How does UK education compare with other countries?
The UK spent 5.9% of GDP on education in 2021, 2nd highest of the 15 economies we compare (the middle of the others: 4.8%). 80% of the age group was in higher education (2023).
Of GDP, 2021. 2nd highest of the 15 economies we compare.
Of the age group, 2023. 6th highest of the 14 economies we compare.
UK over time
What’s this?
What the government spends on education, as a share of everything the economy produces.
What it cannot tell you: It says nothing about how well the money is spent, and countries with young populations need to spend more.
What’s this?
Students in higher education, as a share of the population in the five years after leaving secondary school. It can pass 100% because students are of different ages.
What it cannot tell you: Courses differ a great deal between countries, so higher education is not the same thing everywhere.
Against other countries
Ranked, using the latest year the World Bank has for most of the 16 economies. The United Kingdom is picked out in the bar colour. Countries differ in size, climate and how they collect the figures, so a rank is a starting point, not a verdict.
Public spending on education, 2021: UK 2nd of 15
What the government spends on education, as a share of everything the economy produces. % of GDP.
What it cannot tell you: It says nothing about how well the money is spent, and countries with young populations need to spend more.
People in higher education, 2023: UK 6th of 14
Students in higher education, as a share of the population in the five years after leaving secondary school. It can pass 100% because students are of different ages. % of the age group.
What it cannot tell you: Courses differ a great deal between countries, so higher education is not the same thing everywhere.
Secondary school enrolment, 2023: UK 5th of 13
Pupils in secondary school, as a share of the population of secondary school age. It can pass 100% because pupils are of different ages. % of the age group.
What it cannot tell you: It shows who is in school, not what they learn or whether they finish.
Questions people ask
How much does the UK spend on education?
5.9% of GDP in 2021 (World Bank). For the government's own figure in pounds see spending on education.
Which country spends the most on education?
Of the 16 economies we compare, Sweden at 7.6.
What does “uk: public spending on education” measure?
What the government spends on education, as a share of everything the economy produces. It was 5.9% (% of GDP) in 2021, up 0.5 points on 2016. The highest we have is 5.9% (2021) and the lowest 4.0% (1999).
What does “uk: people in higher education” measure?
Students in higher education, as a share of the population in the five years after leaving secondary school. It can pass 100% because students are of different ages. It was 80% (% of the age group) in 2023, up 19.3 points on 2018. The highest we have is 80% (2023) and the lowest 56% (2015).
Sources: World Bank, World Development Indicators and the World Bank. Updated every night. Each chart has a CSV and a Share button.
See also: Spending on education · The UK against other countries