Out of the OECD countries, Luxembourg was the country that spent the most on educational institutions per full-time student in 2020. On average, 23,000 U.S dollars were spent on primary education, nearly 27,000 U.S dollars on secondary education, and around 53,000 U.S dollars on tertiary education. The United States followed behind, with Norway in third. Meanwhile, the lowest spending was in Mexico.

The average for 2021 based on 44 countries was 4.56 percent. The highest value was in Kiribati: 14.2 percent and the lowest value was in Nigeria: 0.38 percent. The indicator is available from 1970 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

In 2021, Chile was the country that spent the highest share of its gross domestic product (GDP) on higher education, reaching 2.4 percent. Of this, 1.5 percent came from private sources. The United States followed behind with its total spending reaching 2.4 percent of its GDP. On the other hand, higher education spending in Saudi Arabia only amounted to 0.3 percent of its GDP. To find out more about the expenditure on higher education per student in selected countries worldwide, please click here.

The average for 2021 based on 35 countries was 3.9 percent. The highest value was in Kuwait: 7.76 percent and the lowest value was in Indonesia: 1.03 percent. The indicator is available from 1970 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

In 2021, Luxembourg was the OECD country that spent the highest amount on higher education per student, reaching roughly 35,000 U.S. dollars. This was even though it was the country that spent the lowest amount in terms of share of gross domestic product. The United States followed behind, with the United Kingdom in third. On the other hand, Mexico was the OECD country in which the lowest amount was spent per full-time student in higher education.

The average for 2022 based on 32 countries was 15.32 percent. The highest value was in Sierra Leone: 29.37 percent and the lowest value was in Nigeria: 4.3 percent. The indicator is available from 1972 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Education spending among countries in Europe ranged from *** percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in Sweden to *** percent of GDP in Ireland. As an overall average among member states of the European Union, the amount spent on education in Europe was *** percent of GDP in 2023.

Global Primary Education Expenditure by Country, 2023 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

This statistic shows the expenditure of different countries on primary school education per student in Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) U.S. dollars. In the USA, about 10.600 U.S. dollars is spent each year per primary school student.

Global General Government Expenditure on Education by Country, 2023 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

The average for 2021 based on 57 countries was 4.7 percent. The highest value was in Iceland: 8.22 percent and the lowest value was in Monaco: 1.42 percent. The indicator is available from 1970 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Competency-based Education Spending Market Outlook

The global competency-based education spending market size was valued at approximately USD 12 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach nearly USD 22 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 7% during the forecast period. This robust growth is primarily driven by the increasing demand for personalized education approaches and the need to align educational outcomes with real-world competencies. The market is witnessing a paradigm shift in learning methodologies, with a significant focus on skills and competencies rather than traditional grading systems. The growing acknowledgment of the gaps in traditional education systems, which often leave students unprepared for the workforce, has fueled the adoption of competency-based education models. This approach emphasizes mastering skills at one's own pace, thus catering to diverse learning needs and ensuring better educational outcomes.

Several growth factors contribute to the burgeoning competency-based education spending market. One of the primary drivers is the technological advancement that facilitates the development and deployment of competency-based learning tools and platforms. With the advent of sophisticated educational technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, educational institutions can now offer personalized learning experiences that adapt to the individual needs of students. Additionally, there is an increasing recognition among policymakers and educators of the shortcomings of traditional education systems that focus on time-bound learning rather than skill acquisition. Competency-based education models address this gap by allowing students to progress upon mastering specific skills, thereby ensuring that learning is more relevant and applicable to real-world scenarios. Furthermore, the proliferation of online learning platforms and digital content has enabled wider access to competency-based education, thereby driving its market growth.

Another crucial factor contributing to the market growth is the increasing involvement of governmental and non-governmental organizations in promoting competency-based education systems. Many countries are revising their educational policies to integrate competency-based models, recognizing the need to produce graduates who are equipped with the necessary skills to thrive in a rapidly changing job market. In addition, various international bodies are advocating for educational reforms that focus on skill development and lifelong learning. Such initiatives are pivotal in driving the adoption and expansion of competency-based education programs globally. Moreover, corporations are increasingly investing in competency-based training programs to ensure that their workforce is equipped with the requisite skills to remain competitive in the global economy. This trend has further stimulated demand for competency-based education, particularly in the corporate training segment.

The regional outlook for the competency-based education spending market indicates a diverse growth pattern across various regions. North America holds a significant share of the market, primarily due to the early adoption of innovative educational technologies and a strong emphasis on educational quality and outcomes. The region's well-established education infrastructure and the presence of numerous leading ed-tech companies foster the growth of competency-based education models. Europe also showcases substantial market potential, with countries like the UK and Germany spearheading educational reforms aimed at incorporating competency-based frameworks. Meanwhile, Asia Pacific is anticipated to exhibit the highest growth rate, with countries like India and China making significant investments in modernizing their education systems to meet the demands of a skilled workforce. Additionally, the increasing penetration of internet connectivity and mobile devices in this region further supports the widespread adoption of competency-based education programs.

Component Analysis

The competency-based education spending market can be broadly segmented into software and services. The software segment encompasses a wide array of technological solutions designed to facilitate competency-based learning. These solutions include learning management systems (LMS), educational content management systems, and adaptive learning platforms. The demand for such software is experiencing a surge due to the need for scalable and efficient educational delivery mechanisms. Educational institutions are increasingly investing in robust software solutions that can streamline the process of tracking stud

Countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council vary significantly in size, population, and available budget. In 2023, three of the six GCC countries budgeted more than ** percent of state expenditure on education. The remaining three budgeted between * and **** percent each. GCC investment in education Investment in education has become a key priority for GCC countries in recent years. Countries like Qatar and the United Arab Emirates even have campuses of American universities like Northwestern, NYU, and Michigan State. In 2021, all countries in the council saw an increase in the share of student enrollment, with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait recording only a marginal increase and the UAE topping the list with the biggest jump. Despite rising student enrollment, the average student-to-teacher ratio in the region remains low. Budget expenditure in the GCC Budget allocation for education comprised a significant share of the expenditure in most GCC countries. Saudi Arabia, which has the overwhelming share of schools in the GCC, dedicated the most significant portion of its budget to the education sector. Four out of the six countries spent a noticeably smaller portion of their expenditure on healthcare during the same period.

Global Current Tertiary Education Expenditure by Country, 2023 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

Korea Government Expenditure on Education: Total: % of GDP data was reported at 5.065 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 5.057 % for 2014. Korea Government Expenditure on Education: Total: % of GDP data is updated yearly, averaging 3.677 % from Dec 1970 (Median) to 2015, with 39 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.377 % in 1982 and a record low of 2.097 % in 1975. Korea Government Expenditure on Education: Total: % of GDP data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Korea – Table KR.World Bank: Education Statistics. 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.; ; United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Institute for Statistics.; Median;

Historical chart and dataset showing Italy education spending by year from 1995 to 2021.

In 2019, global education expenditure amounted to approximately ************* U.S. dollars, with the vast majority of this spending being from governments, or from development assistance. Private households spent around *** billion dollars in 2019.

In 2021, Norway and Iceland allocated around two percent of their GDP to early childhood education programs. In contrast, Chile and the United States devoted the largest shares of GDP to tertiary education among all OECD members, spending 2.4 and 2.3 percent, respectively.

Brazil BR: Government Expenditure on Education: Total: % of GDP data was reported at 5.497 % in 2021. This records a decrease from the previous number of 5.772 % for 2020. Brazil BR: Government Expenditure on Education: Total: % of GDP data is updated yearly, averaging 5.480 % from Dec 1995 (Median) to 2021, with 24 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.320 % in 2017 and a record low of 3.750 % in 2002. Brazil BR: Government Expenditure on Education: Total: % of GDP data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Brazil – Table BR.World Bank.WDI: Social: Education Statistics. 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.;UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). UIS.Stat Bulk Data Download Service. Accessed April 5, 2025. https://apiportal.uis.unesco.org/bdds.;Median;

Chad TD: Government Expenditure on Education: Total: % of Government Expenditure data was reported at 16.484 % in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 16.723 % for 2022. Chad TD: Government Expenditure on Education: Total: % of Government Expenditure data is updated yearly, averaging 12.872 % from Dec 1997 (Median) to 2023, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 17.060 % in 1999 and a record low of 8.119 % in 2010. Chad TD: Government Expenditure on Education: Total: % of Government Expenditure data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Chad – Table TD.World Bank.WDI: Social: Education Statistics. 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.;UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). UIS.Stat Bulk Data Download Service. Accessed April 5, 2025. https://apiportal.uis.unesco.org/bdds.;Median;