Guatemala Education Spending
Government expenditure on education as % of GDP SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS
Guatemala's education spending was 3.07% in 2025, ranked 120th globally. This represents a 1.0% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Guatemala's education spending stood at 3.07% in 2025, a decline of +0.03% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 3.07% by 2025. Guatemala ranked 120th globally.
Guatemala’s public spending on education has risen steadily from 1.86 percent of GDP in 1970 to 3.07 percent in 2025, placing the country at rank 120 globally. The upward trajectory accelerated after the all‑time trough of 1.44 percent in 1994, reaching a peak of 3.29 percent in 2020 before a modest decline to the current level. Over the 25‑year coverage window, the share of GDP devoted to schools, colleges and vocational training has expanded by roughly 0.63 percentage points, outpacing the 3.04 percent recorded by Uganda and matching Madagascar’s 3.07 percent in the same year. The modest dip from the 2020 high reflects fiscal pressures from the COVID‑19 pandemic and competing budgetary priorities, yet the long‑run trend remains positive. Continued economic growth, coupled with reforms that enhance resource efficiency and broaden tax bases, could restore the upward momentum and push Guatemala’s education spending above the regional average in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Education Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 3.05% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 3.07% | - | - |
| 2025 | 3.07% | −0.03% | #120 |
| 2023 | 3.11% | −0.10% | #42 |
| 2022 | 3.21% | +0.12% | #50 |
| 2021 | 3.09% | −0.20% | #40 |
| 2020 | 3.29% | +0.10% | #43 |
| 2019 | 3.19% | +0.06% | #46 |
| 2018 | 3.13% | +0.18% | #44 |
| 2017 | 2.95% | +0.01% | #39 |
| 2016 | 2.94% | −0.09% | #34 |
| 2015 | 3.03% | +0.04% | #34 |
| 2014 | 2.99% | +0.10% | #36 |
| 2013 | 2.89% | −0.12% | #35 |
| 2012 | 3.01% | +0.04% | #41 |
| 2011 | 2.97% | +0.12% | #37 |
| 2010 | 2.85% | −0.39% | #35 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Guatemala matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw education spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Guatemala's education spending was 3.07% in 2025. Ranked 120th globally. This represents a 1.0% decrease from the previous year.
Guatemala's education spending peaked at 3.29% in 2020.
The lowest education spending in Guatemala was 1.44% in 1994.
Guatemala ranks 120th globally in education spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Guatemala's education spending is projected to reach 3.07% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The education spending of Guatemala in 2025 was 3.07%. This ranks 120th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_guatemala_education-spending-gdp,
title = {Guatemala Education Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/guatemala/education-spending-gdp/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}