Colombia vs South Africa: Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$

Colombia
3,467 millions
in 2018
South Africa
4,176 millions
in 2019
Colombia rank
34th
South Africa rank
32nd

Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$ over time

  • Colombia
  • South Africa
01.0k2.0k3.0k4.0k197919992019

How they compare

South Africa currently reports 4,176 millions against 3,467 millions in Colombia, a difference of 709 millions.

That makes South Africa's figure about 1.2 times Colombia's.

The two have swapped places 1 time across 16 shared years of data; in 1989 it was South Africa ahead.

Colombia ranks 34th and South Africa ranks 32nd of 158 countries.

Across the 4 decades both report, Colombia averaged higher in 1 and South Africa in 3.

Head to head by decade

Decade Colombia South Africa Difference Ahead
1980s 201 millions 1,216 millions 1,015 millions South Africa
1990s 729.89 millions 1,234 millions 503.88 millions South Africa
2000s 1,191 millions 1,468 millions 277.89 millions South Africa
2010s 3,266 millions 2,745 millions 520.72 millions Colombia

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher government expenditure on tertiary education, us$, Colombia or South Africa?
South Africa, at 4,176 millions against 3,467 millions in Colombia as of 2019.
What is the difference in government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ between Colombia and South Africa?
709 millions, with South Africa ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Colombia and South Africa?
16 years are reported by both, from 1989 to 2018.
How do Colombia and South Africa rank globally for government expenditure on tertiary education, us$?
Colombia ranks 34th and South Africa ranks 32nd of 158 countries.
Where does this data come from?
UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$ (millions). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Colombia vs South Africa: Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 01 September 2026, from https://reference.statizoid.com/compare/government-expenditure-on-tertiary-education-us-millions/colombia/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$ (millions)
Unit
millions
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
158 places, 3,257 data points, 1970–2019
Last refreshed

Total general (local, regional and central) government expenditure on tertiary education (current, capital, and transfers) in millions US$ (nominal value). It includes expenditure funded by transfers from international sources to government. Total government expenditure for a given level of education (e.g. primary, secondary, or all levels combined) in national currency is converted to US$. Limitations: In some instances data on total government expenditure on education refers only to the Ministry of Education, excluding other ministries which may also spend a part of their budget on educational activities. For more information, consult the UNESCO Institute of Statistics website: http://www.uis.unesco.org/Education/