Education Spending: Sierra Leone

Analysis# Sierra Leone Education Spending Sierra Leone allocated 2.625% of GDP to education in 2023, representing a significant decline from its all-time peak of 5.593% in 2021. The country's education spending has contracted 47% since 2000, when it stood at roughly 4.95% of GDP. While 2023's figure remains above the historical low of 1.454% recorded in 2008, the recent downward trajectory raises concerns about commitment to the sector. A dramatic expansion occurred between 2014 and 2021, with spending nearly tripling from 1.738% to 5.593%. This surge reflected increased investment priorities during that period. However, the sharp 53% drop from 2021 to 2023 reverses those gains and suggests a return to constrained education financing. The volatility in Sierra Leone's education budget—swinging between 1.454% and 5.593% over two decades—reflects broader budgetary pressures and shifting policy priorities.