Paraguay
The figures from Paraguay highlight both advances and persistent challenges in education financing. The most recent data (2023) shows that the country allocated 3.41% of GDP to public education. This is well below the international benchmark of 6% and below the regional average. By contrast, education spending as a share of the public budget was 21.99%, which surpasses the 20% target and is above the regional average. Public spending per school-age person was USD 763.25 (2023), remaining below the regional average.
Attendance data shows near gender parity, with a gender ratio of 0.98 (2022). The wealth parity index was 1.30, indicating that children from wealthier households are more likely to attend school than those from poorer households.
To complement these figures, our members provide national-level analysis, highlighting nuances and policy recommendations.
Read our members’ education financing brief
Public expenditure on education as a % of GDP
Public financial effort is assessed by examining education spending as a share of GDP and as a share of the total government budget. International benchmarks since 2015 have set 4–6% of GDP and 15–20% of total government expenditure as targets. In Paraguay, the latest data (2023) shows that 3.41% of GDP was invested in education, falling short of both the benchmark and the regional average. However, education accounted for 21.99% of the national budget.
Public expenditure on education as a % of total public expenditure
Public spending per school-age person was USD 763.25, significantly below the regional average, underscoring resource limitations.
Public spending per school-age person
The second dimension of analysis considers access equity, measured by gender parity and income-related disparities.
- The gender ratio was 0.98 (2022), reflecting near parity between boys and girls, though slightly under the regional average.
- The wealth parity index was 1.30, showing that wealthier children are more likely to attend school. Still, this gap is narrower than the regional average, suggesting relatively smaller income-based disparities in school access.