Tanzania Education Spending
Government expenditure on education as % of GDP SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS
Tanzania's education spending was 3.20% in 2025, ranked 116th globally. This represents a 1.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1971–2025.
Overview
Tanzania's education spending stood at 3.20% in 2025, a rise of +0.04% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 3.20% by 2025. Tanzania ranked 116th globally.
Tanzania’s education spending has risen steadily from 1.72 percent of GDP in 1971 to 3.20 percent in 2025, placing the country 116th globally and positioning it alongside peers such as Malaysia (3.19 percent) and Paraguay (3.25 percent). The trajectory features a pronounced trough of 1.47 percent in 1990, reflecting the fiscal constraints of the structural adjustment era, followed by a rapid ascent that culminated in an all‑time peak of 4.64 percent in 2013 as the government expanded primary school enrollment and invested in teacher training. Since that high, spending has moderated but remained above the 1990 low, indicating a sustained commitment to human capital despite a modest decline from the peak. Over the 32‑year coverage period, the upward trend suggests that future policy emphasis on universal secondary education and vocational training could lift the share of GDP devoted to education further, provided fiscal capacity and political will continue to align.
Data & projection
| Year | Education Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 3.20% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 3.20% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 3.20% | - | - |
| 2025 | 3.20% | +0.04% | #116 |
| 2024 | 3.16% | −0.10% | #5 |
| 2023 | 3.26% | +0.02% | #48 |
| 2022 | 3.24% | +0.12% | #51 |
| 2021 | 3.12% | −0.12% | #44 |
| 2020 | 3.23% | −0.37% | #40 |
| 2019 | 3.60% | −0.10% | #67 |
| 2018 | 3.70% | −0.73% | #68 |
| 2017 | 4.43% | +0.33% | #97 |
| 2016 | 4.10% | −0.09% | #76 |
| 2015 | 4.19% | +0.81% | #77 |
| 2014 | 3.38% | −1.25% | #52 |
| 2013 | 4.64% | +0.41% | #92 |
| 2012 | 4.23% | −0.35% | #79 |
| 2011 | 4.58% | +0.04% | #85 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Tanzania matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 2012. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw education spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Tanzania's education spending was 3.20% in 2025. Ranked 116th globally. This represents a 1.3% increase from the previous year.
Tanzania's education spending peaked at 4.64% in 2013.
The lowest education spending in Tanzania was 1.47% in 1990.
Tanzania ranks 116th globally in education spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Tanzania's education spending is projected to reach 3.20% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The education spending of Tanzania in 2025 was 3.20%. This ranks 116th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_tanzania_education-spending-gdp,
title = {Tanzania Education Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/tanzania/education-spending-gdp/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}