Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$ (millions) (US) in Kenya
Kenya: Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$ (millions) (US) was 423.48 millions in 2015. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2015)
423.48 millions
Change on year
up 6.2%
World rank
82nd
of 164 countries
All-time high
423.48 millions
in 2015
All-time low
9.51 millions
in 1971
Years of data
31
1971–2015
Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$ in Kenya, 1971–2015
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in millions.
Analysis
In 2015, government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ in Kenya stood at 423.48 millions. That is the highest value across all 31 years on record.
That represents a change of up 6.2% on the previous year and up 223.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ in Kenya peaked at 423.48 millions in 2015 and was at its lowest, 9.51 millions, in 1971.
That places Kenya 82nd out of 164 countries with data for 2015, 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, US$ (millions) (US) in Kenya, year by year
| Year | millions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 9.51 millions | — |
| 1972 | 10.92 millions | +14.8% |
| 1973 | 14.56 millions | +33.3% |
| 1974 | 14.85 millions | +2.0% |
| 1975 | 23.53 millions | +58.5% |
| 1976 | 20.96 millions | -10.9% |
| 1977 | 23.24 millions | +10.9% |
| 1980 | 59.9 millions | +157.8% |
| 1981 | 67.45 millions | +12.6% |
| 1982 | 58.29 millions | -13.6% |
| 1983 | 55.53 millions | -4.7% |
| 1984 | 39.65 millions | -28.6% |
| 1985 | 44.86 millions | +13.2% |
| 1986 | 52.56 millions | +17.2% |
| 1988 | 84.66 millions | +61.1% |
| 1989 | 82.38 millions | -2.7% |
| 1991 | 160.93 millions | +95.3% |
| 1992 | 99.23 millions | -38.3% |
| 1993 | 105.27 millions | +6.1% |
| 1994 | 58.05 millions | -44.9% |
| 1999 | 85.96 millions | +48.1% |
| 2000 | 78.34 millions | -8.9% |
| 2001 | 86.57 millions | +10.5% |
| 2003 | 103.73 millions | +19.8% |
| 2004 | 130.78 millions | +26.1% |
| 2006 | 203.66 millions | +55.7% |
| 2011 | 272.73 millions | +33.9% |
| 2012 | 406.98 millions | +49.2% |
| 2013 | 387.79 millions | -4.7% |
| 2014 | 398.64 millions | +2.8% |
| 2015 | 423.48 millions | +6.2% |
Kenya compared with similar countries
- Kenya's 423.48 millions is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 138.65 millions, 3.1× the median. (38 countries reporting)
- Kenya's 423.48 millions is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 90.22 millions, 4.7× the median. (39 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 16.79 millions | 9.51 millions | 23.53 millions | 7 |
| 1980s | 60.59 millions | 39.65 millions | 84.66 millions | 9 |
| 1990s | 101.89 millions | 58.05 millions | 160.93 millions | 5 |
| 2000s | 120.62 millions | 78.34 millions | 203.66 millions | 5 |
| 2010s | 377.92 millions | 272.73 millions | 423.48 millions | 5 |
Countries ranked near Kenya
More education data for Kenya
- Gender gap education levels, gaps filled 99.57 (2023)
- Primary enrollment selected countries, gaps filled 94.27 (2023)
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 168,396 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 235,728 (2016)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 1.44 million (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 1.44 million (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 6.74 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 8.04 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -0.7181 % change on previous year (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ in Kenya?
- Government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ in Kenya was 423.48 millions in 2015, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ recorded in Kenya?
- The highest recorded value was 423.48 millions in 2015.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ recorded in Kenya?
- The lowest recorded value was 9.51 millions in 1971.
- How does Kenya rank for government expenditure on tertiary education, us$?
- Kenya ranks 82nd out of 164 countries with data for 2015.
- Is government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ rising or falling in Kenya?
- Over the last ten years it is up 223.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Kenya 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.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 31 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
About this data
February 2026 Data Release