Education Spending: Zambia
Zambia's education spending is currently 4.074 % of GDP as of 2023. # Zambia Education Spending Zambia allocated 4.
Current (2023)
4.074 % of GDP
+11.3% y/y
Peak (1975)
6.239 % of GDP
Low (2008)
1.1 % of GDP
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1970–2023 · 44 pts
Education Spending — Zambia
1970 — 2023
Education Spending — Zambia
Analysis# Zambia Education Spending
Zambia allocated 4.074% of its GDP to education in 2023, reflecting moderate commitment to the sector but a significant decline from its 1975 peak of 6.239%. The country's education spending has fallen 7.2% since 1970, with a particularly severe contraction occurring between 1975 and 2008, when spending dropped to a low of 1.1% of GDP. Recent years show volatility rather than sustained growth, oscillating between roughly 3.1% and 4.7% annually.
A notable recovery began in 2021 after hitting 3.114%, with spending rising to 4.074% by 2023. However, the recovery remains incomplete relative to historical levels, and the pattern of year-to-year fluctuations suggests budget instability in the education sector. Sustained commitment above 5% would be necessary to approach Zambia's pre-1980s investment levels.
Historical Data
44 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 4.074 % of GDP | +11.34% |
| 2022 | 3.659 % of GDP | +17.50% |
| 2021 | 3.114 % of GDP | -21.04% |
| 2020 | 3.944 % of GDP | -10.73% |
| 2019 | 4.418 % of GDP | -6.79% |
| 2018 | 4.74 % of GDP | +27.08% |
| 2017 | 3.73 % of GDP | -0.48% |
| 2016 | 3.748 % of GDP | -18.94% |
| 2015 | 4.624 % of GDP | -10.25% |
| 2014 | 5.152 % of GDP | +38.57% |
| 2013 | 3.718 % of GDP | +0.62% |
| 2012 | 3.695 % of GDP | +10.04% |
| 2011 | 3.358 % of GDP | -1.70% |
| 2010 | 3.416 % of GDP | +210.55% |
| 2008 | 1.1 % of GDP | -11.36% |
| 2007 | 1.241 % of GDP | -28.51% |
| 2005 | 1.736 % of GDP | -29.52% |
| 2004 | 2.463 % of GDP | +37.75% |
| 2000 | 1.788 % of GDP | +0.73% |
| 1999 | 1.775 % of GDP | -16.19% |
Show all 44 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 2.118 % of GDP | +15.17% |
| 1995 | 1.839 % of GDP | +2.51% |
| 1994 | 1.794 % of GDP | -7.62% |
| 1993 | 1.942 % of GDP | -7.17% |
| 1992 | 2.092 % of GDP | -23.68% |
| 1991 | 2.741 % of GDP | +2.97% |
| 1987 | 2.662 % of GDP | -20.28% |
| 1986 | 3.339 % of GDP | -19.46% |
| 1985 | 4.146 % of GDP | -16.90% |
| 1984 | 4.989 % of GDP | -7.41% |
| 1983 | 5.388 % of GDP | +4.52% |
| 1982 | 5.155 % of GDP | +28.84% |
| 1981 | 4.001 % of GDP | -3.05% |
| 1980 | 4.127 % of GDP | -0.67% |
| 1979 | 4.155 % of GDP | -12.36% |
| 1978 | 4.741 % of GDP | -16.72% |
| 1977 | 5.693 % of GDP | -5.54% |
| 1976 | 6.027 % of GDP | -3.40% |
| 1975 | 6.239 % of GDP | +27.90% |
| 1974 | 4.878 % of GDP | -11.12% |
| 1973 | 5.488 % of GDP | -7.70% |
| 1972 | 5.946 % of GDP | -2.44% |
| 1971 | 6.095 % of GDP | +38.90% |
| 1970 | 4.388 % of GDP | — |
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