The absolute disparities between OECD countries and the rest of the world remain staggering. On average, OECD countries invest ten times more per student than low-income countries, reflecting deep and persistent inequities in global education financing.

We calculated the regional averages since 2015 and compared them with the OECD average. Two possible graphs illustrate this gap. The first shows investment per student in each region as a proportion of the OECD average. For example, in 2015, countries in Latin America and the Caribbean invested only 23% of what OECD countries invested per student.

The second graph presents the same data in dollar values per capita, highlighting how these inequalities have evolved annually. The distance between the lines visualizes the structural imbalance — a clear picture of how far the world still is from achieving equity in education investment.

Even among countries with higher GDP, none have “given up” on investing substantially per student. Across OECD countries, annual expenditure per student averages about USD 10,700 at the primary level, USD 11,900 at the secondary level, and USD 18,100 at the tertiary level. By contrast, in many low-income countries, the investment barely reaches a few hundred dollars per student.

This imbalance is not only economic — it is a matter of justice and rights. Ensuring every learner receives adequate resources requires rethinking global financing priorities and mobilizing fair, sustained investments across all regions.