Education spending in Ireland
Government spending on education in Ireland was equal to 2.9% of GDP in 2021. The value for 2021 is the lowest in the series, which starts in 1971.
Ireland, 2021
2.9%
Change from 2020
−0.3percentage points
European Union, 2021
4.8%
Median of European Union (27 countries), 2021
4.8%
Education spending in Ireland over time
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Ireland
European Union
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The chart loads when you scroll to it. The table below shows the same data.
The chart shows a calculation from the published values. The table below keeps the published values.
% of GDP. Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Gaps mean no published value; points are not joined across missing years.
| Period | Ireland | European Union |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | – | 4.7% |
| 2021 | 2.9% | 4.8% |
| 2020 | 3.2% | 4.9% |
| 2019 | 3.2% | 4.6% |
| 2018 | 3.3% | 4.6% |
| 2017 | 3.4% | 4.6% |
| 2016 | 3.7% | 4.8% |
| 2015 | 3.6% | 4.8% |
| 2014 | 4.7% | 4.9% |
| 2013 | 5.2% | 5.0% |
| 2012 | 5.7% | 4.8% |
| 2011 | 5.8% | 5.1% |
| 2010 | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| 2009 | 6.2% | 5.6% |
| 2008 | 5.5% | 5.0% |
| 2007 | 4.7% | 4.9% |
| 2006 | 4.5% | 4.9% |
| 2005 | 4.5% | 5.1% |
| 2004 | 4.5% | 5.0% |
| 2003 | 4.2% | 5.1% |
| 2002 | 4.1% | 5.2% |
| 2001 | 4.1% | 5.1% |
A dash means no value was published for that period.
In short
- That is a change of −0.3 percentage points from 3.2% in 2020.
- Since 2011, when it was 5.8%, the figure has changed by −2.9 percentage points.
- The figure for the European Union in 2021 was 4.8%.
More for Ireland
All statistics for Ireland
Tertiary education enrolment (gross)
77.6%
2022 · World Bank
Primary school enrolment (gross)
96.5%
2022 · World Bank
NEET rate, ages 15 to 29
8.1%
2025 · Eurostat
Tertiary education attainment, ages 25 to 34
66.8%
2025 · Eurostat
Early leavers from education and training
3.6%
2025 · Eurostat
Adult participation in learning
14.6%
2025 · Eurostat