In 2019, the country spent €10,725 per student, considering all levels of education, €1,480 less than other countries.

The latest data from the Education at a Glance report, released recently by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), are alarming. The conclusion to be drawn is that Portugal invests less in education, on average, than the other countries that make up the organisation.

According to Público, Portugal is below the OECD average in terms of spending per student. In 2019, in the pre-pandemic period, the country spent 10,535 US dollars (10,725 euros) per student, considering all levels of education, from the 1st cycle to higher education. A value lower than the OECD average (US$11,990). This means that Portugal invests 1,480 euros (US$1,455) less for each student than the average of its international partners.

The report concludes that 13 countries, out of a total of 36, invest less than Portugal per student. Among them are other European nations such as Greece, Slovakia, Hungary and Poland.

Also noteworthy is the fact that between 2008 and 2019 Portugal increased the percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) dedicated to Education, from 4.5% to 4.8%, a value that is, however, still below the OECD average (4.9%).