Nauru Education Spending
Government expenditure on education as % of GDP SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS
Nauru's education spending was 5.65% in 2025, ranked 34th globally. This represents a 0.5% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2002–2025.
Overview
Nauru's education spending stood at 5.65% in 2025, a decline of +0.03% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 5.65% by 2025. Nauru ranked 34th globally.
Nauru’s public expenditure on education has fallen sharply from its all‑time peak of 15.86 % of GDP in 2002 to a trough of 4.25 % in 2007, before stabilising at 5.65 % in 2025, placing the island nation 34th globally. The 13‑year series shows a persistent downward trajectory, with the most recent level only marginally above the 2007 low and well below the early‑2000s high. By comparison, peers such as Kuwait (5.70 %) and Jamaica (5.59 %) are spending at similar rates, suggesting Nauru’s current commitment is comparable to other small, resource‑limited economies but remains far short of its earlier ambition. The modest rebound since the trough reflects limited fiscal capacity rather than a policy shift toward higher educational investment. Continued economic diversification and external assistance will be crucial if Nauru aims to raise its education share above the current plateau and reverse the long‑term decline.
Data & projection
| Year | Education Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 5.64% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 5.65% | - | - |
| 2025 | 5.65% | −0.03% | #34 |
| 2023 | 5.68% | −0.24% | #103 |
| 2022 | 5.92% | +0.76% | #136 |
| 2021 | 5.16% | −0.74% | #116 |
| 2020 | 5.91% | +0.19% | #141 |
| 2019 | 5.72% | +0.67% | #140 |
| 2018 | 5.05% | −1.22% | #120 |
| 2017 | 6.27% | +1.45% | #155 |
| 2016 | 4.82% | −1.43% | #100 |
| 2015 | 6.25% | +1.78% | #145 |
| 2014 | 4.47% | +0.23% | #91 |
| 2007 | 4.25% | −11.62% | #56 |
| 2002 | 15.86% | – | #121 |
Analysis
Nauru's education spending was 5.65% in 2025, a decline of −0.03% from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 5.65% by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nauru's education spending was 5.65% in 2025. Ranked 34th globally. This represents a 0.5% decrease from the previous year.
Nauru's education spending peaked at 15.86% in 2002.
The lowest education spending in Nauru was 4.25% in 2007.
Nauru ranks 34th globally in education spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Nauru's education spending is projected to reach 5.65% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The education spending of Nauru in 2025 was 5.65%. This ranks 34th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_nauru_education-spending-gdp,
title = {Nauru Education Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/nauru/education-spending-gdp/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}