Guyana Education Spending
Government expenditure on education as % of GDP SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS
Guyana's education spending was 4.45% in 2018, ranked 90th globally. This represents a 4.6% decrease from 2017. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2018.
Overview
Guyana's education spending stood at 4.45% in 2018, a decline of +0.21% from 2017. Guyana ranked 90th globally.
Guyana’s education expenditure has hovered near 4.4 % of GDP for the past quarter‑century, recording 4.45 % in 2018, which places it 90th in the world and ties it with Colombia (4.45 %) and closely follows Korea (4.46 %). The indicator rose sharply to an all‑time peak of 9.38 % in 1979, reflecting the post‑independence drive to expand primary schooling, before slipping to a trough of 2.15 % in 2009 amid fiscal tightening and falling oil revenues. Since that low point, spending has recovered steadily, rising from 4.33 % in 1970 to the current level, indicating a renewed policy emphasis on human capital as the country prepares for larger oil‑derived fiscal resources. If the government sustains its commitment to allocate a larger share of future oil windfalls to education, the upward trajectory is likely to continue, potentially moving Guyana closer to regional peers such as Colombia.
Data & projection
| Year | Education Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 4.45% | −0.21% | #90 |
| 2017 | 4.66% | −0.07% | #110 |
| 2016 | 4.74% | +0.84% | #93 |
| 2015 | 3.90% | −0.46% | #71 |
| 2014 | 4.36% | +2.12% | #86 |
| 2012 | 2.24% | −0.27% | #21 |
| 2011 | 2.51% | +0.10% | #25 |
| 2010 | 2.41% | +0.26% | #21 |
| 2009 | 2.15% | −0.24% | #11 |
| 2007 | 2.39% | −0.73% | #13 |
| 2006 | 3.12% | −5.02% | #32 |
| 2005 | 8.14% | +2.63% | #106 |
| 2004 | 5.51% | −1.44% | #97 |
| 2003 | 6.96% | −1.41% | #97 |
| 2002 | 8.37% | −0.03% | #117 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Guyana 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
Guyana's education spending was 4.45% in 2018. Ranked 90th globally. This represents a 4.6% decrease from the previous year.
Guyana's education spending peaked at 9.38% in 1979.
The lowest education spending in Guyana was 2.15% in 2009.
Guyana ranks 90th globally in education spending as of 2018.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The education spending of Guyana in 2018 was 4.45%. This ranks 90th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_guyana_education-spending-gdp,
title = {Guyana Education Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/guyana/education-spending-gdp/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}