How much does France spend on education compared with the rest of Europe?
Summary
French students have been protesting school conditions like crowded classrooms and teacher shortages since September 21. France spends 5.1 percent of its GDP on education, which is above the EU average but still faces issues like high class sizes and unqualified teachers.Key Facts
- Protests began on September 21 in a Paris suburb and spread nationwide, involving clashes between students and police.
- More than 6,100 people have been arrested during the protests and strikes.
- France spends 5.1% of its GDP on public education, or 6.7% when including private and business contributions, totaling about 199.2 billion euros in 2025.
- Secondary education receives the largest share of educational funding (37%), followed by primary (30%), higher education (23%), and adult education (10%).
- Sweden spends the most on education in Europe at 7.3% of GDP; France ranks 13th among European countries.
- Teacher shortages are a problem in France, with 11% of secondary school teachers not fully qualified.
- Average secondary school class size in France is 26 students, above the OECD average of 23.
- Students report poor school conditions, including old buildings, lack of furniture, and rodent problems, worsened by recent heatwaves.
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