African government budgets: education and health spending
How much each African government budgets for education and health, how much it spends, and how it compares with the Abuja health target and the Education 2030 benchmark. Every figure comes from official budget documents.
Health share of the budget
Red mark: the Abuja Declaration health target of 15%. Each country shows its latest year with an official health figure.
Education share of the budget
Red mark: the lower end of the Education 2030 benchmark, 15 to 20% of public spending. The full bar is the upper end.
Education and health together
Red mark: the two lower targets added together, 30%. The full bar is the Abuja target plus the upper end of the Education 2030 range.
Budget transparency
Open Budget Survey transparency score, out of 100. Source: International Budget Partnership, 2023. South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria
Shares are of each government's own headline budget, and what that covers differs by country: see the notes under Countries. A figure marked partial leaves out part of the sector, so its share is understated.
Countries
Nigeria, 2023 to 2026
Approved against actual spending, education and health shares, spending per person and share of GDP.
Federal government only. States and local governments fund much of primary education and primary health care.
Ghana, 2023 to 2026
Approved against actual spending, education and health shares, spending per person and share of GDP.
Central government.
Kenya, 2023/24 to 2026/27
Approved against actual spending, education and health shares, spending per person and share of GDP.
National government only. Counties deliver most primary health care.
South Africa, 2023/24 to 2026/27
Approved against actual spending, education and health shares, spending per person and share of GDP.
Consolidated government, including the nine provinces.
Source: Budget Office of the Federation; State House, Nigeria; Ministry of Finance, Ghana; National Treasury; Controller of Budget; International Budget Partnership; World Bank, 2023 to 2026. Method