South Africa: Education spending, percent of GDP

* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
 South Africa

Public spending on education, percent of GDP

 Latest value 6.15
 Year 2023
 Measure percent
 Data availability 1987 - 2023
 Average 5.17
 Min - Max 4.35 - 6.55
 Source UNESCO
The latest value from 2023 is 6.15 percent, a decline from 6.17 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 4.40 percent, based on data from 63 countries. Historically, the average for South Africa from 1987 to 2023 is 5.17 percent. The minimum value, 4.35 percent, was reached in 2003 while the maximum of 6.55 percent was recorded in 2021. See the global rankings for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.
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* indicates monthly or quarterly data series


Recent data
South Africa - Education spending, percent of GDP - Recent values chart

Historical series
South Africa - Education spending, percent of GDP - historical chart - 1987-2023




Definition: General government expenditure on education (current, capital, and transfers) is expressed as a percentage of GDP. It includes expenditure funded by transfers from international sources to government. General government usually refers to local, regional and central governments.

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 Related indicators Latest Reference Measure
 Education spending, percent of GDP 6.15 2023 percent
 Education spending, percent of government spending 18.65 2022 percent
 Literacy rate 90.00 2021 percent
 Female literacy rate, ages 15-24 97.00 2021 percent
 Male literacy rate, ages 15-24 96.00 2021 percent
 Youth literacy rate, ages 15-24 97.00 2021 percent
 Student teacher ratio, primary school 30.33 2015 students per teacher
 Primary school completion rate 91.54 2022 percent
 School starting age, primary school 7 2023 years
 Female to male ratio, primary school pupils 0.96 2020 percent
 Female to male ratio, secondary school students 1.09 2020 percent
 Female to male ratio, students at tertiary level education 1.41 2022 percent
 Preprimary school enrollment 17.55 2020 percent
 Primary school enrollment 96.10 2022 percent
 Secondary school enrollment 108.30 2022 percent
 Tertiary school enrollment 27.17 2022 percent
 Trained teachers in primary education 77.92 2002 percent
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