South Africa Education Spending 2001-2023

General government expenditure on education (current, capital, and transfers) is expressed as a percentage of total general government expenditure on all sectors (including health, education, social services, etc.). It includes expenditure funded by transfers from international sources to government. General government usually refers to local, regional and central governments.
  • South Africa education spending for 2021 was 18.42%, a 1.11% decline from 2020.
  • South Africa education spending for 2020 was 19.53%, a 0.07% decline from 2019.
  • South Africa education spending for 2019 was 19.60%, a 0.69% increase from 2018.
  • South Africa education spending for 2018 was 18.90%, a 0.18% increase from 2017.
Data Source: World Bank

MLA Citation:
Similar Country Ranking
Country Name Education Spending (% of GDP)
Namibia 24.81%
Guatemala 22.96%
Belize 22.17%
Kazakhstan 20.34%
South Africa 18.42%
Dominican Republic 18.01%
Peru 17.87%
Belarus 16.54%
Malaysia 16.37%
Algeria 16.21%
Gabon 15.12%
Thailand 14.69%
St. Lucia 14.47%
Fiji 14.46%
Mauritius 14.32%
Tonga 12.65%
Maldives 11.91%
Azerbaijan 11.48%
Ecuador 10.40%
Suriname 10.11%
Grenada 10.06%
Jordan 9.66%
Paraguay 9.64%
Dominica 8.29%
Armenia 8.28%
Nauru 3.63%
South Africa Education Spending - Historical Data
Year Education Spending (% of GDP) Annual Change
2021 18.42% -1.11%
2020 19.53% -0.07%
2019 19.60% 0.69%
2018 18.90% 0.18%
2017 18.72% 0.67%
2016 18.05% -0.65%
2015 18.70% -0.29%
2014 18.99% 0.29%
2013 18.70% -0.99%
2012 19.68% 0.98%
2011 18.70% 0.66%
2010 18.04% -0.26%
2009 18.31% 0.40%
2008 17.91% -0.12%
2007 18.03% 0.02%
2006 18.01% -1.92%
2005 19.93% -0.01%
2004 19.93% 0.34%
2003 19.59% -0.50%
2002 20.10% -0.38%
2001 20.47% -0.38%