Education Spending: United Kingdom
United Kingdom's education spending is currently 5.907 % of GDP as of 2021. # United Kingdom Education Spending The United Kingdom allocated 5.
Current (2021)
5.907 % of GDP
+8.6% y/y
Peak (1976)
6.424 % of GDP
Low (1999)
3.988 % of GDP
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1971–2021 · 46 pts
Education Spending — United Kingdom
1971 — 2021
Education Spending — United Kingdom
Analysis# United Kingdom Education Spending
The United Kingdom allocated 5.907% of GDP to education in 2021, representing a substantial 17.4% increase from 1971 levels. This figure falls notably short of the country's peak investment of 6.424% in 1976, yet remains well above the historical low of 3.988% recorded in 1999. Over five decades, education spending has remained relatively stable within a narrow band, fluctuating between roughly 5–6% of GDP for most years.
A significant contraction occurred between 2016 and 2018, when spending dipped to 5.204%—the lowest point in the 2010s. Recovery began in 2019 and accelerated sharply in 2021, climbing to near 5.9%. This recent upward momentum suggests renewed investment priorities, though current levels still trail the 1970s peak by over half a percentage point.
Historical Data
46 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5.907 % of GDP | +8.60% |
| 2020 | 5.439 % of GDP | +3.38% |
| 2019 | 5.261 % of GDP | +1.10% |
| 2018 | 5.204 % of GDP | -4.57% |
| 2017 | 5.453 % of GDP | +0.46% |
| 2016 | 5.428 % of GDP | -2.29% |
| 2015 | 5.555 % of GDP | -0.82% |
| 2014 | 5.601 % of GDP | +1.38% |
| 2013 | 5.525 % of GDP | -0.84% |
| 2011 | 5.572 % of GDP | -2.23% |
| 2010 | 5.699 % of GDP | +12.56% |
| 2009 | 5.063 % of GDP | +3.12% |
| 2008 | 4.91 % of GDP | -0.28% |
| 2007 | 4.924 % of GDP | -1.05% |
| 2006 | 4.976 % of GDP | +0.93% |
| 2005 | 4.93 % of GDP | +4.10% |
| 2004 | 4.736 % of GDP | -1.35% |
| 2003 | 4.801 % of GDP | +4.10% |
| 2002 | 4.612 % of GDP | +12.49% |
| 2001 | 4.1 % of GDP | +2.04% |
Show all 46 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 4.018 % of GDP | +0.75% |
| 1999 | 3.988 % of GDP | -5.21% |
| 1998 | 4.207 % of GDP | -3.91% |
| 1996 | 4.378 % of GDP | -9.53% |
| 1995 | 4.839 % of GDP | -0.25% |
| 1994 | 4.851 % of GDP | +11.93% |
| 1992 | 4.334 % of GDP | +5.14% |
| 1991 | 4.122 % of GDP | +1.63% |
| 1990 | 4.056 % of GDP | -1.67% |
| 1989 | 4.125 % of GDP | -3.35% |
| 1988 | 4.268 % of GDP | -2.38% |
| 1987 | 4.372 % of GDP | -0.21% |
| 1986 | 4.381 % of GDP | -4.64% |
| 1985 | 4.594 % of GDP | -6.23% |
| 1984 | 4.899 % of GDP | -3.22% |
| 1983 | 5.062 % of GDP | -2.45% |
| 1982 | 5.189 % of GDP | -1.87% |
| 1981 | 5.288 % of GDP | +4.30% |
| 1980 | 5.07 % of GDP | -16.38% |
| 1977 | 6.063 % of GDP | -5.62% |
| 1976 | 6.424 % of GDP | +2.47% |
| 1975 | 6.269 % of GDP | +16.29% |
| 1974 | 5.391 % of GDP | -1.06% |
| 1973 | 5.449 % of GDP | +5.62% |
| 1972 | 5.159 % of GDP | +2.52% |
| 1971 | 5.032 % of GDP | — |
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