Thailand Education Spending
Government expenditure on education as % of GDP SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS
Thailand's education spending was 2.24% in 2025, ranked 145th globally. This represents a 11.1% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1971–2025.
Overview
Thailand's education spending stood at 2.24% in 2025, a decline of +0.28% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 2.24% by 2025. Thailand ranked 145th globally.
Thailand’s public expenditure on education has fallen markedly since the turn of the millennium, when the share of GDP peaked at 5.25 % in 2000, to a level of 2.24 % in 2025, placing the country 145th in the world. The all‑time trough of 2.15 % occurred in 1974, shortly after the earliest recorded figure of 3.07 % in 1971, indicating a long‑term downward trajectory over the 50‑year span. By contrast, peer nations with similar rankings such as Trinidad and Tobago (2.23 % in 2025) and Türkiye (2.23 % in 2025) are maintaining slightly higher spending levels, suggesting that Thailand’s recent decline is not inevitable for countries at comparable income levels. The persistent reduction in education funding could constrain human‑capital development unless policy reforms reverse the trend; future budget allocations will be crucial in determining whether Thailand can close the gap with its peers and sustain improvements in educational outcomes.
Data & projection
| Year | Education Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 2.09% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 2.24% | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.24% | −0.28% | #145 |
| 2023 | 2.52% | −0.09% | #27 |
| 2022 | 2.61% | −0.37% | #29 |
| 2021 | 2.98% | −0.17% | #34 |
| 2020 | 3.15% | +0.13% | #36 |
| 2019 | 3.02% | −0.18% | #37 |
| 2018 | 3.20% | −0.27% | #45 |
| 2017 | 3.47% | −0.30% | #58 |
| 2016 | 3.77% | −0.10% | #62 |
| 2015 | 3.86% | −0.06% | #68 |
| 2014 | 3.92% | −0.20% | #72 |
| 2013 | 4.12% | −0.41% | #73 |
| 2012 | 4.54% | −0.27% | #87 |
| 2011 | 4.81% | +1.30% | #93 |
| 2010 | 3.51% | −0.35% | #53 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Thailand matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2017. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw education spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Thailand's education spending was 2.24% in 2025. Ranked 145th globally. This represents a 11.1% decrease from the previous year.
Thailand's education spending peaked at 5.25% in 2000.
The lowest education spending in Thailand was 2.15% in 1974.
Thailand ranks 145th globally in education spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Thailand's education spending is projected to reach 2.24% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The education spending of Thailand in 2025 was 2.24%. This ranks 145th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_thailand_education-spending-gdp,
title = {Thailand Education Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/thailand/education-spending-gdp/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}