Government expenditure on education, constant US$ in Zambia
Zambia: Government expenditure on education, constant US$ was 1,243 millions in 2018. ◆ Volatile
Government expenditure on education, constant US$ in Zambia, 1970–2018
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in millions.
Analysis
The most recent figure for government expenditure on education, constant us$ in Zambia is 1,243 millions, measured in 2018. That is the highest value across all 34 years on record.
That represents a change of up 28.8% on the previous year and up 626.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on education, constant us$ in Zambia peaked at 1,243 millions in 2018 and was at its lowest, 133.29 millions, in 1994.
That places Zambia 89th out of 167 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Government expenditure on education, constant US$ in Zambia, year by year
| Year | millions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 267.9 millions | — |
| 1971 | 371.84 millions | +38.8% |
| 1972 | 396.11 millions | +6.5% |
| 1973 | 362.1 millions | -8.6% |
| 1974 | 342.54 millions | -5.4% |
| 1975 | 428.14 millions | +25.0% |
| 1976 | 439.35 millions | +2.6% |
| 1977 | 396.03 millions | -9.9% |
| 1978 | 331.64 millions | -16.3% |
| 1979 | 281.87 millions | -15.0% |
| 1980 | 288.45 millions | +2.3% |
| 1981 | 296.89 millions | +2.9% |
| 1982 | 371.79 millions | +25.2% |
| 1983 | 380.96 millions | +2.5% |
| 1984 | 351.53 millions | -7.7% |
| 1985 | 296.86 millions | -15.6% |
| 1986 | 240.82 millions | -18.9% |
| 1987 | 197.15 millions | -18.1% |
| 1991 | 212.38 millions | +7.7% |
| 1992 | 159.28 millions | -25.0% |
| 1993 | 157.95 millions | -0.8% |
| 1994 | 133.29 millions | -15.6% |
| 1995 | 140.59 millions | +5.5% |
| 1998 | 177.93 millions | +26.6% |
| 1999 | 156.02 millions | -12.3% |
| 2000 | 163.31 millions | +4.7% |
| 2004 | 283.44 millions | +73.6% |
| 2005 | 214.14 millions | -24.5% |
| 2007 | 178.99 millions | -16.4% |
| 2008 | 170.97 millions | -4.5% |
| 2015 | 1,114 millions | +551.4% |
| 2016 | 936.69 millions | -15.9% |
| 2017 | 964.79 millions | +3.0% |
| 2018 | 1,243 millions | +28.8% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 1,243 millions is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 653.33 millions, 1.9× the median. (41 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 1,243 millions is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 393.46 millions, 3.2× the median. (44 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Government expenditure on education, constant US$ in Zambia changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | +551.4% | 170.97 millions | 1,114 millions |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 361.75 millions | 267.9 millions | 439.35 millions | 10 |
| 1980s | 303.06 millions | 197.15 millions | 380.96 millions | 8 |
| 1990s | 162.49 millions | 133.29 millions | 212.38 millions | 7 |
| 2000s | 202.17 millions | 163.31 millions | 283.44 millions | 5 |
| 2010s | 1,064 millions | 936.69 millions | 1,243 millions | 4 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More reference data data for Zambia
- Exchange rate, new LCU per USD extended backward, period average 18.94 (2026)
- Exchange rate, old LCU per USD extended forward, period average 18.94 (2026)
- Official exchange rate, LCU per USD, period average 18.94 (2026)
- Political opposition, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Elected parliament and government, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Global number of reported disasters by size, gaps filled 0 events (2025)
- Annual precipitation, annual growth rate 40.84 % change on previous year (2025)
- Free country, gaps filled 1 (2025)
- Civil liberties rating, gaps filled 4 (2025)
- Civil liberties rating, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is government expenditure on education, constant us$ in Zambia?
- Government expenditure on education, constant us$ in Zambia was 1,243 millions in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on education, constant us$ recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 1,243 millions in 2018.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on education, constant us$ recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 133.29 millions in 1994.
- How does Zambia rank for government expenditure on education, constant us$?
- Zambia ranks 89th out of 167 countries with data for 2018.
- Is government expenditure on education, constant us$ rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 626.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Government expenditure on education, constant US$ (millions). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total general (local, regional and central) government expenditure on education (current, capital, and transfers) in millions US$ in constant value (taking into account inflation). 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$, and where it is expressed in constant value, uses a GDP deflator to account for inflation. The constant prices base year is normally three years before the year of the data release. For example, in the July 2017 data release, constant US$ values are expressed in 2014 prices. 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/