Nicaragua Education Spending
Government expenditure on education as % of GDP SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS
Nicaragua's education spending was 2.29% in 2025, ranked 143rd globally. This represents a 20.2% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Nicaragua's education spending stood at 2.29% in 2025, a decline of +0.58% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 2.29% by 2025. Nicaragua ranked 143rd globally.
Nicaragua's education spending has exhibited significant fluctuations over the years. At 2.29% of its GDP, the country ranked 143 globally in 2025, a relatively stable position considering its history of volatility. This is particularly notable given its all-time peak of 5.35% in 1987, a year that saw a surge in spending amidst a complex economic landscape. Conversely, the country's all-time trough of 2.04% in 1970 serves as a stark reminder of the challenges it has faced in allocating resources to education. In comparison to its peers, Nicaragua's current spending ratio is comparable to that of Comoros, another lower-income nation. While education spending appears to be stabilizing, a significant shift in government priorities or economic growth could impact this trajectory, potentially prompting a reevaluation of the nation's investment in human capital.
Data & projection
| Year | Education Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 1.86% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 2.29% | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.29% | −0.58% | #143 |
| 2023 | 2.87% | −0.93% | #36 |
| 2022 | 3.80% | −0.29% | #74 |
| 2021 | 4.09% | −0.49% | #73 |
| 2020 | 4.58% | −0.02% | #95 |
| 2019 | 4.60% | +0.13% | #102 |
| 2018 | 4.47% | +0.12% | #94 |
| 2017 | 4.36% | +0.28% | #94 |
| 2016 | 4.08% | +0.00% | #75 |
| 2015 | 4.08% | −0.00% | #75 |
| 2014 | 4.08% | −0.40% | #79 |
| 2010 | 4.48% | +2.06% | #74 |
| 2003 | 2.42% | +0.03% | #17 |
| 2002 | 2.39% | −0.61% | #17 |
| 2000 | 3.00% | +0.08% | #36 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Nicaragua 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
Nicaragua's education spending was 2.29% in 2025. Ranked 143rd globally. This represents a 20.2% decrease from the previous year.
Nicaragua's education spending peaked at 5.35% in 1987.
The lowest education spending in Nicaragua was 2.04% in 1970.
Nicaragua ranks 143rd globally in education spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Nicaragua's education spending is projected to reach 2.29% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The education spending of Nicaragua in 2025 was 2.29%. This ranks 143rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_nicaragua_education-spending-gdp,
title = {Nicaragua Education Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/nicaragua/education-spending-gdp/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}