Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$ (millions) (US) in Malaysia
Malaysia: Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$ (millions) (US) was 2,269 millions in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$ in Malaysia, 1971–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in millions.
Analysis
Malaysia recorded 2,269 millions for government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ in 2023.
The figure is up 12.3% on the previous year and down 58.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ in Malaysia peaked at 6,348 millions in 2011 and was at its lowest, 21.85 millions, in 1971.
Malaysia ranks 44th of 164 countries on this measure, 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 Malaysia, year by year
| Year | millions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 21.85 millions | — |
| 1979 | 150.31 millions | +587.8% |
| 1980 | 207.19 millions | +37.8% |
| 1981 | 260.55 millions | +25.8% |
| 1982 | 300.95 millions | +15.5% |
| 1984 | 319.11 millions | +6.0% |
| 1985 | 342.6 millions | +7.4% |
| 1986 | 362.89 millions | +5.9% |
| 1987 | 353.56 millions | -2.6% |
| 1992 | 648.29 millions | +83.4% |
| 1993 | 559.81 millions | -13.6% |
| 1994 | 635.19 millions | +13.5% |
| 1995 | 770.73 millions | +21.3% |
| 1996 | 1,180 millions | +53.1% |
| 1997 | 1,341 millions | +13.7% |
| 2000 | 1,796 millions | +33.9% |
| 2001 | 2,379 millions | +32.5% |
| 2002 | 2,572 millions | +8.1% |
| 2003 | 2,893 millions | +12.5% |
| 2004 | 2,472 millions | -14.6% |
| 2006 | 2,637 millions | +6.7% |
| 2007 | 2,795 millions | +6.0% |
| 2009 | 4,343 millions | +55.4% |
| 2010 | 4,364 millions | +0.5% |
| 2011 | 6,348 millions | +45.5% |
| 2012 | 5,137 millions | -19.1% |
| 2013 | 5,406 millions | +5.2% |
| 2016 | 3,348 millions | -38.1% |
| 2017 | 3,132 millions | -6.5% |
| 2018 | 3,430 millions | +9.5% |
| 2019 | 3,452 millions | +0.6% |
| 2020 | 2,020 millions | -41.5% |
| 2023 | 2,269 millions | +12.3% |
Malaysia compared with similar countries
- Malaysia's 2,269 millions is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 485.82 millions, 4.7× the median. (44 countries reporting)
- Malaysia's 2,269 millions is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 1,452 millions, 1.6× the median. (21 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$ (millions) (US) in Malaysia 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | +587.8% | 21.85 millions | 150.31 millions |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 86.08 millions | 21.85 millions | 150.31 millions | 2 |
| 1980s | 306.69 millions | 207.19 millions | 362.89 millions | 7 |
| 1990s | 855.94 millions | 559.81 millions | 1,341 millions | 6 |
| 2000s | 2,736 millions | 1,796 millions | 4,343 millions | 8 |
| 2010s | 4,327 millions | 3,132 millions | 6,348 millions | 8 |
| 2020s | 2,145 millions | 2,020 millions | 2,269 millions | 2 |
Countries ranked near Malaysia
More education data for Malaysia
- Gender gap education levels, gaps filled 88.9 (2024)
- Primary enrollment selected countries, gaps filled 88.03 (2024)
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 217,105 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 0 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 475,967 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 460,041 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 2.64 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 3.06 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -1.2 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ in Malaysia?
- Government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ in Malaysia was 2,269 millions in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ recorded in Malaysia?
- The highest recorded value was 6,348 millions in 2011.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ recorded in Malaysia?
- The lowest recorded value was 21.85 millions in 1971.
- How does Malaysia rank for government expenditure on tertiary education, us$?
- Malaysia ranks 44th out of 164 countries with data for 2023.
- Is government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ rising or falling in Malaysia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 58.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malaysia 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