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Education Investment vs Outcomes

Compare government education spending with enrollment and literacy outcomes across countries.

Education spending as a share of GDP varies enormously — from under 2% in some developing countries to over 6% in Scandinavian countries. But spending alone does not determine outcomes. This comparison tracks how education investment translates (or fails to translate) into enrollment and literacy gains.

Key Data Points

Brazil, United States, Finland, India, Germany, Japan, Nigeria -- Education spending (% GDP), Adult literacy (%), Tertiary enrollment (%)

Education spending (% GDP)

Brazil

5.6%

2022-01-01World Bank
Education spending (% GDP)

United States

5.4%

2021-01-01World Bank
Education spending (% GDP)

Finland

6.4%

2022-01-01World Bank
Education spending (% GDP)

India

4.1%

2022-01-01World Bank
Education spending (% GDP)

Germany

5.2%

2022-01-01World Bank
Education spending (% GDP)

Japan

3.3%

2021-01-01World Bank
Education spending (% GDP)

Nigeria

0.3%

2023-01-01World Bank
Adult literacy (%)

Brazil

94.7%

2024-01-01World Bank
Adult literacy (%)

United States

Data not yet loaded

Adult literacy (%)

Finland

Data not yet loaded

Adult literacy (%)

India

78.2%

2024-01-01World Bank
Adult literacy (%)

Germany

Data not yet loaded

Adult literacy (%)

Japan

Data not yet loaded

Adult literacy (%)

Nigeria

70.4%

2024-01-01World Bank
Tertiary enrollment (%)

Brazil

69.73 % gross

2024-01-01World Bank
Tertiary enrollment (%)

United States

79.36 % gross

2022-01-01World Bank
Tertiary enrollment (%)

Finland

110.3 % gross

2024-01-01World Bank
Tertiary enrollment (%)

India

34.45 % gross

2025-01-01World Bank
Tertiary enrollment (%)

Germany

76.71 % gross

2024-01-01World Bank
Tertiary enrollment (%)

Japan

64.49 % gross

2023-01-01World Bank
Tertiary enrollment (%)

Nigeria

9.74 % gross

2011-01-01World Bank

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Related Topics

Education