Top 10 Countries Spending The Most Per Student On Education In 2026

According to Ireporter Online, global education spending per student in 2026 continues to reveal significant disparities between nations, with a select group of countries investing far above the OECD average of approximately $15,000. The latest Purchasing Power Parity (PPP)-adjusted data from the OECD Education database shows that several advanced economies are prioritising human capital development through substantial per-student funding.

Luxembourg tops the ranking with an estimated $31,439 per student, driven by its small population, strong fiscal capacity, and a multilingual education system supported by highly competitive teacher remuneration. Norway follows with $22,558 per student, reflecting its welfare-oriented model that emphasises inclusive access, smaller class sizes, and well-developed school infrastructure across regions.

Austria ranks third, investing $20,942 per student, supported by a structured academic and vocational system that integrates apprenticeships with formal education. The United States comes fourth with $20,387 per student, where funding varies across states but overall expenditure supports advanced facilities, research-driven institutions, and a globally influential higher education sector.

South Korea is placed fifth, spending $19,805 per student, combining strong public investment with significant private contributions, particularly in supplementary education programmes. Denmark follows with $19,229 per student, maintaining a system focused on equity, student welfare, and collaborative learning supported by consistent public funding.

The Netherlands ranks seventh at $19,186 per student, with spending directed toward a flexible education structure that enables early academic and vocational tracking. The United Kingdom comes eighth with $19,072 per student, reflecting strong investment in higher education and research despite ongoing concerns over funding pressures in public schools.

Belgium is ninth with $19,024 per student, sustaining a well-funded system shaped by its linguistic regions and strong early childhood education programmes. Canada completes the top ten with $18,733 per student, supported by a decentralised model that continues to deliver strong outcomes in literacy, equity, and overall educational performance.