Lao PDR Education Spending
Government expenditure on education as % of GDP SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS
Lao PDR's education spending was 0.83% in 2025, ranked 164th globally. This represents a 33.1% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1992–2025.
Overview
Lao PDR's education spending stood at 0.83% in 2025, a decline of +0.41% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.83% by 2025. Lao PDR ranked 164th globally.
Lao PDR's education spending has been on a declining trend, with the latest value of 0.83 in 2025 ranking 164th globally. This is a significant drop from its all-time peak of 3.23 in 2013. In comparison, peer countries such as Lebanon have a slightly higher education spending value of 0.84, while Suriname has a lower value of 0.77. The all-time trough of 0.83 in 2025 indicates a substantial decrease in education spending over the years. Lao PDR's education spending has been steadily declining since its peak in 2013, with the latest value being the lowest in 27 years of coverage. As the country continues on this trajectory, a shift in policy priorities or increased investment in education would be necessary to change the downward trend in education spending.
Data & projection
| Year | Education Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 0.60% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.83% | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.83% | −0.41% | #164 |
| 2023 | 1.23% | −0.23% | #6 |
| 2022 | 1.46% | −0.40% | #10 |
| 2021 | 1.86% | −0.06% | #11 |
| 2020 | 1.92% | −0.21% | #10 |
| 2019 | 2.12% | −0.21% | #17 |
| 2018 | 2.34% | −0.16% | #20 |
| 2017 | 2.50% | −0.28% | #24 |
| 2016 | 2.77% | +0.04% | #27 |
| 2015 | 2.74% | −0.20% | #24 |
| 2014 | 2.94% | −0.30% | #34 |
| 2013 | 3.23% | +1.41% | #40 |
| 2012 | 1.82% | +0.11% | #8 |
| 2011 | 1.71% | −0.00% | #7 |
| 2010 | 1.71% | +0.05% | #12 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Lao PDR matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2023. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw education spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Lao PDR's education spending was 0.83% in 2025. Ranked 164th globally. This represents a 33.1% decrease from the previous year.
Lao PDR's education spending peaked at 3.23% in 2013.
The lowest education spending in Lao PDR was 0.83% in 2025.
Lao PDR ranks 164th globally in education spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Lao PDR's education spending is projected to reach 0.83% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The education spending of Lao PDR in 2025 was 0.83%. This ranks 164th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_lao-pdr_education-spending-gdp,
title = {Lao PDR Education Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/lao-pdr/education-spending-gdp/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}