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

Malaysia
3,452 millions
in 2019
South Africa
4,176 millions
in 2019
Malaysia rank
35th
South Africa rank
32nd

Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$ over time

  • Malaysia
  • South Africa
02.0k4.0k6.0k197119952019

How they compare

South Africa currently reports 4,176 millions against 3,452 millions in Malaysia, a difference of 724 millions.

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

The two have swapped places 2 times across 19 shared years of data; in 1987 it was South Africa ahead.

Malaysia ranks 35th and South Africa ranks 32nd of 158 countries.

Across the 4 decades both report, Malaysia averaged higher in 2 and South Africa in 2.

Head to head by decade

Decade Malaysia South Africa Difference Ahead
1980s 353.57 millions 921.21 millions 567.65 millions South Africa
1990s 791.71 millions 1,337 millions 544.95 millions South Africa
2000s 2,736 millions 1,290 millions 1,446 millions Malaysia
2010s 4,467 millions 2,973 millions 1,494 millions Malaysia

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher government expenditure on tertiary education, us$, Malaysia or South Africa?
South Africa, at 4,176 millions against 3,452 millions in Malaysia as of 2019.
What is the difference in government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ between Malaysia and South Africa?
724 millions, with South Africa ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Malaysia and South Africa?
19 years are reported by both, from 1987 to 2019.
How do Malaysia and South Africa rank globally for government expenditure on tertiary education, us$?
Malaysia ranks 35th and South Africa ranks 32nd of 158 countries.
Where does this data come from?
UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$ (millions). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Malaysia vs South Africa: Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 31 August 2026, from https://reference.statizoid.com/compare/government-expenditure-on-tertiary-education-us-millions/malaysia/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/