Ireland Education Spending
Government expenditure on education as % of GDP SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS
Ireland's education spending was 2.90% in 2021, ranked 31st globally. This represents a 9.0% decrease from 2020. Data from World Bank, covering 1971–2021.
Overview
Ireland's education spending stood at 2.90% in 2021, a decline of +0.29% from 2020. Ireland ranked 31st globally.
Ireland’s public expenditure on education has contracted sharply over the past five decades, falling from a high of 4.49 % of GDP in 1971 to an all‑time peak of 6.16 % in 2009 before reaching a trough of 2.90 % in 2021, placing the country 31st globally. The 2009 peak coincided with the pre‑financial‑crisis boom, when fiscal capacity allowed generous funding for schools and universities, but the subsequent sovereign debt crisis and austerity measures forced a sustained reduction in spending. By 2021, Ireland’s education outlay matched that of Chad (2.89 %) and remained just below Viet Nam’s 2.95 % share, underscoring a relative decline compared with many emerging economies that have been expanding their human‑capital investments. The 49‑year coverage of the data highlights a long‑term downward trajectory that contrasts with the earlier expansionary phase. If fiscal conditions improve and the government prioritises skills development to sustain economic growth, the downward trend could be halted or reversed in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Education Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2.90% | −0.29% | #31 |
| 2020 | 3.19% | −0.04% | #37 |
| 2019 | 3.23% | −0.07% | #47 |
| 2018 | 3.30% | −0.07% | #50 |
| 2017 | 3.38% | −0.28% | #54 |
| 2016 | 3.66% | +0.03% | #57 |
| 2015 | 3.62% | −1.11% | #58 |
| 2014 | 4.74% | −0.50% | #99 |
| 2013 | 5.23% | −0.48% | #111 |
| 2012 | 5.71% | −0.06% | #118 |
| 2011 | 5.77% | −0.28% | #119 |
| 2010 | 6.05% | −0.11% | #114 |
| 2009 | 6.16% | +0.70% | #95 |
| 2008 | 5.46% | +0.74% | #92 |
| 2007 | 4.72% | +0.17% | #69 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Ireland matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw education spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Ireland's education spending was 2.90% in 2021. Ranked 31st globally. This represents a 9.0% decrease from the previous year.
Ireland's education spending peaked at 6.16% in 2009.
The lowest education spending in Ireland was 2.90% in 2021.
Ireland ranks 31st globally in education spending as of 2021.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The education spending of Ireland in 2021 was 2.90%. This ranks 31st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_ireland_education-spending-gdp,
title = {Ireland Education Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/ireland/education-spending-gdp/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}