Bahrain Education Spending
Government expenditure on education as % of GDP SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS
Bahrain's education spending was 1.61% in 2025, ranked 157th globally. This represents a 14.9% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Bahrain's education spending stood at 1.61% in 2025, a decline of +0.28% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.61% by 2025. Bahrain ranked 157th globally.
Bahrain’s education expenditure as a share of GDP has been on a steady decline since the early 2000s, falling from an all‑time peak of 2.87 % in 2006 to a trough of 1.61 % in 2025, the lowest level recorded in the World Bank series and ranking 157th globally. The downward trajectory contrasts with the modest rise observed in Pakistan, whose 2025 spending stands at 1.73 % of GDP, and with Andorra’s slightly lower figure of 1.55 %. Over the 21‑year coverage window, Bahrain’s average spending has slipped below the 2 % threshold that characterized its early years, when the 1970 level was 2.01 %. The persistent reduction suggests a reallocation of fiscal resources away from education, possibly reflecting competing priorities in infrastructure and diversification efforts. Unless policy reforms increase budgetary allocations or improve efficiency, the downward trend is likely to continue, keeping Bahrain near the lower end of regional education spending.
Data & projection
| Year | Education Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 1.53% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.61% | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.61% | −0.28% | #157 |
| 2023 | 1.89% | +0.18% | #15 |
| 2022 | 1.71% | −0.14% | #12 |
| 2021 | 1.85% | −0.21% | #10 |
| 2020 | 2.06% | −0.05% | #12 |
| 2019 | 2.11% | −0.28% | #16 |
| 2018 | 2.39% | +0.17% | #23 |
| 2017 | 2.22% | −0.59% | #14 |
| 2016 | 2.80% | +0.25% | #29 |
| 2015 | 2.55% | +0.18% | #21 |
| 2014 | 2.37% | −0.01% | #21 |
| 2013 | 2.38% | −0.16% | #20 |
| 2012 | 2.54% | +0.23% | #28 |
| 2011 | 2.31% | −0.04% | #18 |
| 2010 | 2.35% | −0.15% | #20 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Bahrain matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw education spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Bahrain's education spending was 1.61% in 2025. Ranked 157th globally. This represents a 14.9% decrease from the previous year.
Bahrain's education spending peaked at 2.87% in 2006.
The lowest education spending in Bahrain was 1.61% in 2025.
Bahrain ranks 157th globally in education spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Bahrain's education spending is projected to reach 1.61% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The education spending of Bahrain in 2025 was 1.61%. This ranks 157th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_bahrain_education-spending-gdp,
title = {Bahrain Education Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/bahrain/education-spending-gdp/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}