China vs Japan: Government Education Expenditure Comparison

Compare Government Education Expenditure (% of GDP) of China and Japan over time using official World Bank Open Data.

⚡ Quick Comparison Summary

In 2023, China recorded Government Education Expenditure (% of GDP) of 3.9% vs 3.3% for Japan (China's Government Education Expenditure is 0.6% higher than Japan's.).

🇨🇳 China
3.9%
+181.1% since 1971
🇯🇵 Japan
3.3%
-6.8% since 1971
⚖️ Difference / Gap
0.6%
Latest Year: 2023
Government Education Expenditure (% of GDP)
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2000 2025
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China vs Japan All Annual Observations (1971 – 2023)

Complete annual observations of Government Education Expenditure (% of GDP) for China and Japan reported by World Bank.

Year 🇨🇳 China Government Education Expenditure 🇯🇵 Japan Government Education Expenditure Difference / Gap
2023 3.9% No data
2021 No data 3.3%
2020 No data 3.3%
2019 No data 3.2%
2018 No data 3.1%
2017 No data 3.1%
2016 No data 3.1%
2015 No data 3.3%
2014 No data 3.4%
2013 No data 3.4%
2012 No data 3.4%
2011 No data 3.6%
2010 No data 3.6%
2008 No data 3.3%
2007 No data 3.3%
2006 No data 3.3%
2005 No data 3.3%
2004 No data 3.4%
2003 No data 3.5%
2002 No data 3.4%
2001 No data 3.4%
2000 No data 3.5%
1999 1.9% 3.4% 1.5%
1998 1.8% 3.3% 1.5%
1996 1.8% No data
1995 1.8% 3.4% 1.6%
1994 2.0% 3.6% 1.6%
1993 1.7% 3.4% 1.7%
1992 1.6% No data
1989 No data 5.3%
1988 1.8% 5.5% 3.7%
1987 1.8% 5.5% 3.7%
1986 2.1% No data
1985 2.0% No data
1984 2.0% No data
1983 2.1% 4.7% 2.7%
1982 2.0% 4.9% 2.9%
1981 1.9% 5.0% 3.0%
1980 1.9% 5.0% 3.1%
1979 2.1% 5.0% 2.8%
1978 2.0% 4.8% 2.8%
1977 1.7% 4.7% 3.0%
1976 1.8% 4.7% 2.9%
1975 1.7% 4.6% 2.9%
1974 1.8% 4.0% 2.2%
1973 1.6% 4.0% 2.3%
1972 1.6% 3.9% 2.3%
1971 1.4% 3.6% 2.2%

Government Education Expenditure Comparison

Current Leader: In 2023, China recorded Government Education Expenditure of 3.9%, while Japan recorded 3.3%, a difference of 0.6%.
1971 Baseline: China stood at 1.4% and Japan stood at 3.6%.
1971–2023 Trajectory: China moved to 3.9% (+181.1% since 1971), while Japan moved to 3.3% (-6.8% since 1971).

Historical Trends

Over the available reporting period from 1971 to 2023, China and Japan followed distinct developmental paths. In 1971, China recorded 1.4% compared to 3.6% for Japan. By 2023, the values evolved to 3.9% and 3.3% respectively.

Key Differences

Absolute Gap: Difference in 2023 is 0.6%.
Highest Observed Year: Peak observed was 3.9% (China in 2023).
Growth Trajectory: Since 1971, China achieved +181.1% since 1971, while Japan achieved -6.8% since 1971.

About Government Education Expenditure (% of GDP)

General government expenditure on education expressed as a percentage of GDP.

This comparison uses standardized data from World Bank Open Data. Historical records allow analysts to trace long-term development trajectories for China and Japan.

Frequently Asked Questions — Government Education Expenditure

What is the Government Education Expenditure of China?

In 2023, China's Government Education Expenditure was 3.9% according to official World Bank data.

What is the Government Education Expenditure of Japan?

In 2021, Japan's Government Education Expenditure was 3.3% according to official World Bank data.

Which country has a higher Government Education Expenditure?

In 2023, China recorded a higher Government Education Expenditure of 3.9% compared to Japan's 3.3% (a difference of 0.6%).

How has Government Education Expenditure changed over time for China and Japan?

From 1971 to 2023, China's Government Education Expenditure changed by +181.1% since 1971, while Japan's changed by -6.8% since 1971.

Explore China vs Japan Interactively

Use TradeSeekho Growth Explorer to customize time ranges, play animated timeline visualizations, and compare China and Japan across Population, Health, Education, and Technology metrics.

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Data Source and Methodology

Source: World Bank Open Data. Indicator Code: SE.XPD.TOTL.GD.ZS (Government Education Expenditure (% of GDP)). Values represent annual government education expenditure (% of gdp) for China and Japan from 1971 through 2023. Missing reporting years are omitted without converting missing values to zero.