Iraq Education Spending
Government expenditure on education as % of GDP SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS
Iraq's education spending was 3.55% in 1989, ranked 21st globally. This represents a 46.5% increase from 1988. Data from World Bank, covering 1977–1989.
Overview
Iraq's education spending stood at 3.55% in 1989, a rise of +1.13% from 1980. Iraq ranked 21st globally.
Iraq’s public education expenditure as a share of GDP fell from its all‑time peak of 3.86 % in 1977 to a trough of 2.42 % in 1980, before stabilising at 3.55 % in the latest year of observation, 1989, ranking it 21st globally. The post‑peak decline coincided with the political and economic upheavals of the early 1980s, yet the 1989 level matches the spending share of Spain (3.55 %) and exceeds that of Portugal (3.48 %) and Mauritius (3.47 %). Over the three‑year coverage period the figure shows modest recovery from the early‑1980s low, suggesting a re‑allocation of resources toward schooling despite broader fiscal constraints. Continued improvement will depend on sustained fiscal capacity and political stability, which could lift the education share further if macro‑economic conditions permit.
Data & projection
| Year | Education Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 3.55% | +1.13% | #21 |
| 1980 | 2.42% | −1.43% | #12 |
| 1977 | 3.86% | – | #19 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Iraq matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2022. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw education spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Iraq's education spending was 3.55% in 1989. Ranked 21st globally. This represents a 46.5% increase from the previous year.
Iraq's education spending peaked at 3.86% in 1977.
The lowest education spending in Iraq was 2.42% in 1980.
Iraq ranks 21st globally in education spending as of 1989.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The education spending of Iraq in 1989 was 3.55%. This ranks 21st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_iraq_education-spending-gdp,
title = {Iraq Education Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/iraq/education-spending-gdp/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}