Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$ in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$ was 389.43 millions in 2018. ◆ Volatile
Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$ in Sri Lanka, 1973–2018
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in millions.
Analysis
The most recent figure for government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ in Sri Lanka is 389.43 millions, measured in 2018. That is the highest value across all 29 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 22.7% on the previous year and up 147.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ in Sri Lanka peaked at 389.43 millions in 2018 and was at its lowest, 7.26 millions, in 1973.
Sri Lanka ranks 85th 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$ in Sri Lanka, year by year
| Year | millions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | 7.26 millions | — |
| 1975 | 8.11 millions | +11.6% |
| 1979 | 10.21 millions | +25.9% |
| 1980 | 16.88 millions | +65.3% |
| 1981 | 17.56 millions | +4.0% |
| 1982 | 20.28 millions | +15.5% |
| 1983 | 21.8 millions | +7.5% |
| 1984 | 27.2 millions | +24.8% |
| 1985 | 26.66 millions | -2.0% |
| 1986 | 37.76 millions | +41.6% |
| 1987 | 34 millions | -10.0% |
| 1988 | 33.95 millions | -0.1% |
| 1989 | 32.98 millions | -2.9% |
| 1990 | 33.2 millions | +0.7% |
| 1991 | 32.58 millions | -1.9% |
| 1994 | 54.57 millions | +67.5% |
| 1995 | 54.46 millions | -0.2% |
| 1996 | 56.76 millions | +4.2% |
| 2001 | 56.69 millions | -0.1% |
| 2009 | 157.36 millions | +177.6% |
| 2010 | 160.08 millions | +1.7% |
| 2011 | 209.72 millions | +31.0% |
| 2012 | 191.77 millions | -8.6% |
| 2013 | 254.5 millions | +32.7% |
| 2014 | 309.32 millions | +21.5% |
| 2015 | 348 millions | +12.5% |
| 2016 | 344.52 millions | -1.0% |
| 2017 | 317.26 millions | -7.9% |
| 2018 | 389.43 millions | +22.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 8.53 millions | 7.26 millions | 10.21 millions | 3 |
| 1980s | 26.91 millions | 16.88 millions | 37.76 millions | 10 |
| 1990s | 46.31 millions | 32.58 millions | 56.76 millions | 5 |
| 2000s | 107.02 millions | 56.69 millions | 157.36 millions | 2 |
| 2010s | 280.51 millions | 160.08 millions | 389.43 millions | 9 |
Countries ranked near Sri Lanka
More education data for Sri Lanka
- Theoretical duration of pre-primary education (years), annual growth 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Start of the academic school year (pre-primary to post-secondary non) 0.0494 % change on previous year (2025)
- Theoretical duration of lower secondary education (years), annual 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Theoretical duration of upper secondary education (years), annual 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Theoretical duration of secondary education (years), annual growth 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Start of the academic school year (tertiary education), gaps filled 2,024 tertiary education (2024)
- Start of the academic school year (tertiary education), annual growth 0.0494 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, teachers, gaps filled 73,333 (2023)
- Duration of pre primary education, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Duration of pre-primary education 2 years (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ in Sri Lanka?
- Government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ in Sri Lanka was 389.43 millions in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The highest recorded value was 389.43 millions in 2018.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The lowest recorded value was 7.26 millions in 1973.
- How does Sri Lanka rank for government expenditure on tertiary education, us$?
- Sri Lanka ranks 85th out of 164 countries with data for 2018.
- Is government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
- Over the last ten years it is up 147.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sri Lanka 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