Chile
The figures from Chile highlight progress and ongoing challenges in education financing and equity. The most recent data (2021) shows that the country allocated 5.0% of GDP to public education. This is below the international benchmark of 6% but above the regional average. Education spending as a share of the public budget was 14.88%, falling short of the 20% benchmark and below the regional average. However, public spending per school-age person reached USD 4,181.74 (2021), which is above the regional average.
Attendance data illustrates mixed outcomes. In 2022, the gender ratio was 0.97, slightly below the regional average but indicating near gender parity. The wealth parity index was 1.03, suggesting that children from wealthier households are marginally more likely to attend school. Importantly, this figure is below the regional average, pointing to relatively lower inequality in school attendance compared to neighboring countries.
To complement these figures, our members provide national-level analysis, highlighting important nuances and policy recommendations.
Read our members’ education financing brief
Public financial effort measures the proportion of national resources allocated to education, expressed as a percentage of GDP and of the total public budget. International benchmarks since 2015 have set 4–6% of GDP and 15–20% of government spending as reference targets. In Chile, the most recent data (2021) indicates that 5.0% of GDP was allocated to education, which is within the benchmark range but still below the 6% target. This performance is above the regional average. By contrast, education’s share of the public budget was 14.88%, below both the 20% target and the regional average.
Public expenditure on education as a % of GDP
Public expenditure on education as a % of total public expenditure
Public spending per school-age person was USD 4,181.74, exceeding the regional average and placing Chile among the region’s higher per-student spenders. However, it remains significantly below the OECD average, estimated at around USD 10,500 per student in the same year.
Public spending per school-age person
- The gender ratio was 0.97 (2022), reflecting near parity between boys and girls, though slightly below the regional average.
- The wealth parity index was 1.03, showing a small advantage for children from the wealthiest households. However, this figure is below the regional average, indicating relatively lower inequality in access compared to the region overall.