- Iran's 2,542 millions is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 1,162 millions, 2.2× the median. (16 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Government expenditure on tertiary education, constant US$ (millions) in Iran 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | +296.5% | 1,205 millions | 4,776 millions |
| 1984 | +175.9% | 432.78 millions | 1,194 millions |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 1,458 millions | 537.13 millions | 4,776 millions | 6 |
| 1980s | 680.84 millions | 432.78 millions | 1,194 millions | 9 |
| 1990s | 1,208 millions | 676.06 millions | 1,742 millions | 6 |
| 2000s | 2,059 millions | 1,627 millions | 2,649 millions | 9 |
| 2010s | 2,945 millions | 2,120 millions | 4,055 millions | 10 |
| 2020s | 2,754 millions | 2,542 millions | 2,967 millions | 2 |
Countries ranked near Iran
More education data for Iran
- Gender gap education levels, gaps filled 98.5 (2020)
- Primary enrollment selected countries, gaps filled 99.9 (2023)
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 406,399 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 108,066 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 519,698 (2020)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 505,053 (2020)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 6.62 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 9.09 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 3.31 % change on previous year (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is government expenditure on tertiary education, constant us$ in Iran?
- Government expenditure on tertiary education, constant us$ in Iran was 2,542 millions in 2022, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on tertiary education, constant us$ recorded in Iran?
- The highest recorded value was 4,776 millions in 1977.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on tertiary education, constant us$ recorded in Iran?
- The lowest recorded value was 432.78 millions in 1983.
- How does Iran rank for government expenditure on tertiary education, constant us$?
- Iran ranks 42nd out of 159 countries with data for 2022.
- Is government expenditure on tertiary education, constant us$ rising or falling in Iran?
- Over the last ten years it is down 7.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Iran 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