Kiribati Education Spending
Government expenditure on education as % of GDP SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS
Kiribati's education spending was 16.10% in 2025, ranked 1st globally. This represents a 1.8% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Kiribati's education spending stood at 16.10% in 2025, a decline of +0.29% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 16.10% by 2025. Kiribati ranked 1st globally.
Kiribati’s education spending has risen dramatically since the early 1970s, climbing from 5.93 % of GDP in 1970 to a record 16.39 % in 2023, the highest share among all nations in 2025 at 16.10 %. The all‑time trough of 3.88 % in 1974 marks the low point before a sustained expansion that reflects successive policy commitments to universal primary enrolment and secondary school construction across the archipelago. Over the 19‑year coverage period, the average share has more than doubled, outpacing regional peers such as Tuvalu (15.60 % in 2025) and Vanuatu (14.53 % in 2025). The upward trajectory coincides with increased external assistance and reforms aimed at improving teacher quality and curriculum relevance. If fiscal capacity remains robust and climate‑related disruptions are mitigated, Kiribati is likely to maintain its leading position in education expenditure, further consolidating human‑capital gains.
Data & projection
| Year | Education Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 16.33% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 16.10% | - | - |
| 2025 | 16.10% | −0.29% | #1 |
| 2023 | 16.39% | +1.60% | #119 |
| 2022 | 14.79% | +0.80% | #163 |
| 2021 | 13.99% | −2.24% | #166 |
| 2020 | 16.23% | +1.71% | #170 |
| 2019 | 14.52% | +1.60% | #167 |
| 2018 | 12.92% | +1.44% | #167 |
| 2017 | 11.48% | −0.17% | #171 |
| 2016 | 11.65% | +0.88% | #161 |
| 2015 | 10.77% | −0.74% | #162 |
| 2014 | 11.51% | −0.58% | #159 |
| 2013 | 12.09% | −0.41% | #153 |
| 2012 | 12.50% | +0.85% | #149 |
| 2001 | 11.65% | +1.61% | #112 |
| 2000 | 10.04% | +0.34% | #118 |
Analysis
Kiribati's education spending was 16.10% in 2025, a decline of −0.29% from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 16.10% by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kiribati's education spending was 16.10% in 2025. Ranked 1st globally. This represents a 1.8% decrease from the previous year.
Kiribati's education spending peaked at 16.39% in 2023.
The lowest education spending in Kiribati was 3.88% in 1974.
Kiribati ranks 1st globally in education spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Kiribati's education spending is projected to reach 16.10% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The education spending of Kiribati in 2025 was 16.10%. This ranks 1st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_kiribati_education-spending-gdp,
title = {Kiribati Education Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/kiribati/education-spending-gdp/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}