United Kingdom: Education spending, percent of government spending

* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
 United Kingdom

Public spending on education, percent of public spending

 Latest value 11.82
 Year 2021
 Measure percent
 Data availability 1981 - 2021
 Average 12.20
 Min - Max 10.22 - 14.03
 Source UNESCO
The latest value from 2021 is 11.82 percent, a decline from 14.03 percent in 2020. In comparison, the world average is 13.59 percent, based on data from 155 countries. Historically, the average for the United Kingdom from 1981 to 2021 is 12.2 percent. The minimum value, 10.22 percent, was reached in 1986 while the maximum of 14.03 percent was recorded in 2020. See the global rankings or world map 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
United Kingdom - Education spending, percent of government spending - Recent values chart

Historical series
United Kingdom - Education spending, percent of government spending - historical chart - 1981-2021




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 5.91 2021 percent
 Education spending, percent of government spending 11.82 2021 percent
 Student teacher ratio, primary school 15.13 2017 students per teacher
 Primary school completion rate 101.07 2023 percent
 School starting age, primary school 5 2025 years
 Female to male ratio, primary school pupils 1.00 2020 percent
 Female to male ratio, secondary school students 1.02 2020 percent
 Female to male ratio, students at tertiary level education 1.27 2023 percent
 Preprimary school enrollment 105.76 2020 percent
 Primary school enrollment 102.17 2023 percent
 Secondary school enrollment 112.12 2023 percent
 Tertiary school enrollment 80.41 2023 percent
 PISA math scores 488.975 2022 index points
 PISA reading scores 494.405 2022 index points
 PISA science scores 499.670 2022 index points
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