Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$ (millions) (US) in Iran
Iran: Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$ (millions) (US) was 2,565 millions in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$ in Iran, 1971–2022
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in millions.
Analysis
In 2022, government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ in Iran stood at 2,565 millions.
That represents a change of down 9.0% on the previous year and down 49.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ in Iran peaked at 5,182 millions in 2017 and was at its lowest, 49.31 millions, in 1971.
That places Iran 38th out of 164 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the top quarter.
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 Iran, year by year
| Year | millions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 49.31 millions | — |
| 1972 | 58.11 millions | +17.9% |
| 1973 | 87.46 millions | +50.5% |
| 1974 | 139.47 millions | +59.5% |
| 1975 | 314.57 millions | +125.5% |
| 1977 | 1,558 millions | +395.4% |
| 1981 | 607.1 millions | -61.0% |
| 1982 | 466.13 millions | -23.2% |
| 1983 | 384.9 millions | -17.4% |
| 1984 | 1,187 millions | +208.4% |
| 1985 | 719.61 millions | -39.4% |
| 1986 | 811.72 millions | +12.8% |
| 1987 | 1,025 millions | +26.2% |
| 1988 | 583.47 millions | -43.1% |
| 1989 | 609.42 millions | +4.4% |
| 1990 | 609.81 millions | +0.1% |
| 1991 | 738.74 millions | +21.1% |
| 1992 | 805.87 millions | +9.1% |
| 1993 | 856.02 millions | +6.2% |
| 1995 | 731.24 millions | -14.6% |
| 1996 | 892.47 millions | +22.0% |
| 2001 | 864.68 millions | -3.1% |
| 2002 | 1,050 millions | +21.5% |
| 2003 | 958.42 millions | -8.7% |
| 2004 | 1,021 millions | +6.6% |
| 2005 | 1,170 millions | +14.5% |
| 2006 | 1,988 millions | +69.9% |
| 2007 | 2,487 millions | +25.1% |
| 2008 | 2,829 millions | +13.7% |
| 2009 | 3,437 millions | +21.5% |
| 2010 | 3,280 millions | -4.6% |
| 2011 | 4,623 millions | +40.9% |
| 2012 | 5,109 millions | +10.5% |
| 2013 | 4,215 millions | -17.5% |
| 2014 | 3,667 millions | -13.0% |
| 2015 | 3,572 millions | -2.6% |
| 2016 | 3,874 millions | +8.4% |
| 2017 | 5,182 millions | +33.8% |
| 2018 | 5,000 millions | -3.5% |
| 2019 | 3,469 millions | -30.6% |
| 2020 | 2,818 millions | -18.8% |
| 2022 | 2,565 millions | -9.0% |
Iran compared with similar countries
- Iran's 2,565 millions is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 485.82 millions, 5.3× the median. (44 countries reporting)
- Iran's 2,565 millions is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 988.38 millions, 2.6× the median. (16 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$ (millions) (US) 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 | +395.4% | 314.57 millions | 1,558 millions |
| 1984 | +208.4% | 384.9 millions | 1,187 millions |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 367.87 millions | 49.31 millions | 1,558 millions | 6 |
| 1980s | 710.44 millions | 384.9 millions | 1,187 millions | 9 |
| 1990s | 772.36 millions | 609.81 millions | 892.47 millions | 6 |
| 2000s | 1,756 millions | 864.68 millions | 3,437 millions | 9 |
| 2010s | 4,199 millions | 3,280 millions | 5,182 millions | 10 |
| 2020s | 2,691 millions | 2,565 millions | 2,818 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, us$ in Iran?
- Government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ in Iran was 2,565 millions in 2022, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ recorded in Iran?
- The highest recorded value was 5,182 millions in 2017.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ recorded in Iran?
- The lowest recorded value was 49.31 millions in 1971.
- How does Iran rank for government expenditure on tertiary education, us$?
- Iran ranks 38th out of 164 countries with data for 2022.
- Is government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ rising or falling in Iran?
- Over the last ten years it is down 49.8%. 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, US$ (millions). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release