Nation’s Investment in Education
NJ MED’s Global Education Report uses several key factors in assessing how nations are shaping and developing the minds of young people around the world.
The first factor in assessment has to start with the investment a country has in support of education from – early childhood thru college graduation.
Below, we have gathered data to show the World’s Top 20 nations in that commitment. From Educational core services, to Ancillary services (transport, meals, and health), to Research & Development.
Let’s start with cost per student investment, from Primary to tertiary, using US Dollars:
World Top 20 Cost Per Student
1. Luxembourg – $21,320
2. Switzerland – $19,052
3. United States – $15,720
4. Norway – $15,466
5. Austria – $14,361
6. United Kingdom – $13,613
7. Sweden – $13,072
8. Canada – $12,967
9. Belgium – $12,407
10. Denmark – $12,294
11. Netherlands – $12,247
12. Germany – $11,545
13. Japan – $11,309
14. Finland – $11,221
15. Australia – $11,169
16. France – $10,907
17. Iceland – $10,067
18. Ireland – $10,065
19. New Zealand – $10,045
20. Slovenia – $9,597
Source: Education at a Glance 2016
Follow the Money
Next, Where does the money come from to invest in education? Nations Governments use their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to support their Educational System. The remaining funds needed to operate local schools comes from local property taxes (the United States example).
The twenty countries that pay the most from their GDP are:
World Top 20 Most Support For Education
1. Lesotho – 13.0% of GDP
2. Cuba – 12.8% of GDP
3. Denmark – 8.6% of GDP
4. Zimbabwe – 8.4% of GDP
5. Namibia – 8.4% of GDP
6. Djibouti – 8.4% of GDP
7. Malta – 8.3% of GDP
8. Timor-Leste – 7.9% of GDP
9. Iceland – 7.8% of GDP
10. Botswana – 7.8% of GDP
11. Sweden – 7.7% of GDP
12. Costa Rica – 7.6% of GDP
13. Moldova – 7.5% of GDP
14. Norway – 7.4% of GDP
15. Bhutan – 7.4% of GDP
16. Bolivia – 7.3% of GDP
17. Solomon Islands – 7.3% of GDP
18. Finland – 7.2% of GDP
19. Senegal – 7.2% of GDP
20. Swaziland – 7.1% of GDP
Source: World Factbook – Government Education Expenditure
The twenty countries that pay the least from their GDP are:
World Top 20 Least Support For Education
1. South Sudan – 0.8% of GDP
2. Monaco – 1% of GDP
3. Central African Republic – 1.2% of GDP
4. West Bank – 1.3% of GDP note:includes Gaza Strip
5. Zambia -1.3% of GDP
6. Uganda – 1.7% of GDP
7. Bermuda – 1.7% of GDP
8. Cambodia – 1.9% of GDP
9. Macau – 2% of GDP
10. Georgia – 2% of GDP
11. Madagascar -2.1% of GDP
12. Liechtenstein – 2.1% of GDP
13. Sri Lanka – 2.2% of GDP
14. Bangladesh – 2.2% of GDP
15. Congo, Democratic Republic of the – 2.2% of GDP
16. Guinea-Bissau – 2.2% of GDP
17. Dominican Republic – 2.2% of GDP
18. Sudan – 2.2% of GDP
19. San Marino – 2.4% of GDP
20. Lebanon – 2.6% of GDP
Source: World Factbook – Government Education Expenditure
Unsustainable Education Systems
Twenty-nine nations are struggling to provide free education for their children. Most of these nations can only provide free education until a child is 12 years old (Haiti, Pakistan, and Somalia)
Here is a list of the countries and the cut-off age, for free education:
Honduras – Until 13 years old
Burkina Faso – Until 16 years old
Burundi – Until 13 years old
Cameroon – Until 13 years old
Cape Verde – Until 16 years old
Comoros – Until 13 years old
Côte d’Ivoire – Until 13 years old
Eritrea – Until 16 years old
Ethiopia – Until 16 years old
Guinea – Until 13 years old
Liberia – Until 16 years old
Malawi – Until 13 years old
Mozambique – Until 16 years old
Sierra Leone – Until 13 years old
Uganda – Until 16 years old
United Republic of Tanzania -Until 16 years old
Zambia -Until 13 years old
Zimbabwe Until 16 years old
Haiti – No
Pakistan – No
Somalia – No
Even though, the children have, access to free education, most of the children parents in these countries, still are required to pay school fees to attend. For example, all the children are required to pay for their school uniforms, shoes, and books; some children also have to pay for an enrollment exam.
For families living in these countries the average worker makes less than $2 a day. Since most families average between four and eight children, even with a father working odd jobs, there is usually only enough money to send two or three children to school at the most.
In rural areas of these country’s children have to walk miles to attend school. Often in unsafe environments, which increase the chances they can be attacked or kidnapped for child labor.
Daily Global Education Report
NJ MED will daily monitor the list of 29 countries with the greatest obstacles to educate every child in their country, along with 180 other nations.
NJ MED will follow these countries economic progress, as well as, the political activities has it shapes and develops the social climate and values of their nation’s education system.
By visiting our Voices Around the World section, you can see everyday what is really happening, and what nations’ governments are doing or not doing to improve the lives of children and their families.