China vs South Korea: Government Education Expenditure Comparison

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

⚡ Quick Comparison Summary

In 2023, South Korea recorded Government Education Expenditure (% of GDP) of 5.4% vs 3.9% for China (South Korea's Government Education Expenditure is 1.5% higher than China's.).

🇨🇳 China
3.9%
+181.1% since 1971
🇰🇷 South Korea
5.4%
+46.1% since 1971
⚖️ Difference / Gap
1.5%
Latest Year: 2023
Government Education Expenditure (% of GDP)
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2000 2025
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China vs South Korea All Annual Observations (1970 – 2023)

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

Year 🇨🇳 China Government Education Expenditure 🇰🇷 South Korea Government Education Expenditure Difference / Gap
2023 3.9% No data
2022 No data 5.4%
2021 No data 4.6%
2020 No data 4.5%
2019 No data 4.4%
2018 No data 4.2%
2017 No data 4.1%
2016 No data 4.1%
2015 No data 4.2%
1999 1.9% 3.3% 1.4%
1998 1.8% 3.2% 1.4%
1996 1.8% No data
1995 1.8% 2.8% 1.0%
1994 2.0% 2.9% 0.9%
1993 1.7% 3.6% 1.9%
1992 1.6% 3.5% 1.8%
1991 No data 3.4%
1990 No data 2.9%
1989 No data 3.0%
1988 1.8% 2.7% 0.9%
1987 1.8% 3.3% 1.5%
1986 2.1% 3.5% 1.5%
1985 2.0% 3.9% 1.9%
1984 2.0% 3.9% 1.9%
1983 2.1% 4.2% 2.2%
1982 2.0% 6.2% 4.2%
1981 1.9% 2.8% 0.9%
1980 1.9% 3.4% 1.5%
1979 2.1% 3.0% 0.8%
1978 2.0% No data
1977 1.7% 2.4% 0.6%
1976 1.8% 2.7% 0.9%
1975 1.7% 2.1% 0.4%
1974 1.8% No data
1973 1.6% 2.6% 1.0%
1972 1.6% 3.2% 1.6%
1971 1.4% 3.7% 2.3%
1970 No data 3.4%

Government Education Expenditure Comparison

Current Leader: In 2023, South Korea recorded Government Education Expenditure of 5.4%, while China recorded 3.9%, a difference of 1.5%.
1971 Baseline: China stood at 1.4% and South Korea stood at 3.7%.
1971–2023 Trajectory: China moved to 3.9% (+181.1% since 1971), while South Korea moved to 5.4% (+46.1% since 1971).

Historical Trends

Over the available reporting period from 1971 to 2023, China and South Korea followed distinct developmental paths. In 1971, China recorded 1.4% compared to 3.7% for South Korea. By 2023, the values evolved to 3.9% and 5.4% respectively.

Key Differences

Absolute Gap: Difference in 2023 is 1.5%.
Highest Observed Year: Peak observed was 5.4% (South Korea in 2023).
Growth Trajectory: Since 1971, China achieved +181.1% since 1971, while South Korea achieved +46.1% 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 South Korea.

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 South Korea?

In 2022, South Korea's Government Education Expenditure was 5.4% according to official World Bank data.

Which country has a higher Government Education Expenditure?

In 2023, South Korea recorded a higher Government Education Expenditure of 5.4% compared to China's 3.9% (a difference of 1.5%).

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

From 1971 to 2023, China's Government Education Expenditure changed by +181.1% since 1971, while South Korea's changed by +46.1% since 1971.

Explore China vs South Korea Interactively

Use TradeSeekho Growth Explorer to customize time ranges, play animated timeline visualizations, and compare China and South Korea 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 South Korea from 1971 through 2023. Missing reporting years are omitted without converting missing values to zero.