South Korea: Education spending, percent of GDP

* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
 South Korea

Public spending on education, percent of GDP

 Latest value 5.41
 Year 2022
 Measure percent
 Data availability 1970 - 2022
 Average 3.57
 Min - Max 2.06 - 6.21
 Source UNESCO
 Available for Data download
The latest value from 2022 is 5.41 percent, an increase from 4.56 percent in 2021. In comparison, the world average is 4.23 percent, based on data from 155 countries. Historically, the average for South Korea from 1970 to 2022 is 3.57 percent. The minimum value, 2.06 percent, was reached in 1975 while the maximum of 6.21 percent was recorded in 1982. See the global rankings for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.
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 Recent values South Korea: Education spending, percent of GDP
 2022 5.41
 2021 4.56
 2020 4.53
 2019 4.42
 2018 4.22
 2017 4.11
 2016 4.12
 2015 4.24




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 5.41 2022 percent
 Literacy rate 97.97 2008 percent
 Female literacy rate, ages 15-24 100.00 2008 percent
 Male literacy rate, ages 15-24 99.91 2008 percent
 Youth literacy rate, ages 15-24 99.95 2008 percent
 Primary school completion rate 102.85 2024 percent
 School starting age, primary school 6 2025 years
 Female to male ratio, primary school pupils 1.00 2020 percent
 Female to male ratio, secondary school students 0.99 2020 percent
 Female to male ratio, students at tertiary level education 0.89 2024 percent
 Primary school enrollment 100.87 2024 percent
 Secondary school enrollment 96.25 2024 percent
 Tertiary school enrollment 111.85 2024 percent
 Trained teachers in primary education 100.00 2024 percent
 PISA math scores 522.000 2026 index points
 PISA reading scores 501.000 2026 index points
 PISA science scores 526.000 2026 index points
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