Government spending and lower secondary education completion in Asia: A cross-national analysis

Abstract

This paper examines the influence of government expenditure on lower secondary education completion rates across 35 Asian countries, using 2019 data from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Despite global commitments to equitable education, regional disparities in funding and outcomes persist. Employing a cross-sectional correlational design, the study identifies a weak, statistically nonsignificant association (r = 0.26, p = 0.122) between government education spending and completion rates. These findings suggest that while funding remains a critical input, its impact may be limited without concurrent investments in education quality, governance, and equity. Key limitations include reliance on single-year data, absence of control variables, and structural inefficiencies across national systems. The study advocates for more nuanced public investment strategies that emphasize targeted interventions, data-driven policymaking, and inclusive financing to align national efforts with Sustainable Development Goals. These insights are relevant for ministries of education, international organizations, and donors seeking to strengthen education systems and promote equitable access across Asia.