Education Spending: Ghana
Ghana's education spending is currently 2.91 % of GDP as of 2022. # Ghana Education Spending Ghana allocated 2.
Current (2022)
2.91 % of GDP
-14.4% y/y
Peak (2011)
8.141 % of GDP
Low (1981)
1.808 % of GDP
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1971–2022 · 34 pts
Education Spending — Ghana
1971 — 2022
Education Spending — Ghana
Analysis# Ghana Education Spending
Ghana allocated 2.91% of its GDP to education in 2022, marking a significant decline from its all-time peak of 8.141% in 2011. Since 1971, education spending has contracted 31.1% relative to economic output, though current levels remain well above the historical low of 1.808% recorded in 1981. The country's commitment to educational investment has fluctuated considerably across five decades, reflecting shifting policy priorities and fiscal constraints.
The most striking trend emerged after 2013, when spending dropped from 4.576% of GDP to the current 2.91%—a nine-year decline of roughly 36%. This downward pressure intensified from 2017 onward, suggesting tightening budget allocations despite Ghana's growing economy. The 2022 figure represents the lowest spending level since 2010, indicating that education's share of national resources has become increasingly compressed in recent years.
Historical Data
34 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2.91 % of GDP | -14.44% |
| 2021 | 3.401 % of GDP | -0.23% |
| 2020 | 3.409 % of GDP | +8.12% |
| 2019 | 3.153 % of GDP | -18.86% |
| 2018 | 3.886 % of GDP | +9.96% |
| 2017 | 3.534 % of GDP | -19.59% |
| 2016 | 4.395 % of GDP | -0.88% |
| 2015 | 4.434 % of GDP | +0.77% |
| 2014 | 4.4 % of GDP | -3.85% |
| 2013 | 4.576 % of GDP | -42.21% |
| 2012 | 7.919 % of GDP | -2.73% |
| 2011 | 8.141 % of GDP | +46.92% |
| 2010 | 5.541 % of GDP | +4.21% |
| 2009 | 5.317 % of GDP | -7.66% |
| 2008 | 5.758 % of GDP | +4.31% |
| 2007 | 5.52 % of GDP | +7.23% |
| 2006 | 5.148 % of GDP | -30.64% |
| 2005 | 7.422 % of GDP | -1.51% |
| 2004 | 7.536 % of GDP | +40.75% |
| 2001 | 5.354 % of GDP | +30.27% |
Show all 34 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 4.11 % of GDP | +28.96% |
| 1988 | 3.187 % of GDP | -3.63% |
| 1987 | 3.307 % of GDP | -1.40% |
| 1986 | 3.354 % of GDP | +76.06% |
| 1982 | 1.905 % of GDP | +5.37% |
| 1981 | 1.808 % of GDP | -33.23% |
| 1980 | 2.708 % of GDP | +17.18% |
| 1979 | 2.311 % of GDP | -62.08% |
| 1977 | 6.095 % of GDP | +4.56% |
| 1976 | 5.829 % of GDP | +19.52% |
| 1975 | 4.877 % of GDP | +28.24% |
| 1974 | 3.803 % of GDP | -17.70% |
| 1972 | 4.621 % of GDP | +9.40% |
| 1971 | 4.224 % of GDP | — |
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