Education Spending: Korea, Republic of
Korea, Republic of's education spending is currently 5.409 % of GDP as of 2022. # Korea, Republic of Education Spending Korea, Republic of allocated 5.
Current (2022)
5.409 % of GDP
+18.7% y/y
Peak (1982)
6.206 % of GDP
Low (1975)
2.057 % of GDP
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1970–2022 · 34 pts
Education Spending — Korea, Republic of
1970 — 2022
Education Spending — Korea, Republic of
Analysis# Korea, Republic of Education Spending
Korea, Republic of allocated 5.409% of GDP to education in 2022, representing a significant recovery from recent lows. The country peaked at 6.206% in 1982 but fell to a historical minimum of 2.057% in 1975. Overall spending has grown 59.8% since 1970, reflecting a sustained commitment to educational investment across five decades.
A sharp inflection occurred between 2019 and 2022, when spending jumped from 4.418% to 5.409%—the highest level in four decades. After relatively flat spending through the 2010s (ranging 4.1–4.5%), this recent acceleration signals renewed prioritization of education. The upward trajectory suggests Korea continues strengthening its human capital foundation, a strategic focus for the nation's competitive economy.
Historical Data
34 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 5.409 % of GDP | +18.72% |
| 2021 | 4.556 % of GDP | +0.64% |
| 2020 | 4.527 % of GDP | +2.47% |
| 2019 | 4.418 % of GDP | +4.79% |
| 2018 | 4.216 % of GDP | +2.63% |
| 2017 | 4.108 % of GDP | -0.17% |
| 2016 | 4.115 % of GDP | -2.99% |
| 2015 | 4.242 % of GDP | +30.52% |
| 1999 | 3.25 % of GDP | +0.00% |
| 1998 | 3.25 % of GDP | +14.56% |
| 1995 | 2.837 % of GDP | -2.84% |
| 1994 | 2.92 % of GDP | -18.39% |
| 1993 | 3.578 % of GDP | +3.20% |
| 1992 | 3.467 % of GDP | +2.42% |
| 1991 | 3.385 % of GDP | +14.82% |
| 1990 | 2.948 % of GDP | -0.91% |
| 1989 | 2.975 % of GDP | +11.46% |
| 1988 | 2.669 % of GDP | -18.60% |
| 1987 | 3.279 % of GDP | -7.40% |
| 1986 | 3.541 % of GDP | -9.02% |
Show all 34 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 3.892 % of GDP | -0.59% |
| 1984 | 3.915 % of GDP | -7.36% |
| 1983 | 4.226 % of GDP | -31.90% |
| 1982 | 6.206 % of GDP | +118.06% |
| 1981 | 2.846 % of GDP | -16.27% |
| 1980 | 3.399 % of GDP | +14.52% |
| 1979 | 2.968 % of GDP | +24.29% |
| 1977 | 2.388 % of GDP | -11.95% |
| 1976 | 2.712 % of GDP | +31.84% |
| 1975 | 2.057 % of GDP | -22.20% |
| 1973 | 2.644 % of GDP | -16.93% |
| 1972 | 3.183 % of GDP | -14.00% |
| 1971 | 3.701 % of GDP | +9.37% |
| 1970 | 3.384 % of GDP | — |
Related Data
Other Metrics
For Korea, Republic of
Compare Education Spending
Same metric, other countries
Demographics
People & population data