Papua New Guinea Education Spending
Government expenditure on education as % of GDP SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS
Papua New Guinea's education spending was 0.67% in 2025, ranked 166th globally. This represents a 13.8% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1972–2025.
Overview
Papua New Guinea's education spending stood at 0.67% in 2025, a decline of +0.11% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.67% by 2025. Papua New Guinea ranked 166th globally.
Papua New Guinea's education spending has demonstrated a significant decline over the years, with the latest available figure standing at 0.67% of its gross national income, ranking 166th globally according to the World Bank. Notably, this represents a sharp drop from the peak of 7.39% in 1977, a period marked by high oil prices and substantial foreign aid. Conversely, the country's education spending has reached an all-time trough of 0.64% in 2022, underscoring the current challenges faced by the sector. In comparison, Suriname, a peer country, has maintained a higher education spending ratio of 0.77% during the same period. The precipitous decline in education spending has raised concerns about the country's ability to invest in its human capital and achieve sustainable economic growth. A reversal of this trend would likely require increased government commitment to education, as well as a boost in international aid or domestic revenue mobilization.
Data & projection
| Year | Education Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 0.65% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.67% | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.67% | −0.11% | #166 |
| 2023 | 0.78% | +0.14% | #4 |
| 2022 | 0.64% | −0.07% | #3 |
| 2021 | 0.71% | −0.18% | #3 |
| 2020 | 0.90% | +0.14% | #3 |
| 2019 | 0.76% | −1.11% | #3 |
| 2018 | 1.87% | −0.09% | #7 |
| 2017 | 1.96% | +1.11% | #9 |
| 2016 | 0.85% | −0.77% | #2 |
| 2015 | 1.63% | −5.76% | #4 |
| 1977 | 7.39% | +2.14% | #51 |
| 1972 | 5.25% | – | #40 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Papua New Guinea matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2022. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw education spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Papua New Guinea's education spending was 0.67% in 2025. Ranked 166th globally. This represents a 13.8% decrease from the previous year.
Papua New Guinea's education spending peaked at 7.39% in 1977.
The lowest education spending in Papua New Guinea was 0.64% in 2022.
Papua New Guinea ranks 166th globally in education spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Papua New Guinea's education spending is projected to reach 0.67% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The education spending of Papua New Guinea in 2025 was 0.67%. This ranks 166th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_papua-new-guinea_education-spending-gdp,
title = {Papua New Guinea Education Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/papua-new-guinea/education-spending-gdp/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}