Portugal Education Spending
Government expenditure on education as % of GDP SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS
Portugal's education spending was 4.64% in 2025, ranked 66th globally. This represents a 2.0% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1973–2025.
Overview
Portugal's education spending stood at 4.64% in 2025, a rise of +0.09% from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 4.64% by 2025. Portugal ranked 66th globally.
Portugal's education spending has demonstrated a relatively stable trajectory over the past 47 years, with the latest value standing at 4.64% of GDP, ranking 66th globally. This growth can be attributed to the country's efforts to improve its education system, which reached its peak in 2009 at 5.56% of GDP. Conversely, the lowest point in education spending was in 1973, when it stood at 1.63% of GDP, highlighting the significant strides made in increasing investment in education over the years. A comparison with peer countries reveals that Portugal's education spending is comparable to that of Czechia, which also ranks 4th at 4.63% of GDP. However, other European nations such as Norway and Latvia have slightly higher education spending, ranking 64th and 65th respectively. To continue improving its education system, Portugal would need to sustain its investment in education, particularly in the face of an aging population and the need to adapt to emerging technologies.
Data & projection
| Year | Education Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 4.64% | - | - |
| 2025 | 4.64% | +0.09% | #66 |
| 2022 | 4.55% | −0.22% | #98 |
| 2021 | 4.77% | −0.09% | #102 |
| 2020 | 4.86% | +0.24% | #104 |
| 2019 | 4.63% | −0.05% | #105 |
| 2018 | 4.68% | −0.35% | #105 |
| 2017 | 5.03% | +0.13% | #127 |
| 2015 | 4.89% | −0.23% | #104 |
| 2014 | 5.12% | −0.15% | #110 |
| 2013 | 5.27% | +0.32% | #112 |
| 2012 | 4.94% | −0.17% | #102 |
| 2011 | 5.12% | −0.29% | #100 |
| 2010 | 5.40% | −0.16% | #102 |
| 2009 | 5.56% | +0.87% | #85 |
| 2008 | 4.70% | −0.23% | #69 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Portugal 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
Portugal's education spending was 4.64% in 2025. Ranked 66th globally. This represents a 2.0% increase from the previous year.
Portugal's education spending peaked at 5.56% in 2009.
The lowest education spending in Portugal was 1.63% in 1973.
Portugal ranks 66th globally in education spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Portugal's education spending is projected to reach 4.64% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The education spending of Portugal in 2025 was 4.64%. This ranks 66th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_portugal_education-spending-gdp,
title = {Portugal Education Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/portugal/education-spending-gdp/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}