Timor-Leste Education Spending
Government expenditure on education as % of GDP SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS
Timor-Leste's education spending was 3.36% in 2025, ranked 108th globally. This represents a 35.9% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2008–2025.
Overview
Timor-Leste's education spending stood at 3.36% in 2025, a decline of +1.88% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 3.36% by 2025. Timor-Leste ranked 108th globally.
Timor‑Leste’s public expenditure on education has fallen sharply since the early post‑independence surge, dropping from an all‑time peak of 12.90 % of GDP in 2009 to a trough of 2.97 % in 2021, before modestly recovering to 3.36 % in 2025, which places the country at rank 108 globally. The 2025 figure is virtually identical to the spending share of peers such as Chad (3.37 %) and St. Lucia (3.34 %). Over the 16‑year series, the decline reflects constrained fiscal capacity and competing development priorities, while the recent uptick suggests a tentative policy shift toward rebuilding human‑capital investment. If fiscal space expands through improved tax collection or external assistance, the upward trajectory could accelerate, allowing Timor‑Leste to close the gap with regional comparators and sustain higher education financing levels.
Data & projection
| Year | Education Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 3.11% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 3.36% | - | - |
| 2025 | 3.36% | −1.88% | #108 |
| 2023 | 5.24% | +2.27% | #95 |
| 2021 | 2.97% | −0.68% | #33 |
| 2020 | 3.65% | −0.53% | #54 |
| 2019 | 4.18% | −2.67% | #86 |
| 2018 | 6.85% | −0.32% | #155 |
| 2017 | 7.17% | −0.96% | #162 |
| 2016 | 8.13% | −0.34% | #156 |
| 2015 | 8.47% | +0.95% | #159 |
| 2014 | 7.51% | +1.85% | #152 |
| 2013 | 5.67% | −1.50% | #121 |
| 2012 | 7.16% | −3.03% | #137 |
| 2011 | 10.19% | −0.91% | #141 |
| 2010 | 11.11% | −1.80% | #136 |
| 2009 | 12.90% | +4.23% | #114 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Timor-Leste matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw education spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Timor-Leste's education spending was 3.36% in 2025. Ranked 108th globally. This represents a 35.9% decrease from the previous year.
Timor-Leste's education spending peaked at 12.90% in 2009.
The lowest education spending in Timor-Leste was 2.97% in 2021.
Timor-Leste ranks 108th globally in education spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Timor-Leste's education spending is projected to reach 3.36% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The education spending of Timor-Leste in 2025 was 3.36%. This ranks 108th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_timor-leste_education-spending-gdp,
title = {Timor-Leste Education Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/timor-leste/education-spending-gdp/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}