Trinidad and Tobago Education Spending
Government expenditure on education as % of GDP SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS
Trinidad and Tobago's education spending was 2.23% in 2025, ranked 146th globally. This represents a 25.9% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1980–2025.
Overview
Trinidad and Tobago's education spending stood at 2.23% in 2025, a decline of +0.78% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 2.23% by 2025. Trinidad and Tobago ranked 146th globally.
Trinidad and Tobago's education spending has experienced a significant decline over the years, with the indicator reaching an all-time low of 2.23% of GDP in 2025. This marks a stark contrast to the country's peak in 1984, when education spending accounted for 5.87% of GDP. The downward trend has persisted for over three decades, leaving Trinidad and Tobago ranked #146 globally in terms of education spending. This places the country behind peer nations such as Thailand, which has a comparable education spending ratio of 2.24% in 2025. The decline in education spending has likely contributed to a range of challenges in the country's education system. A reversal in this trend would likely require a significant increase in government investment in education, potentially driven by policy reforms or economic growth.
Data & projection
| Year | Education Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 1.97% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 2.23% | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.23% | −0.78% | #146 |
| 2023 | 3.01% | +0.34% | #38 |
| 2022 | 2.67% | −0.33% | #34 |
| 2021 | 3.00% | −1.25% | #35 |
| 2020 | 4.26% | +0.70% | #76 |
| 2019 | 3.55% | +0.08% | #63 |
| 2018 | 3.47% | +0.14% | #59 |
| 2017 | 3.33% | −0.88% | #51 |
| 2016 | 4.21% | −0.21% | #79 |
| 2015 | 4.42% | +0.83% | #85 |
| 2014 | 3.59% | −0.16% | #59 |
| 2013 | 3.75% | +0.18% | #59 |
| 2012 | 3.57% | −0.28% | #63 |
| 2011 | 3.85% | −0.36% | #67 |
| 2010 | 4.21% | +1.07% | #72 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Trinidad and Tobago matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2014. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw education spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Trinidad and Tobago's education spending was 2.23% in 2025. Ranked 146th globally. This represents a 25.9% decrease from the previous year.
Trinidad and Tobago's education spending peaked at 5.87% in 1984.
The lowest education spending in Trinidad and Tobago was 2.23% in 2025.
Trinidad and Tobago ranks 146th globally in education spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Trinidad and Tobago's education spending is projected to reach 2.23% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The education spending of Trinidad and Tobago in 2025 was 2.23%. This ranks 146th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_trinidad-and-tobago_education-spending-gdp,
title = {Trinidad and Tobago Education Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/trinidad-and-tobago/education-spending-gdp/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}