Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$ (millions) (US) in India
India: Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$ (millions) (US) was 41,927 millions in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$ in India, 1999–2021
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in millions.
Analysis
In 2021, government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ in India stood at 41,927 millions.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 2.7% on the previous year and up 90.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ in India peaked at 43,092 millions in 2020 and was at its lowest, 3,264 millions, in 1999.
India ranks 5th of 164 countries on this measure, 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, US$ (millions) (US) in India, year by year
| Year | millions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 3,264 millions | — |
| 2000 | 4,027 millions | +23.4% |
| 2003 | 3,738 millions | -7.2% |
| 2004 | 4,077 millions | +9.1% |
| 2005 | 4,422 millions | +8.5% |
| 2006 | 5,230 millions | +18.3% |
| 2009 | 14,326 millions | +173.9% |
| 2010 | 16,352 millions | +14.1% |
| 2011 | 22,060 millions | +34.9% |
| 2012 | 22,680 millions | +2.8% |
| 2013 | 20,045 millions | -11.6% |
| 2015 | 25,633 millions | +27.9% |
| 2016 | 25,898 millions | +1.0% |
| 2017 | 33,095 millions | +27.8% |
| 2018 | 37,764 millions | +14.1% |
| 2019 | 36,004 millions | -4.7% |
| 2020 | 43,092 millions | +19.7% |
| 2021 | 41,927 millions | -2.7% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 41,927 millions is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 138.65 millions, 302.4× the median. (38 countries reporting)
- India's 41,927 millions is above the median for South Asia, which is 234.71 millions, 178.6× the median. (6 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$ (millions) (US) 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 | +173.9% | 5,230 millions | 14,326 millions |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 3,264 millions | 3,264 millions | 3,264 millions | 1 |
| 2000s | 5,970 millions | 3,738 millions | 14,326 millions | 6 |
| 2010s | 26,614 millions | 16,352 millions | 37,764 millions | 9 |
| 2020s | 42,510 millions | 41,927 millions | 43,092 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, us$ in India?
- Government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ in India was 41,927 millions in 2021, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 43,092 millions in 2020.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 3,264 millions in 1999.
- How does India rank for government expenditure on tertiary education, us$?
- India ranks 5th out of 164 countries with data for 2021.
- Is government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is up 90.1%. 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, US$ (millions). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release