Financial overview

The 2024-2025 education finance data from the OECS Member States reveals a total reported education budget of EC$ 738.2 million, covering four Member States. This represents 11.5% of their combined national budgets and 5.8% of their GDP.

738.2

Education budgets (EC$ million)

4

Member States reporting

11.5%

Share of national budgets

5.8%

Share of GDP

The financial overview for 2024-2025 indicates that four Member States reported their education budgets, amounting to a total of EC$ 738.2 million. This expenditure constitutes 11.5% of the combined national budgets of these states and 5.8% of their GDP. These figures provide a snapshot of the financial commitment to education within the reporting Member States, aligning with international benchmarks for GDP but falling short in terms of the share of national budgets.

Education budget by Member State

Education budget, national budget and GDP by Member State (EC$ million)

Member State	Education budget	National budget	% of national budget	GDP	% of GDP
Saint Lucia	261.9	1,894.1	13.8%	—	—
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	204.1	1,616.5	12.6%	2,874.9	7.1%
Grenada	183.5	1,602.4	11.4%	3,805.6	4.8%
Dominica	88.7	1,278.3	6.9%	1,499.2	5.9%
Total	738.2	6,391.3	11.5%	8,179.7	5.8%

Education budget by Member State, 2024-2025 (EC$ million)

Saint Lucia

261.9

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

204.1

Grenada

183.5

Dominica

88.7

Data coverage Percentages are calculated from the budget and GDP amounts returned, and the combined shares use only Member States that reported both amounts. A GDP or budget figure that looks out of line with the others should be checked against the country return before it is relied on.

Saint Lucia reports the highest education budget at EC$ 261.9 million, representing 13.8% of its national budget. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines follows with EC$ 204.1 million, accounting for 12.6% of its budget and 7.1% of its GDP. Grenada allocates EC$ 183.5 million, which is 11.4% of its national budget and 4.8% of its GDP. Dominica, with the smallest budget of EC$ 88.7 million, dedicates 6.9% of its national budget and 5.9% of its GDP to education. These figures highlight varying levels of commitment relative to national budgets and GDP among the reporting states.

Recurrent and capital spending

Recurrent and capital education budget by Member State (EC$ million)

Member State	Recurrent	Capital	% capital
Saint Lucia	237.2	24.7	9.4%
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	173.4	30.7	15.1%
Grenada	135.9	47.6	25.9%
Dominica	71.5	17.2	19.4%
Total	618.0	120.2	16.3%

Recurrent and capital share of the education budget

Saint Lucia

91%

9%

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

85%

15%

Grenada

74%

26%

Dominica

81%

19%

RecurrentCapital

The allocation of education budgets to capital investment varies significantly among the Member States. Grenada allocates the highest percentage to capital spending at 25.9%, followed by Dominica at 19.4%. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines dedicates 15.1% to capital, while Saint Lucia allocates the least at 9.4%. Overall, 16.3% of the total reported education budget is directed towards capital investment, indicating a focus on infrastructure and long-term educational assets.

Budget allocation by education level

Education budget allocation by level (EC$ million)

Member State	Early childhood	Primary	Secondary	Special education	Post-secondary	Other
Saint Lucia	5.0	66.3	83.5	5.3	20.8	74.1
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	—	60.6	52.8	6.2	27.6	47.2
Grenada	7.0	42.9	39.8	0.7	21.9	61.3
Dominica	1.5	31.0	36.1	—	12.6	7.4
Total	13.6	200.8	212.2	12.2	82.9	190.0

Share of allocated education budget by level

Saint Lucia

2%

26%

33%

2%

8%

29%

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

31%

27%

3%

14%

25%

Grenada

4%

25%

23%

0%

13%

35%

Dominica

2%

35%

41%

14%

8%

OECS

2%

28%

30%

2%

11%

27%

Early childhoodPrimarySecondarySpecial educationPost-secondaryOther

In terms of budget allocation by education level, secondary education receives the largest share across the reporting Member States, with a total of EC$ 212.2 million. Primary education follows closely with EC$ 200.8 million. Special education receives the smallest allocation, with only EC$ 12.2 million reported. The distribution varies, with Dominica allocating the highest percentage to secondary education at 40.7%, while Saint Lucia allocates a significant portion to 'Other' categories at 29.0%. These allocations reflect differing priorities and educational strategies among the Member States.

Population context

Population by Member State and sex

Member State	Male	Female	Total	% female
Saint Lucia	91,553	93,270	184,823	50.5%
Grenada	58,777	58,480	117,257	49.9%
Antigua and Barbuda	49,588	54,015	103,603	52.1%
Total	199,918	205,765	405,683	50.7%

Population by Member State, 2024-2025

Saint Lucia

184,823

Grenada

117,257

Antigua and Barbuda

103,603

The population data covers three Member States, with a total reported population of 405,683. Saint Lucia has the largest population at 184,823, followed by Grenada with 117,257, and Antigua and Barbuda with 103,603. The gender distribution is relatively balanced, with females constituting 50.7% of the total population. However, the absence of data from some Member States limits a comprehensive analysis of the population context.

Key observations and policy implications

Key finding The total reported education budget for 2024-2025 is EC$ 738.2 million, covering four Member States.

Positive trend The education budget represents 5.8% of the GDP, aligning with international benchmarks.

Area of concern Only four Member States reported their education budgets, limiting the comprehensiveness of the data.

Area of concern The allocation to special education is notably low, with only EC$ 12.2 million reported across the Member States.

Recommendation Encourage all Member States to report their education budgets to enhance the comprehensiveness and accuracy of regional financial analysis.