In most countries basic education is nowadays perceived not only as a right, but also as a duty – governments are typically expected to ensure access to basic education, while citizens are often required by law to attain education up to a certain basic level.1

This was not always the case: the advancement of these ideas began in the mid-19th century, when most of today’s industrialized countries started expanding primary education, mainly through public finances and government intervention. Data from this early period shows that government funds to finance the expansion of education came from a number of different sources, but taxes at the local level played a crucial role. The historical role of local funding for public schools is important to help us understand changes – or persistence – in regional inequalities.

The second half of the 20th century marked the beginning of education expansion as a global phenomenon. Available data shows that by 1990 government spending on education as a share of national income in many developing countries was already close to the average observed in developed countries.2

This global education expansion in the 20th century resulted in a historical reduction in education inequality across the globe: in the period 1960-2010 education inequality went down every year, for all age groups and in all world regions. Recent estimates of education inequality across age groups suggest that further reductions in schooling inequality are still to be expected within developing countries.3

Recent cross-country data from UNESCO tells us that the world is expanding government funding for education today, and these additional public funds for education are not necessarily at the expense of other government sectors. Yet behind these broad global trends, there is substantial cross-country – and cross-regional – heterogeneity. In high-income countries, for instance, households shoulder a larger share of education expenditures at higher education levels than at lower levels – but in low-income countries, this is not the case.

Following the agreement of the Millennium Development Goals, the first decade of the 21st century saw an important increase in international financial flows under the umbrella of development assistance. Recent estimates show that development assistance for education has stopped growing since 2010, with notable aggregate reductions in flows going to primary education. These changes in the prioritization of development assistance for education across levels and regions can have potentially large distributional effects, particularly within low-income countries that depend substantially on this source of funding for basic education.4

When analyzing correlates, determinants and consequences of education consumption, the macro data indicates that national expenditure on education does not explain well cross-country differences in learning outcomes. This suggests that for any given level of expenditure, the output achieved depends crucially on the mix of many inputs.

Dataset Overview 📝

The dataset includes the following key indicators, collected for over 200 countries:

• Government Expenditure on Education (% of GDP): Shows the percentage of a country’s GDP allocated to education.
• Literacy Rate (Adult Total): Represents the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write.
• Primary Completion Rate: The percentage of children who complete their primary education within the official age group.
• Pupil-Teacher Ratio (Primary and Secondary Education): Indicates the average number of students per teacher at the primary and secondary levels.
• School Enrollment Rates (Primary, Secondary, Tertiary): Reflects the percentage of the relevant age group enrolled in schools across different education levels.

Data Source 🌐

World Bank: This dataset is compiled from the World Bank's educational database, providing reliable, updated statistics on educational progress worldwide.

Potential Use Cases 🔍 This dataset is ideal for anyone interested in:

Educational Research: Understanding how education spending and policies impact literacy, enrollment, and overall educational outcomes. Predictive Modeling: Building models to predict educational success factors, such as completion rates and literacy. Global Education Analysis: Analyzing trends in global education systems and how different countries allocate resources to education. Policy Development: Helping governments and organizations make data-driven decisions regarding educational reforms and funding.

Key Questions You Can Explore 🤔

How does government expenditure on education correlate with literacy rates and school enrollment across different regions? What are the trends in pupil-teacher ratios over time, and how do they affect educational outcomes? How do education indicators differ between low-income and high-income countries? Can we predict which countries will achieve universal primary education based on current trends?

Important Notes ⚠️ - Missing Data: Some values may be missing for certain years or countries. Consider using techniques like forward filling or interpolation when working with time series models. - Data Limitations: This dataset provides global averages and may not capture regional disparities within countries.

Dataset from Singapore Department of Statistics. For more information, visit https://data.gov.sg/datasets/d_fa81cdad2b8e8d0d5ac6d97b992ea8e1/view

PLEASE READ THIS DATASET DESCRIPTION IN FULL BEFORE EXPORTING ANY DATA.

This dataset provides transparency about the names and amounts of payments from county school boards to payees. More information about the statute for this dataset is under Maryland Education Article §5-115.

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=ged&section=5-115&enactments=false

Each county annually reports payment information about any payee who received an aggregate payment of $25,000 in a fiscal year from a school board.

This started with Fiscal Year 2019 payments. We now have payments data through Fiscal Year 2024 (6/30/24).

Baltimore County is also required to provide the purpose of the payment and whether the payee is a minority business enterprise.

Montgomery County and Howard County data goes back to 2010. Baltimore County and Prince George’s County goes back to 2012. 2019 is the first year where are all counties were required to submit the data with payee names and amounts.

Separately, Prince George’s County is required to provide additional detail from Education Article §5-101. That info is not part of this dataset.

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=ged&section=5-101&enactments=False&archived=False

Context

Total general government expenditure on education (all levels of government and all levels of education), given as a share of GDP. The last two decades have seen a small but general increase in the share of income that countries devote to education.

Content

Although the data is highly irregular due to missing observations for many countries, we can still observe a broad upward trend for the majority of countries. Specifically, it can be checked that of the 88 countries with available data for 2000/2010, three-fourths increased education spending as a share of GDP within this decade. As incomes – measured by GDP per capita – are generally increasing around the world, this means that the total amount of global resources spent on education is also increasing in absolute terms.

The reference years reflect the school year for which the data are presented. In some countries the school year spans two calendar years (for example, from September 2010 to June 2011); in these cases the reference year refers to the year in which the school year ended (2011 in the example).

Acknowledgements

Data publisher's source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Published by: World Development Indicators - World Bank (2021.07.30). Link: http://data.worldbank.org/data-catalog/world-development-indicators Dataset: https://ourworldindata.org/global-rise-of-education

Inspiration

Which countries have the biggest expenditures when it comes to education?

Detailed tables showing the budget history of the U.S. Department of Education from FY 1980 to the FY 2018 President's Budget, by major program, and showing State allocations by State and by program from FY 1980-2017.

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;

This data table presents education expenditure in Canada as a proportion of GDP.

This table gives an overview of expenditure on regular education within the Netherlands.

The government finances schools, colleges and universities. It pays for research which is done by universities on its behalf. Furthermore it provides student grants and loans, allowances for school costs, provisions for students with a disability and child care allowances as well as subsidies to companies and non-profit organisations. The government reclaims unjustified payments for student grants and loans and allowances for school costs. It also receives interest and repayments on student loans as well as EU subsidies for education.

Parents and/or students have to pay tuition fees for schools, colleges and universities, parent contributions and contributions for school activities. They also have to purchase books and materials, pay for transport from home to school and back for students who are not eligible for subsidised transport, pay for private tutoring, pay interest and repayments on student loans, and repay wrongfully received student grants, loans and allowances for school costs. Parents and/or students receive child care allowances, provisions for students with a disability and an allowance for school costs as well as student grants and loans and scholarships of companies.

Companies and non-profit organisations incur costs for supervising trainees and apprentices who combine learning with work experience. They also contribute to the cost of work related education of their employees and spend money on research that is outsourced to colleges for higher professional education and universities. Furthermore they contribute to the childcare allowances given to households and provide scholarships to students. Companies receive subsidies and tax benefits for the creation of apprenticeship places and trainee placements and for providing transport for pupils.

Organisations abroad contract universities in the Netherlands to undertake research for them. The European Union provides funds and subsidies for education to schools, colleges and universities as well as to the Dutch government. Foreign governments contribute to international schools in the Netherlands that operate under their nationality.

The table also contains various indicators used nationally and internationally to compare expenditure on education and place it in a broader context. The indicators are compounded on the basis of definitions of Statistics Netherlands and/or the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development). All figures presented have been calculated according to the standardised definitions of the OECD.

In this table tertiary education includes research and development, except for the indicator Expenditure on education institutions per student, excluding R&D.

The statistic on Education spending is compiled on a cash basis. This means that the education expenditure and revenues are allocated to the year in which they are paid out or received. However, the activity or transaction associated with the payment or receipt can take place in a different year.

Statistics Netherlands published the revised National Accounts in June 2024. Among other things, GDP and total government expenditures have been adjusted upwards as a result of the revision.

Data available from: 1995

Status of the figures: The figures from 1995 to 2022 are final. The 2023 figures are provisional.

Changes as of 31 December 2024: The final figures of 2021 and 2022 and the provisional figures of 2023 have been added. As a result of the revision of the National Accounts, among other things, GDP and total government expenditures have been adjusted upwards. The indicators in this table that are expressed as a percentage of GDP and total government expenditure have been updated for the entire time series from 1995 on the basis of the revised figures.

When will new figures be published? The final figures for 2023 and the provisional figures for 2024 will be published in December 2025. More information on the revision policy of National Accounts can be found under 'relevant articles' under paragraph 3.

The “total expenditure per student” figure includes both operational and instructional expenditures. This indicator includes the following school districts: Champaign Community Unit School District #4, Fisher Community Unit School District #1, Gifford Community Consolidated Grade School District #188, Ludlow Community Consolidated School District #142, Mahomet-Seymour Community Unit School District #3, Rantoul City School District #137, Rantoul Township High School District #193, St. Joseph Community Consolidated School District #169, St. Joseph-Ogden Community High School District #305, Tolono Community Unit School District #7, and Urbana School District #116. Per student spending was included in the set of community indicators to illustrate some of the financial aspects of education in Champaign County.

Each district shows fluctuations in spending across the measured fiscal years; these fluctuations are independent of each other from district to district. There is no unifying county-wide trend in per student spending across the entire study period. All but 2 of the 13 districts had higher per student expenditures in FY 2023 than in FY 2022.

This data, along with a variety of other school district data, is available on the Illinois Report Card, an Illinois State Board of Education and Northern Illinois University website.

Sources: Illinois Report Card. (2023-2024). Champaign CUSD 4. Illinois State Board of Education. (Accessed 6 December 2024). Illinois Report Card. (2023-2024). Fisher CUSD 1. Illinois State Board of Education. (Accessed 6 December 2024). Illinois Report Card. (2023-2024). Gifford CCSD 188. Illinois State Board of Education. (Accessed 6 December 2024). Illinois Report Card. (2023-2024). Ludlow CCSD 142. Illinois State Board of Education. (Accessed 6 December 2024). Illinois Report Card. (2023-2024). Mahomet-Seymour CUSD 3. Illinois State Board of Education. (Accessed 6 December 2024). Illinois Report Card. (2023-2024). Prairieview-Ogden CCSD 197. Illinois State Board of Education. (Accessed 6 December 2024). Illinois Report Card. (2023-2024). Rantoul City SD 137. Illinois State Board of Education. (Accessed 6 December 2024). Illinois Report Card. (2023-2024). Rantoul Township HSD 193. Illinois State Board of Education. (Accessed 6 December 2024). Illinois Report Card. (2023-2024). St. Joseph CCSD 169. Illinois State Board of Education. (Accessed 6 December 2024). Illinois Report Card. (2023-2024). St. Joseph Ogden CHSD 305. Illinois State Board of Education. (Accessed 6 December 2024). Illinois Report Card. (2023-2024). Thomasboro CCSD 130. Illinois State Board of Education. (Accessed 6 December 2024). Illinois Report Card. (2023-2024). Tolono CUSD 7. Illinois State Board of Education. (Accessed 6 December 2024). Illinois Report Card. (2023-2024). Urbana SD 116. Illinois State Board of Education. (Accessed 6 December 2024).

This dataset contains school-level expenditures reported by major functional spending category starting with fiscal year 2019. It also includes school-level enrollment, demographic, and performance indicators as well as teacher salary and staffing data.

The dataset shows school-level per pupil expenditures by major functional expenditure categories and funding sources, including state and local funds (general fund and state grants) and federal funds.

School districts only report instructional expenditures by school. This report attributes other costs to each school on a per pupil basis to show a full resource picture. The three cost centers are:

1. Non-instructional per pupil spending reported at the school district level;
2. Instructional per pupil spending reported at the district level; and
3. Instructional per pupil spending reported at the school level

Economically Disadvantaged was used 2015-2021. Low Income was used prior to 2015, and a different version of Low Income has been used since 2022. Please see the DESE Researcher's Guide for more information.

This dataset is one of three containing the same data that is also published in the School Finance Dashboard: District Expenditures by Spending Category District Expenditures by Function Code School Expenditures by Spending Category

List of Indicators by Category

Student Enrollment

• In-District FTE Pupils
• Out-of-District FTE Pupils
• Total FTE Pupils

Student Demographics

• Student Headcount
• Low-Income % Headcount
• English Learner % Headcount
• Students with Disabilities % Headcount

Teacher Salaries

• Teacher FTE
• Teachers per 100 FTE Students
• Average Teacher Salary

Other Staff

• Instructional Coach FTE
• Instructional Support FTE
• Special Education Instructional Support FTE
• Paraprofessional FTE

MCAS Performance

• ELA Grades 3-8 % Meets Exceeds
• Math Grades 3-8 % Meets Exceeds
• ELA Grade 10 % Meets Exceeds
• Math Grade 10 % Meets Exceeds

District-Level FTE Pupils

District-Level State and Local Non-Instructional Expenditures Per Pupil

• Administration
• Benefits and Fixed Costs
• Operations and Maintenance
• Pupil Services

District-Level Federal Non-Instructional Expenditures Per Pupil

• Administration
• Benefits and Fixed Costs
• Operations and Maintenance
• Pupil Services

Sub-total A

District-Level State and Local Instructional Expenditures Per Pupil

• Guidance and Psychological Services
• Instructional Leaders
• Instructional Materials
• Other Teaching Services
• Professional Development
• Teachers

District-Level Federal Instructional Expenditures Per Pupil

• Guidance and Psychological Services
• Instructional Leaders
• Instructional Materials
• Other Teaching Services
• Professional Development
• Teachers

Sub-total B

School-Level State and Local Instructional Expenditures Per Pupil

• Guidance and Psychological Services
• Instructional Leaders
• Instructional Materials
• Other Teaching Services
• Professional Development
• Teachers

School-Level Federal Instructional Expenditures Per Pupil

• Guidance and Psychological Services
• Instructional Leaders
• Instructional Materials
• Other Teaching Services
• Professional Development
• Teachers

Sub-total C

Total A+B+C

This dataset includes expenditure data reported by school districts, charter schools, and virtual schools starting with fiscal year 2009. It also includes student enrollment, demographic, and performance indicators as well as teacher salary and staffing data.

In addition to showing the overall cost per pupil, this dataset provides detail about how much districts spend in major functional areas such as administration, teaching, and maintenance. For more information about the data and how to interpret it, please visit the School Finance Dashboard.

Economically Disadvantaged was used 2015-2021. Low Income was used prior to 2015, and a different version of Low Income has been used since 2022. Please see the DESE Researcher's Guide for more information.

This dataset is one of three containing the same data that is also published in the School Finance Dashboard: District Expenditures by Spending Category District Expenditures by Function Code School Expenditures by Spending Category

List of Indicators by Category

Student Enrollment

• In-District FTE Pupils
• Out-of-District FTE Pupils
• Total FTE Pupils

Student Demographics

• Student Headcount
• Low-Income % Headcount
• English Learner % Headcount
• Students with Disabilities % Headcount

Teacher Salaries

• Teacher FTE
• Teachers per 100 FTE Students
• Average Teacher Salary

Other Staff

• Instructional Coach FTE
• Instructional Support FTE
• Special Education Instructional Support FTE
• Paraprofessional FTE

MCAS Performance

• ELA Grades 3-8 % Meets Exceeds
• Math Grades 3-8 % Meets Exceeds
• ELA Grade 10 % Meets Exceeds
• Math Grade 10 % Meets Exceeds

Expenditures

• Administration
• Instructional Leadership
• Teachers
• Other Teaching Services
• Professional Development
• Instructional Materials, Equipment and Technology
• Guidance, Counseling and Testing
• Pupil Services
• Operations and Maintenance
• Insurance, Retirement Programs and Other
• Total In-District Expenditures
• Total Expenditures

This file contains information on expenditure on education made by local authorities. Data is at local authority, regional and national level and is unrounded. Data was collected via the S251 Outturn return made to the department in autumn 2024.

The FY 2017 System-Wide Report is the report of final DOE expenses. FY 2017 began on July 1, 2016 and ended on June 30, 2017. The financial data used in the FY 2017 System-Wide Report represents the DOE’s 2017 year-end audited spending condition. In addition to using the audited school registers as of October 31, 2016 for pupil counts, pupil enrollment data has been refined to count students with disabilities with Individual Education Programs (IEPs) for specialized classroom instruction based on their program recommendations as of December 31, 2016.

Forecast: Government Expenditure Per Student in Secondary Education in the US 2024 - 2028 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

Bangladesh BD: Government Expenditure on Education: Total: % of GDP data was reported at 1.775 % in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.712 % for 2022. Bangladesh BD: Government Expenditure on Education: Total: % of GDP data is updated yearly, averaging 1.831 % from Dec 1979 (Median) to 2023, with 37 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.221 % in 2016 and a record low of 0.938 % in 1980. Bangladesh BD: 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 Bangladesh – Table BD.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;

Forecast: Higher Education Expenditure on R&D in the US 2024 - 2028 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

This file contains school level information on the number of planned places and the planned expenditure for high needs places.

Forecast: Government Expenditure on Tertiary Education by Government Level in Finland 2024 - 2028 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

Key Table Information.Table Title.Expenditure of Public Elementary-Secondary School Systems in the United States: Fiscal Year 2012 - 2023.Table ID.GOVSTIMESERIES.GS00SS13.Survey/Program.Public Sector.Year.2024.Dataset.PUB Public Sector Annual Surveys and Census of Governments.Source.U.S. Census Bureau, Public Sector.Release Date.2025-05-01.Release Schedule.The Annual Survey of School System Finances occurs every year. Data are typically released in early May. There are approximately two years between the reference period and data release..Dataset Universe.Census of Governments - Organization (CG):The universe of this file is all federal, state, and local government units in the United States. In addition to the federal government and the 50 state governments, the Census Bureau recognizes five basic types of local governments. The government types are: County, Municipal, Township, Special District, and School District. Of these five types, three are categorized as General Purpose governments: County, municipal, and township governments are readily recognized and generally present no serious problem of classification. However, legislative provisions for school district and special district governments are diverse. These two types are categorized as Special Purpose governments. Numerous single-function and multiple-function districts, authorities, commissions, boards, and other entities, which have varying degrees of autonomy, exist in the United States. The basic pattern of these entities varies widely from state to state. Moreover, various classes of local governments within a particular state also differ in their characteristics. Refer to the Individual State Descriptions report for an overview of all government entities authorized by state.The Public Use File provides a listing of all independent government units, and dependent school districts active as of fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. The Annual Surveys of Public Employment & Payroll (EP) and State and Local Government Finances (LF):The target population consists of all 50 state governments, the District of Columbia, and a sample of local governmental units (counties, cities, townships, special districts, school districts). In years ending in '2' and '7' the entire universe is canvassed. In intervening years, a sample of the target population is surveyed. Additional details on sampling are available in the survey methodology descriptions for those years.The Annual Survey of Public Pensions (PP):The target population consists of state- and locally-administered defined benefit funds and systems of all 50 state governments, the District of Columbia, and a sample of local governmental units (counties, cities, townships, special districts, school districts). In years ending in '2' and '7' the entire universe is canvassed. In intervening years, a sample of the target population is surveyed. Additional details on sampling are available in the survey methodology descriptions for those years.The Annual Surveys of State Government Finance (SG) and State Government Tax Collections (TC):The target population consists of all 50 state governments. No local governments are included. For the purpose of Census Bureau statistics, the term "state government" refers not only to the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of a given state, but it also includes agencies, institutions, commissions, and public authorities that operate separately or somewhat autonomously from the central state government but where the state government maintains administrative or fiscal control over their activities as defined by the Census Bureau. Additional details are available in the survey methodology description.The Annual Survey of School System Finances (SS):The Annual Survey of School System Finances targets all public school systems providing elementary and/or secondary education in all 50 states and the District of Columbia..Methodology.Data Items and Other Identifying Records.Fall enrollmentTotal expenditureTotal current spendingCurrent spending - All functions - Salaries and wagesCurrent spending - All functions - Employee benefitsCurrent spending - Instruction - TotalCurrent spending - Instruction - Salaries and wagesCurrent spending - Instruction - Employee benefitsCurrent spending - Support services - TotalCurrent spending - Support services - Pupil support servicesCurrent spending - Support services - Instructional staff support servicesCurrent spending - Support services - General administrationCurrent spending - Support services - School administrationCurrent spending - Support services - Other and nonspecified support servicesCurrent spending - Other current spendingTotal capital outlay expenditureOther expenditure - Payments to other governmentsOther expenditure - Interest on debtDefinitions can be found by clicking on the column header in the table or by accessing the Glossary.For detailed information, see Government Finance and Employment Classification Manual...