Education Spending: Ireland
Ireland's education spending is currently 2.905 % of GDP as of 2021. # Ireland Education Spending Ireland allocated 2.
Current (2021)
2.905 % of GDP
-9.0% y/y
Peak (2009)
6.156 % of GDP
Low (2021)
2.905 % of GDP
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1971–2021 · 49 pts
Education Spending — Ireland
1971 — 2021
Education Spending — Ireland
Analysis# Ireland Education Spending
Ireland allocated 2.905% of GDP to education in 2021, marking the lowest point in the dataset spanning 1971 to 2021. This represents a dramatic 35.2% decline over five decades, contrasting sharply with the all-time peak of 6.156% in 2009. The 2021 figure reflects a sharp downward trajectory that accelerated after the global financial crisis.
A critical turning point occurred between 2012 and 2015, when education spending plummeted from 5.708% to 3.624% of GDP—a 36% drop in just three years. Following this steep decline, spending stabilized at lower levels, hovering between 2.9% and 3.3% from 2018 onward. The sustained contraction suggests education investment remains constrained relative to historical norms and raises questions about long-term capacity in Ireland's education system.
Historical Data
49 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2.905 % of GDP | -8.99% |
| 2020 | 3.192 % of GDP | -1.18% |
| 2019 | 3.23 % of GDP | -2.21% |
| 2018 | 3.303 % of GDP | -2.19% |
| 2017 | 3.377 % of GDP | -7.71% |
| 2016 | 3.659 % of GDP | +0.97% |
| 2015 | 3.624 % of GDP | -23.48% |
| 2014 | 4.736 % of GDP | -9.48% |
| 2013 | 5.232 % of GDP | -8.34% |
| 2012 | 5.708 % of GDP | -1.11% |
| 2011 | 5.772 % of GDP | -4.56% |
| 2010 | 6.048 % of GDP | -1.75% |
| 2009 | 6.156 % of GDP | +12.79% |
| 2008 | 5.458 % of GDP | +15.76% |
| 2007 | 4.715 % of GDP | +3.69% |
| 2006 | 4.547 % of GDP | +0.62% |
| 2005 | 4.519 % of GDP | +0.80% |
| 2004 | 4.483 % of GDP | +6.61% |
| 2003 | 4.205 % of GDP | +2.44% |
| 2002 | 4.105 % of GDP | +0.42% |
Show all 49 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 4.088 % of GDP | -1.06% |
| 2000 | 4.132 % of GDP | -0.05% |
| 1999 | 4.134 % of GDP | -3.59% |
| 1998 | 4.288 % of GDP | -9.80% |
| 1996 | 4.754 % of GDP | -2.42% |
| 1995 | 4.872 % of GDP | -6.11% |
| 1994 | 5.189 % of GDP | +1.43% |
| 1993 | 5.116 % of GDP | +2.20% |
| 1992 | 5.006 % of GDP | +4.66% |
| 1991 | 4.783 % of GDP | +3.96% |
| 1990 | 4.601 % of GDP | -2.38% |
| 1989 | 4.713 % of GDP | -6.04% |
| 1988 | 5.016 % of GDP | -9.28% |
| 1987 | 5.529 % of GDP | +4.30% |
| 1986 | 5.301 % of GDP | +1.01% |
| 1985 | 5.248 % of GDP | -0.64% |
| 1984 | 5.282 % of GDP | -3.03% |
| 1983 | 5.447 % of GDP | +1.06% |
| 1982 | 5.39 % of GDP | -5.97% |
| 1981 | 5.732 % of GDP | +7.70% |
| 1980 | 5.322 % of GDP | +0.64% |
| 1979 | 5.288 % of GDP | +4.34% |
| 1978 | 5.068 % of GDP | -0.33% |
| 1977 | 5.085 % of GDP | +18.37% |
| 1976 | 4.296 % of GDP | -8.32% |
| 1974 | 4.686 % of GDP | +1.67% |
| 1973 | 4.609 % of GDP | -0.17% |
| 1972 | 4.617 % of GDP | +2.92% |
| 1971 | 4.486 % of GDP | — |
Related Data
Other Metrics
For Ireland
Compare Education Spending
Same metric, other countries
Demographics
People & population data