USA: Education spending, percent of government spending

* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
 USA

Public spending on education, percent of public spending

 Latest value 12.65
 Year 2020
 Measure percent
 Data availability 1972 - 2020
 Average 15.97
 Min - Max 12.65 - 17.99
 Source UNESCO
The latest value from 2020 is 12.65 percent, a decline from 15.52 percent in 2019. In comparison, the world average is 13.86 percent, based on data from 155 countries. Historically, the average for the USA from 1972 to 2020 is 15.97 percent. The minimum value, 12.65 percent, was reached in 2020 while the maximum of 17.99 percent was recorded in 2000. 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
USA - Education spending, percent of government spending - Recent values chart

Historical series
USA - Education spending, percent of government spending - historical chart - 1972-2020




Definition: 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.

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 Related indicators Latest Reference Measure
 Education spending, percent of GDP 5.43 2021 percent
 Education spending, percent of government spending 12.65 2020 percent
 Student teacher ratio, primary school 14.20 2017 students per teacher
 Primary school completion rate 95.74 2022 percent
 School starting age, primary school 6 2023 years
 Female to male ratio, primary school pupils 1.00 2020 percent
 Female to male ratio, secondary school students 0.98 2020 percent
 Female to male ratio, students at tertiary level education 1.32 2022 percent
 Preprimary school enrollment 72.40 2020 percent
 Primary school enrollment 96.97 2022 percent
 Secondary school enrollment 97.47 2022 percent
 Tertiary school enrollment 79.36 2022 percent
 Trained teachers in primary education 100.00 2022 percent
 PISA math scores 464.888 2022 index points
 PISA reading scores 503.938 2022 index points
 PISA science scores 499.414 2022 index points
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