Education Spending: Lao P.D.R.

Lao P.D.R.'s education spending is currently 1.234 % of GDP as of 2023. # Lao P.

Current (2023)

1.234 % of GDP

-15.5% y/y

Peak (2013)

3.234 % of GDP

Low (2023)

1.234 % of GDP

Source

World Bank World Development Indicators

1992–2023 · 26 pts

Education Spending — Lao P.D.R.

1992 — 2023

Education Spending — Lao P.D.R.

Analysis# Lao P.D.R. Education Spending Lao P.D.R. allocated 1.234% of GDP to education in 2023, matching its all-time low over the 1992–2023 period. The country peaked at 3.234% in 2013, meaning current spending represents a 47.2% decline from 1992 levels. This places the nation among the world's lowest education investors relative to economic output. The sharpest contraction occurred after 2013. Annual spending fell steadily from 2.938% in 2014 to 1.234% by 2023—a decade-long decline with no recovery visible. The downward pressure accelerated post-2019, dropping from 2.122% to below 1.5% within three years. Without policy intervention, the data trajectory suggests education funding will remain depressed, potentially constraining human capital development across the country.

Historical Data

26 Rows

Year	Value	Change %
2023	1.234 % of GDP	-15.54%
2022	1.461 % of GDP	-21.41%
2021	1.859 % of GDP	-2.97%
2020	1.916 % of GDP	-9.71%
2019	2.122 % of GDP	-9.12%
2018	2.335 % of GDP	-6.53%
2017	2.498 % of GDP	-9.95%
2016	2.774 % of GDP	+1.35%
2015	2.737 % of GDP	-6.84%
2014	2.938 % of GDP	-9.15%
2013	3.234 % of GDP	+77.59%
2012	1.821 % of GDP	+6.62%
2011	1.708 % of GDP	-0.12%
2010	1.71 % of GDP	+3.32%
2009	1.655 % of GDP	-27.38%
2008	2.279 % of GDP	-25.96%
2007	3.078 % of GDP	+4.02%
2006	2.959 % of GDP	+22.58%
2005	2.414 % of GDP	+0.04%
2004	2.413 % of GDP	-14.58%