Sri Lanka Education Spending
Government expenditure on education as % of GDP SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS
Sri Lanka's education spending was 1.32% in 2025, ranked 160th globally. This represents a 27.8% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1973–2025.
Overview
Sri Lanka's education spending stood at 1.32% in 2025, a decline of +0.51% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.32% by 2025. Sri Lanka ranked 160th globally.
Sri Lanka's education spending has experienced significant fluctuations over the past 34 years, with the latest figure standing at 1.32% of the country's GDP. This represents a decline from the peak of 3.34% in 1996, which occurred during a period of relative economic stability in the country. Conversely, the all-time trough of 1.20% in 2022 highlights the challenges faced by Sri Lanka's education sector, particularly in recent years. In comparison, Monaco, a peer country, has maintained a higher education spending ratio of 1.52% over the same period. Sri Lanka's current education spending ratio is also comparable to Indonesia's 1.22%, which has shown stability despite being a lower-middle-income country. The trajectory of Sri Lanka's education spending is expected to remain a concern, with potential improvements contingent on sustained economic growth and a renewed focus on education investment in the country.
Data & projection
| Year | Education Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 1.25% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.32% | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.32% | −0.51% | #160 |
| 2023 | 1.83% | +0.62% | #12 |
| 2022 | 1.20% | −0.30% | #7 |
| 2021 | 1.51% | −0.05% | #8 |
| 2020 | 1.56% | −0.43% | #7 |
| 2018 | 1.99% | −0.61% | #9 |
| 2017 | 2.59% | −0.64% | #27 |
| 2016 | 3.23% | +1.12% | #44 |
| 2015 | 2.11% | +0.25% | #9 |
| 2014 | 1.86% | +0.29% | #8 |
| 2013 | 1.56% | +0.11% | #5 |
| 2012 | 1.45% | −0.29% | #3 |
| 2011 | 1.74% | +0.08% | #9 |
| 2010 | 1.66% | −0.39% | #10 |
| 2009 | 2.06% | −1.00% | #10 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Sri Lanka 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
Sri Lanka's education spending was 1.32% in 2025. Ranked 160th globally. This represents a 27.8% decrease from the previous year.
Sri Lanka's education spending peaked at 3.34% in 1996.
The lowest education spending in Sri Lanka was 1.20% in 2022.
Sri Lanka ranks 160th globally in education spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Sri Lanka's education spending is projected to reach 1.32% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The education spending of Sri Lanka in 2025 was 1.32%. This ranks 160th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_sri-lanka_education-spending-gdp,
title = {Sri Lanka Education Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/sri-lanka/education-spending-gdp/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}