Malta Education Spending
Government expenditure on education as % of GDP SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS
Malta's education spending was 4.86% in 2025, ranked 57th globally. This represents a 2.9% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1971–2025.
Overview
Malta's education spending stood at 4.86% in 2025, a rise of +0.14% from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 4.86% by 2025. Malta ranked 57th globally.
Malta’s public expenditure on education has fallen to 4.86 percent of GDP in 2025, placing the country at 57th globally and just below the European Union average of 4.87 percent. The 2025 level is markedly lower than the all‑time peak of 7.58 percent recorded in 2011 and only modestly above the all‑time trough of 2.85 percent reached in 1982, indicating a long‑term downward drift after the early‑2010s high point. Over the 39‑year coverage period, Malta’s spending has consistently lagged behind peers such as Canada (4.81 percent) and Saudi Arabia (4.94 percent), suggesting that the island nation has not kept pace with higher‑spending economies. The decline from the 2011 apex reflects fiscal pressures and shifting policy priorities, while the modest recovery since the 1980s trough signals a cautious re‑investment in human capital. Continued economic growth and targeted reforms could stabilize or modestly raise education spending, but without policy adjustments the downward trajectory may persist.
Data & projection
| Year | Education Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 4.86% | - | - |
| 2025 | 4.86% | +0.14% | #57 |
| 2022 | 4.72% | −0.21% | #106 |
| 2021 | 4.93% | +0.13% | #110 |
| 2019 | 4.80% | +0.46% | #111 |
| 2017 | 4.34% | −0.61% | #92 |
| 2016 | 4.96% | +0.04% | #109 |
| 2015 | 4.91% | −1.94% | #108 |
| 2014 | 6.85% | −0.56% | #147 |
| 2013 | 7.41% | +1.16% | #145 |
| 2012 | 6.25% | −1.33% | #125 |
| 2011 | 7.58% | +1.37% | #135 |
| 2010 | 6.21% | +1.16% | #118 |
| 2009 | 5.05% | −0.43% | #72 |
| 2008 | 5.47% | −0.49% | #93 |
| 2007 | 5.96% | +1.53% | #92 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Malta matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw education spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Malta's education spending was 4.86% in 2025. Ranked 57th globally. This represents a 2.9% increase from the previous year.
Malta's education spending peaked at 7.58% in 2011.
The lowest education spending in Malta was 2.85% in 1982.
Malta ranks 57th globally in education spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Malta's education spending is projected to reach 4.86% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The education spending of Malta in 2025 was 4.86%. This ranks 57th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_malta_education-spending-gdp,
title = {Malta Education Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/malta/education-spending-gdp/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}