Education Spending: New Zealand
New Zealand's education spending is currently 5.213 % of GDP as of 2023. # New Zealand Education Spending New Zealand allocated 5.
Current (2023)
5.213 % of GDP
+0.9% y/y
Peak (1999)
6.636 % of GDP
Low (1986)
3.43 % of GDP
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1973–2023 · 33 pts
Education Spending — New Zealand
1973 — 2023
Education Spending — New Zealand
Analysis# New Zealand Education Spending
New Zealand allocated 5.213% of its GDP to education in 2023, marking a modest recovery from the prior year's 5.167%. This figure sits well below the country's all-time peak of 6.636% in 1999, yet substantially above the historic low of 3.43% recorded in 1986. Since 1973, education spending has increased 9.7% overall, reflecting a general commitment to the sector despite considerable fluctuation across five decades.
A significant downward trend characterized the period from 2014 to 2022, during which spending declined from 5.803% to 5.167%—the lowest point in the recent cycle. The spike to 5.643% in 2020 likely reflects pandemic-related education investments. The slight uptick in 2023 suggests potential stabilization, though current spending levels remain 1.4 percentage points below the 1999 peak, indicating room for increased investment if policymakers prioritize education expansion.
Historical Data
33 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5.213 % of GDP | +0.89% |
| 2022 | 5.167 % of GDP | -6.75% |
| 2021 | 5.541 % of GDP | -1.81% |
| 2020 | 5.643 % of GDP | +9.06% |
| 2019 | 5.174 % of GDP | -0.31% |
| 2018 | 5.19 % of GDP | -1.61% |
| 2017 | 5.275 % of GDP | -4.09% |
| 2016 | 5.5 % of GDP | -3.58% |
| 2015 | 5.704 % of GDP | -1.71% |
| 2014 | 5.803 % of GDP | -1.39% |
| 2013 | 5.885 % of GDP | +5.01% |
| 2000 | 5.604 % of GDP | -15.55% |
| 1999 | 6.636 % of GDP | +7.78% |
| 1997 | 6.157 % of GDP | -3.56% |
| 1996 | 6.384 % of GDP | +11.18% |
| 1995 | 5.742 % of GDP | -3.10% |
| 1994 | 5.926 % of GDP | +23.00% |
| 1989 | 4.818 % of GDP | +8.86% |
| 1988 | 4.426 % of GDP | +12.99% |
| 1987 | 3.917 % of GDP | +14.20% |
Show all 33 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 3.43 % of GDP | -3.27% |
| 1985 | 3.546 % of GDP | -12.36% |
| 1984 | 4.046 % of GDP | -10.74% |
| 1982 | 4.533 % of GDP | +2.07% |
| 1981 | 4.441 % of GDP | +4.91% |
| 1980 | 4.233 % of GDP | -5.26% |
| 1979 | 4.468 % of GDP | -1.43% |
| 1978 | 4.533 % of GDP | +1.80% |
| 1977 | 4.453 % of GDP | -18.37% |
| 1976 | 5.455 % of GDP | +5.55% |
| 1975 | 5.168 % of GDP | +8.87% |
| 1974 | 4.747 % of GDP | -0.13% |
| 1973 | 4.753 % of GDP | — |
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