Japan vs South Korea: Government Education Expenditure Comparison

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

⚡ Quick Comparison Summary

In 2022, South Korea recorded Government Education Expenditure (% of GDP) of 5.4% vs 3.3% for Japan (South Korea's Government Education Expenditure is 2.1% higher than Japan's.).

🇯🇵 Japan
3.3%
-6.8% since 1971
🇰🇷 South Korea
5.4%
+46.1% since 1971
⚖️ Difference / Gap
2.1%
Latest Year: 2022
Government Education Expenditure (% of GDP)
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2000 2025
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Japan vs South Korea All Annual Observations (1970 – 2022)

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

Year 🇯🇵 Japan Government Education Expenditure 🇰🇷 South Korea Government Education Expenditure Difference / Gap
2022 No data 5.4%
2021 3.3% 4.6% 1.2%
2020 3.3% 4.5% 1.2%
2019 3.2% 4.4% 1.3%
2018 3.1% 4.2% 1.1%
2017 3.1% 4.1% 1.0%
2016 3.1% 4.1% 1.0%
2015 3.3% 4.2% 0.9%
2014 3.4% No data
2013 3.4% No data
2012 3.4% No data
2011 3.6% No data
2010 3.6% No data
2008 3.3% No data
2007 3.3% No data
2006 3.3% No data
2005 3.3% No data
2004 3.4% No data
2003 3.5% No data
2002 3.4% No data
2001 3.4% No data
2000 3.5% No data
1999 3.4% 3.3% 0.1%
1998 3.3% 3.2% 0.0%
1995 3.4% 2.8% 0.6%
1994 3.6% 2.9% 0.6%
1993 3.4% 3.6% 0.2%
1992 No data 3.5%
1991 No data 3.4%
1990 No data 2.9%
1989 5.3% 3.0% 2.3%
1988 5.5% 2.7% 2.8%
1987 5.5% 3.3% 2.2%
1986 No data 3.5%
1985 No data 3.9%
1984 No data 3.9%
1983 4.7% 4.2% 0.5%
1982 4.9% 6.2% 1.3%
1981 5.0% 2.8% 2.1%
1980 5.0% 3.4% 1.6%
1979 5.0% 3.0% 2.0%
1978 4.8% No data
1977 4.7% 2.4% 2.3%
1976 4.7% 2.7% 2.0%
1975 4.6% 2.1% 2.5%
1974 4.0% No data
1973 4.0% 2.6% 1.3%
1972 3.9% 3.2% 0.7%
1971 3.6% 3.7% 0.1%
1970 No data 3.4%

Government Education Expenditure Comparison

Current Leader: In 2022, South Korea recorded Government Education Expenditure of 5.4%, while Japan recorded 3.3%, a difference of 2.1%.
1971 Baseline: Japan stood at 3.6% and South Korea stood at 3.7%.
1971–2022 Trajectory: Japan moved to 3.3% (-6.8% since 1971), while South Korea moved to 5.4% (+46.1% since 1971).

Historical Trends

Over the available reporting period from 1971 to 2022, Japan and South Korea followed distinct developmental paths. In 1971, Japan recorded 3.6% compared to 3.7% for South Korea. By 2022, the values evolved to 3.3% and 5.4% respectively.

Key Differences

Absolute Gap: Difference in 2022 is 2.1%.
Highest Observed Year: Peak observed was 5.4% (South Korea in 2022).
Growth Trajectory: Since 1971, Japan achieved -6.8% 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 Japan and South Korea.

Frequently Asked Questions — Government Education Expenditure

What is the Government Education Expenditure of Japan?

In 2021, Japan's Government Education Expenditure was 3.3% 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 2022, South Korea recorded a higher Government Education Expenditure of 5.4% compared to Japan's 3.3% (a difference of 2.1%).

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

From 1971 to 2022, Japan's Government Education Expenditure changed by -6.8% since 1971, while South Korea's changed by +46.1% since 1971.

Explore Japan vs South Korea Interactively

Use TradeSeekho Growth Explorer to customize time ranges, play animated timeline visualizations, and compare Japan 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 Japan and South Korea from 1971 through 2022. Missing reporting years are omitted without converting missing values to zero.