Education Spending: Hong Kong
Hong Kong's education spending is currently 3.806 % of GDP as of 2024. # Hong Kong Education Spending Hong Kong allocated 3.
Current (2024)
3.806 % of GDP
+0.1% y/y
Peak (2004)
4.559 % of GDP
Low (1982)
1.67 % of GDP
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1971–2024 · 41 pts
Education Spending — Hong Kong
1971 — 2024
Education Spending — Hong Kong
Analysis# Hong Kong Education Spending
Hong Kong allocated 3.806% of its GDP to education in 2024, remaining substantially below its all-time peak of 4.559% in 2004. The current spending level sits well above the historical low of 1.67% recorded in 1982, reflecting a 60.7% increase since 1971. Over five decades, Hong Kong has fundamentally expanded its education investment, though recent years show consolidation rather than growth.
A notable spike occurred in 2020, when spending reached 4.406% of GDP during pandemic-related disruptions. Since then, spending has stabilized around 3.8%, suggesting a new equilibrium below the early 2000s peak. The 2015–2019 period marked gradual increases from 3.262% to 3.810%, followed by volatility through 2022 before settling near 3.8%. Current spending patterns indicate Hong Kong has settled into a moderate investment tier, prioritizing education while maintaining fiscal constraints.
Historical Data
41 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3.806 % of GDP | +0.08% |
| 2023 | 3.803 % of GDP | +1.98% |
| 2022 | 3.729 % of GDP | -6.77% |
| 2021 | 4 % of GDP | -9.21% |
| 2020 | 4.406 % of GDP | +15.64% |
| 2019 | 3.81 % of GDP | +14.55% |
| 2018 | 3.326 % of GDP | +0.48% |
| 2017 | 3.31 % of GDP | +0.52% |
| 2016 | 3.293 % of GDP | +0.95% |
| 2015 | 3.262 % of GDP | -8.70% |
| 2014 | 3.573 % of GDP | -4.97% |
| 2013 | 3.76 % of GDP | +7.12% |
| 2012 | 3.51 % of GDP | +2.69% |
| 2011 | 3.418 % of GDP | -2.62% |
| 2010 | 3.51 % of GDP | -20.08% |
| 2009 | 4.392 % of GDP | +34.68% |
| 2008 | 3.261 % of GDP | -5.62% |
| 2007 | 3.455 % of GDP | -10.10% |
| 2006 | 3.843 % of GDP | -7.06% |
| 2005 | 4.135 % of GDP | -9.30% |
Show all 41 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 4.559 % of GDP | +6.39% |
| 2003 | 4.285 % of GDP | +6.70% |
| 2002 | 4.016 % of GDP | +2.87% |
| 2001 | 3.904 % of GDP | +43.11% |
| 1996 | 2.728 % of GDP | -3.54% |
| 1992 | 2.828 % of GDP | +14.68% |
| 1990 | 2.466 % of GDP | -3.63% |
| 1985 | 2.559 % of GDP | -0.89% |
| 1984 | 2.582 % of GDP | +0.12% |
| 1983 | 2.579 % of GDP | +54.43% |
| 1982 | 1.67 % of GDP | -26.50% |
| 1981 | 2.272 % of GDP | +3.65% |
| 1980 | 2.192 % of GDP | -5.64% |
| 1978 | 2.323 % of GDP | +4.69% |
| 1977 | 2.219 % of GDP | -8.80% |
| 1976 | 2.433 % of GDP | -0.65% |
| 1975 | 2.449 % of GDP | +3.77% |
| 1974 | 2.36 % of GDP | +8.11% |
| 1973 | 2.183 % of GDP | -4.92% |
| 1972 | 2.296 % of GDP | -3.04% |
| 1971 | 2.368 % of GDP | — |
Related Data
Other Metrics
For Hong Kong
Compare Education Spending
Same metric, other countries
Demographics
People & population data
No demographic data available.