BAKU - Azerbaijan’s draft state budget for 2027 would reduce general education spending by about 229.4 million manats ($134.9 million), or 9.5%, even as the country’s overall education budget rises.
The draft allocates 2.185 billion manats ($1.285 billion) to general education, down from 2.415 billion manats ($1.421 billion) in the enacted 2026 budget. Total education spending would increase to 5.099 billion manats ($2.999 billion) from 5.016 billion manats ($2.950 billion).
The figures are listed in the official 2027 draft budget published by Azerbaijan’s parliament and the 2026 state budget.
| Education Allocation | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 Draft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total education spending | 4.946 billion manats | 5.016 billion manats | 5.099 billion manats |
| General education spending | 2.348 billion manats | 2.415 billion manats | 2.185 billion manats |
| General education share | 47.46% | 48.14% | 42.86% |
The 2025 figures are from that year’s approved state budget.
More Money for Other Education Institutions and Programs
Lawyer Akram Hasanov drew attention to the shift in a public Facebook post, asking where the additional education funding would go if the allocation for general education declines.
The draft increases spending on vocational, secondary specialized and higher education. The largest rise, however, is in the category covering “other institutions and activities in education,” which would receive 1.995 billion manats ($1.174 billion), up from 1.693 billion manats ($995.6 million) in 2026.
That is an increase of about 302.6 million manats ($178 million). The category would account for about 39.1% of the entire education budget.
Hasanov said the allocation includes spending on government education bodies, equipment and facilities, major repairs and other programs. He argued that the increase requires a clearer public explanation and expressed concern that more money could be directed to administrative, construction and repair costs while classroom-related spending falls.
Demographic Decline Cited
Hasanov suggested that declining birth numbers may be one factor behind the lower general education allocation. Azerbaijan recorded 95,875 births in 2025, about 42% fewer than the 166,210 births recorded in 2015.
He also linked the issue to emigration and the dispute over whether students may wear hijabs in public schools, arguing that some religious families could consider leaving the country. That assertion reflects Hasanov’s opinion and is not presented in the draft budget as a reason for the spending change.
Source: Vesti Baku