Education Spending: Uruguay
Uruguay's education spending is currently 4.765 % of GDP as of 2023. # Uruguay Education Spending Uruguay allocated 4.
Current (2023)
4.765 % of GDP
+6.4% y/y
Peak (2023)
4.765 % of GDP
Low (1979)
1.987 % of GDP
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1979–2023 · 31 pts
Education Spending — Uruguay
1979 — 2023
Education Spending — Uruguay
Analysis# Uruguay Education Spending
Uruguay allocated 4.765% of its GDP to education in 2023, reaching its all-time peak and reflecting a dramatic commitment to public schooling. This represents a 139.8% increase since 1979, when spending stood at just 1.987% of GDP. The country has maintained education expenditures above 4.2% consistently since 2014, positioning it among Latin America's highest spenders relative to economic output.
The recent upward trajectory accelerated sharply after 2017. Between 2018 and 2023, spending rose from 4.604% to 4.765%, with only minor fluctuations during the pandemic years. The 2023 figure marks the strongest investment level in the 45-year dataset, suggesting Uruguay's sustained policy priority toward education infrastructure and accessibility amid regional economic pressures.
Historical Data
31 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 4.765 % of GDP | +6.36% |
| 2022 | 4.48 % of GDP | +0.40% |
| 2021 | 4.462 % of GDP | -1.98% |
| 2020 | 4.552 % of GDP | -1.64% |
| 2019 | 4.628 % of GDP | +0.52% |
| 2018 | 4.604 % of GDP | +4.21% |
| 2017 | 4.418 % of GDP | +1.24% |
| 2016 | 4.364 % of GDP | +3.76% |
| 2015 | 4.206 % of GDP | -1.43% |
| 2014 | 4.267 % of GDP | +0.66% |
| 2013 | 4.239 % of GDP | +3.54% |
| 2012 | 4.094 % of GDP | -1.33% |
| 2011 | 4.149 % of GDP | +45.22% |
| 2006 | 2.857 % of GDP | +5.23% |
| 2005 | 2.715 % of GDP | +8.60% |
| 2004 | 2.5 % of GDP | +20.89% |
| 2003 | 2.068 % of GDP | -10.94% |
| 2002 | 2.322 % of GDP | -17.10% |
| 2001 | 2.801 % of GDP | +15.60% |
| 2000 | 2.423 % of GDP | +8.02% |
Show all 31 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 2.243 % of GDP | -21.85% |
| 1996 | 2.87 % of GDP | +13.84% |
| 1995 | 2.521 % of GDP | +10.96% |
| 1994 | 2.272 % of GDP | -5.80% |
| 1992 | 2.412 % of GDP | -2.70% |
| 1991 | 2.479 % of GDP | -20.11% |
| 1986 | 3.103 % of GDP | +20.88% |
| 1985 | 2.567 % of GDP | +8.18% |
| 1984 | 2.373 % of GDP | +9.86% |
| 1980 | 2.16 % of GDP | +8.71% |
| 1979 | 1.987 % of GDP | — |
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