Macao SAR, China Education Spending
Government expenditure on education as % of GDP SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS
Macao SAR, China's education spending was 5.04% in 2025, ranked 53rd globally. This represents a 43.9% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1998–2025.
Overview
Macao SAR, China's education spending stood at 5.04% in 2025, a rise of +1.54% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 5.04% by 2025. Macao SAR, China ranked 53rd globally.
Macao SAR’s public expenditure on education has risen steadily since the earliest World Bank record in 1998, when it stood at 3.35 percent of GDP, reaching an all‑time peak of 6.39 percent in 2020, the year before the pandemic disrupted many education systems worldwide. The lowest point occurred in 2007 at 2.04 percent, after which the territory embarked on a series of reforms that lifted spending to 5.04 percent in 2025, placing it 53rd globally and tying it with Switzerland, while slightly below Brazil (5.09 percent) and just above Saudi Arabia (4.94 percent). Over the 27‑year coverage period, the upward trajectory reflects Macao’s reliance on a service‑oriented economy and its commitment to human‑capital development, even as fiscal pressures from a shrinking gaming sector loom. Continued diversification of revenue sources and targeted investments in digital and vocational training could sustain or accelerate the current growth in education spending.
Data & projection
| Year | Education Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 5.09% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 5.04% | - | - |
| 2025 | 5.04% | +1.54% | #53 |
| 2023 | 3.50% | −2.56% | #54 |
| 2022 | 6.06% | +0.95% | #141 |
| 2021 | 5.11% | −1.28% | #114 |
| 2020 | 6.39% | +3.32% | #148 |
| 2019 | 3.07% | +0.33% | #39 |
| 2018 | 2.73% | +0.02% | #32 |
| 2017 | 2.71% | −0.39% | #32 |
| 2016 | 3.10% | +0.10% | #41 |
| 2015 | 3.00% | +0.95% | #32 |
| 2014 | 2.05% | −0.00% | #11 |
| 2013 | 2.05% | −1.27% | #13 |
| 2012 | 3.33% | +0.65% | #50 |
| 2011 | 2.68% | +0.06% | #31 |
| 2010 | 2.62% | +0.09% | #27 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Macao SAR, China matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2011. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw education spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Macao SAR, China's education spending was 5.04% in 2025. Ranked 53rd globally. This represents a 43.9% increase from the previous year.
Macao SAR, China's education spending peaked at 6.39% in 2020.
The lowest education spending in Macao SAR, China was 2.04% in 2007.
Macao SAR, China ranks 53rd globally in education spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Macao SAR, China's education spending is projected to reach 5.04% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The education spending of Macao SAR, China in 2025 was 5.04%. This ranks 53rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_macao-sar-china_education-spending-gdp,
title = {Macao SAR, China Education Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/macao-sar-china/education-spending-gdp/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}