Education Spending: Japan
Japan's education spending is currently 3.337 % of GDP as of 2021. # Japan Education Spending Japan allocated 3.
Current (2021)
3.337 % of GDP
+0.9% y/y
Peak (1987)
5.488 % of GDP
Low (2018)
3.078 % of GDP
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1971–2021 · 42 pts
Education Spending — Japan
1971 — 2021
Education Spending — Japan
Analysis# Japan Education Spending
Japan allocated 3.337% of its GDP to education in 2021, down significantly from its peak of 5.488% in 1987. The country's education spending has declined 6.8% since 1971, reflecting a long-term contraction in public investment relative to economic output. Current spending levels remain above the all-time low of 3.078% recorded in 2018, but well below historical highs achieved during the 1980s and early 1990s.
A sharp downward trend from 2012 to 2018 marked the most dramatic recent decline, with spending falling from 3.419% to 3.078%. Since 2018, spending has stabilized and begun a modest recovery, rising to 3.337% by 2021. The recent uptick suggests Japan may be reversing its contraction, though education spending remains far below peak levels and continues to lag many developed economies in comparative investment.
Historical Data
42 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3.337 % of GDP | +0.94% |
| 2020 | 3.306 % of GDP | +4.79% |
| 2019 | 3.155 % of GDP | +2.50% |
| 2018 | 3.078 % of GDP | -1.69% |
| 2017 | 3.131 % of GDP | -0.48% |
| 2016 | 3.146 % of GDP | -5.01% |
| 2015 | 3.312 % of GDP | -3.02% |
| 2014 | 3.415 % of GDP | +0.18% |
| 2013 | 3.409 % of GDP | -0.29% |
| 2012 | 3.419 % of GDP | -5.16% |
| 2011 | 3.605 % of GDP | +0.14% |
| 2010 | 3.6 % of GDP | +10.02% |
| 2008 | 3.272 % of GDP | -0.21% |
| 2007 | 3.279 % of GDP | +0.06% |
| 2006 | 3.277 % of GDP | -1.15% |
| 2005 | 3.315 % of GDP | -3.24% |
| 2004 | 3.426 % of GDP | -1.18% |
| 2003 | 3.467 % of GDP | +1.70% |
| 2002 | 3.409 % of GDP | +0.24% |
| 2001 | 3.401 % of GDP | -1.71% |
Show all 42 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 3.46 % of GDP | +2.43% |
| 1999 | 3.378 % of GDP | +2.43% |
| 1998 | 3.298 % of GDP | -3.06% |
| 1995 | 3.402 % of GDP | -4.68% |
| 1994 | 3.569 % of GDP | +6.00% |
| 1993 | 3.367 % of GDP | -36.16% |
| 1989 | 5.274 % of GDP | -3.28% |
| 1988 | 5.453 % of GDP | -0.64% |
| 1987 | 5.488 % of GDP | +16.20% |
| 1983 | 4.723 % of GDP | -4.39% |
| 1982 | 4.94 % of GDP | -0.34% |
| 1981 | 4.957 % of GDP | -0.08% |
| 1980 | 4.961 % of GDP | +0.22% |
| 1979 | 4.95 % of GDP | +3.34% |
| 1978 | 4.79 % of GDP | +1.12% |
| 1977 | 4.737 % of GDP | -0.23% |
| 1976 | 4.748 % of GDP | +3.89% |
| 1975 | 4.57 % of GDP | +15.58% |
| 1974 | 3.954 % of GDP | -0.08% |
| 1973 | 3.957 % of GDP | +0.79% |
| 1972 | 3.926 % of GDP | +9.70% |
| 1971 | 3.579 % of GDP | — |
Related Data
Other Metrics
For Japan
Compare Education Spending
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Demographics
People & population data