Japan spends lowest amount on education relative to GDP among OECD nations

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Japan spends lowest amount on education relative to GDP among OECD nations

Japan's ratio of its education expenditure to GDP was the lowest among 28 member states of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in 2007, an OECD report said on September 7.

According to the report, Japan in 2007 spent 3.4 percent of its GDP for education purposes, much lower than the OECD average of 5.2 percent. It's spending to GDP ratio for universities and other higher education institutions was 0.6 percent.

The number of students per class at Japanese elementary schools was 28, the third highest among the OECD nations (21.6 average). Japan also has the second largest number of students per classroom (33) at junior high schools, among the OECD members (23.7 average).

Education expert Ogi Naoki commented that Japan is going against the trend of other countries, which are increasing their education spending based on the recognition that education is an important investment for the future and essential for children's healthy development.

- Akahata, September 8, 2010