Hong Kong SAR, China Education Spending
Government expenditure on education as % of GDP SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS
Hong Kong SAR, China's education spending was 3.53% in 2025, ranked 98th globally. This represents a 7.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1971–2025.
Overview
Hong Kong SAR, China's education spending stood at 3.53% in 2025, a decline of +0.28% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 3.53% by 2025. Hong Kong SAR, China ranked 98th globally.
Hong Kong SAR’s education spending as a share of GDP reached 3.53 percent in 2025, placing it 98th in the world and roughly equal to Jordan’s 3.53 percent level. The territory’s fiscal commitment to schooling has risen steadily since the early 1970s, when spending was 2.37 percent, and peaked at 4.56 percent in 2004, a high point that reflected expansive reforms and infrastructure investment during the post‑handover expansion era. The lowest point occurred in 1982 at 1.67 percent, coinciding with a period of fiscal tightening amid global recessionary pressures. Over the 42‑year coverage span, Hong Kong’s spending trajectory has been upward‑sloping, albeit with modest fluctuations, suggesting a gradual prioritisation of human‑capital development. Continued increases are likely if the government maintains its current policy emphasis on tertiary education and digital learning, while any major fiscal shock or demographic shift could alter this positive trend.
Data & projection
| Year | Education Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 3.25% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 3.39% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 3.53% | - | - |
| 2025 | 3.53% | −0.28% | #98 |
| 2024 | 3.81% | +0.00% | #8 |
| 2023 | 3.80% | +0.07% | #64 |
| 2022 | 3.73% | −0.27% | #71 |
| 2021 | 4.00% | −0.41% | #72 |
| 2020 | 4.41% | +0.60% | #84 |
| 2019 | 3.81% | +0.48% | #71 |
| 2018 | 3.33% | +0.02% | #53 |
| 2017 | 3.31% | +0.02% | #50 |
| 2016 | 3.29% | +0.03% | #48 |
| 2015 | 3.26% | −0.31% | #44 |
| 2014 | 3.57% | −0.19% | #58 |
| 2013 | 3.76% | +0.25% | #60 |
| 2012 | 3.51% | +0.09% | #60 |
| 2011 | 3.42% | −0.09% | #52 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Hong Kong SAR, China matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2017. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw education spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Hong Kong SAR, China's education spending was 3.53% in 2025. Ranked 98th globally. This represents a 7.3% decrease from the previous year.
Hong Kong SAR, China's education spending peaked at 4.56% in 2004.
The lowest education spending in Hong Kong SAR, China was 1.67% in 1982.
Hong Kong SAR, China ranks 98th globally in education spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Hong Kong SAR, China's education spending is projected to reach 3.53% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The education spending of Hong Kong SAR, China in 2025 was 3.53%. This ranks 98th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_hong-kong-sar-china_education-spending-gdp,
title = {Hong Kong SAR, China Education Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/hong-kong-sar-china/education-spending-gdp/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}