This table provides metadata for the actual indicator available from United States statistics closest to the corresponding global SDG indicator. Please note that even when the global SDG indicator is fully available from American statistics, this table should be consulted for information on national methodology and other American-specific metadata information.

Organisation

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Data providers

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This table provides information on metadata for SDG indicators as defined by the UN Statistical Commission. Complete global metadata is provided by the UN Statistics Division.

Indicator

Indicator 1.a.2: Proportion of total government spending on essential services (education, health and social protection)
Target

Target 1.a: Ensure significant mobilization of resources from a variety of sources, including through enhanced development cooperation, in order to provide adequate and predictable means for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, to implement programmes and policies to end poverty in all its dimensions
Organisation

UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UNESCO-UIS)
Definition and concepts

As agreed by the Inter-agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators (IAEG-SDGs), data for the education component only of indicator 1.a.2 are provided by two custodian agencies (co-custodians IMF and UNESCO-UIS) to provide maximum country coverage. Therefore, the Global SDG Indicators Database includes two distinct data series for the education component, supplied by these different data providers (the co-custodians). Each provider employs unique data collection and calculation methods. Consequently, variations may arise when comparing the datasets: SG_XPD_EDUC (provided by IMF as part of a set that contains all components of indicator 1.a.2 and the total) and SD_XPD_ESED (provided by UNESCO-UIS for the education component only). To gain insight into the methodologies used by each provider, please review the additional metadata file associated with indicator 1.a.2.

Definition:

Total general (local, regional and central) government expenditure on education (current, capital, and transfers), expressed as a percentage of total general government expenditure on all sectors (including health, education, social services, etc.). It includes expenditure funded by transfers from international sources to the government.

Concepts:

Government expenditure on education covers educational expenditure by all levels of government (local, regional, central) on the formal education system, from early childhood to tertiary education, in both public and private instructional and non-instructional institutions within the borders of a country.

Expenditure on education includes expenditure on core educational goods and services, such as teaching staff, school buildings, or school books and teaching materials, and peripheral educational goods and services such as ancillary services, general administration and other activities.
Unit of measure

Percentage. This indicator is the total general government expenditure on education, expressed as a percentage of total general government expenditure on all sectors.

Data sources

Data on government spending come from government budgetary documents, financial reports, and official statistics provided by government agencies responsible for finance and budgeting.
Data providers

Ministries of Finance, Ministries of Education, National Statistical Offices.
Comment and limitations

A high proportion of government expenditure on education demonstrates a high government priority for education relative to other public investments. The Education 2030 Framework for Action has endorsed a benchmark for this indicator, which encourages countries to allocate at least 15% to 20% of their public expenditure to education.

While the indicator allows for cross-country comparisons, differences in government structures, budgeting practices, and definitions may limit the comparability of data between countries. Variations in how countries categorize and report spending on education can introduce biases into comparative analyses.

The indicator does not consider the demographic profile of a country's population, such as age distribution or socioeconomic status. Countries with younger populations may naturally allocate a higher proportion of spending to education, regardless of government priorities, while countries with aging populations may prioritize other essential services, such as healthcare or social security.
Method of computation

Total government expenditure for all levels of education combined expressed as a percentage of total general government expenditure (all sectors).

P X E t = T X E t T P X t

P X E t = total general government expenditure on education (all levels of education combined) as a percentage of total government expenditure in financial year t

T X E t = total general government expenditure on education (all levels of education combined) in financial year t

T P X t = total general government expenditure in financial year t
Metadata update

2024-06-28
International organisations(s) responsible for global monitoring

UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UNESCO-UIS)
Related indicators

4.5.3, 4.5.4, 4.5.5, 4.5.6, 4.b.1
UN designated tier

2
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