Burkina Faso Education Spending
Government expenditure on education as % of GDP SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS
Burkina Faso's education spending was 5.24% in 2025, ranked 47th globally. This represents a 1.7% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1978–2025.
Overview
Burkina Faso's education spending stood at 5.24% in 2025, a decline of +0.09% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 5.24% by 2025. Burkina Faso ranked 47th globally.
Burkina Faso’s public expenditure on education has risen markedly since the late 1970s, climbing from 1.68 % of GDP in 1978 to 5.24 % in 2025, a level that places the country at rank 47 globally and aligns closely with peer economies such as Australia (5.24 %) and the Maldives (5.25 %). The trajectory features a pronounced trough of 1.43 % in 1988, reflecting the fiscal constraints of the structural adjustment era, followed by a sustained ascent that culminated in an all‑time peak of 5.63 % in 2017. Over the 24‑year coverage period, the upward momentum has been driven by policy reforms aimed at universal primary schooling and increased teacher recruitment, while external development assistance has supplemented domestic resources. If fiscal space expands and reforms continue to target quality and equity, the share of GDP devoted to education is likely to maintain its upward trend, potentially surpassing the 2025 level in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Education Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 5.22% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 5.24% | - | - |
| 2025 | 5.24% | −0.09% | #47 |
| 2023 | 5.33% | +0.03% | #98 |
| 2022 | 5.29% | +0.05% | #126 |
| 2021 | 5.25% | +0.04% | #121 |
| 2020 | 5.21% | −0.24% | #112 |
| 2019 | 5.46% | −0.03% | #134 |
| 2018 | 5.49% | −0.14% | #138 |
| 2017 | 5.63% | +1.96% | #143 |
| 2015 | 3.67% | −0.38% | #60 |
| 2014 | 4.05% | −0.03% | #78 |
| 2013 | 4.08% | +0.48% | #71 |
| 2012 | 3.60% | −0.38% | #64 |
| 2011 | 3.99% | +0.48% | #71 |
| 2010 | 3.50% | −0.58% | #52 |
| 2007 | 4.08% | +0.10% | #50 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Burkina Faso matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2008. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw education spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Burkina Faso's education spending was 5.24% in 2025. Ranked 47th globally. This represents a 1.7% decrease from the previous year.
Burkina Faso's education spending peaked at 5.63% in 2017.
The lowest education spending in Burkina Faso was 1.43% in 1988.
Burkina Faso ranks 47th globally in education spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Burkina Faso's education spending is projected to reach 5.24% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The education spending of Burkina Faso in 2025 was 5.24%. This ranks 47th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_burkina-faso_education-spending-gdp,
title = {Burkina Faso Education Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/burkina-faso/education-spending-gdp/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}