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Understanding the Increases in Education Spending in Public Schools in Canada, 2016 Edition

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Understanding the Increases in Education Spending in Public Schools in Canada, 2016 edition

Summary:

  • Education spending on public schools in Canada increased by $18.2 billion (41.1%) between 2004/05 and 2013/14, from $44.3 billion to $62.6 billion.
  • Compensation (salaries and wages, fringe benefits, and pensions) accounts for most of the increase, growing from $32.1 billion in 2004/05 to $46.4 billion in 2013/14. Salaries and wages increased by 39.2%, from $26.5 billion in 2004/05 to $36.9 billion in 2013/14.
  • Fringe benefits increased 52.6% from $3.4 billion in 2004/05 to $5.2 billion in 2013/14.
  • Teacher pension costs increased 91.5% from $2.3 billion in 2004/05 to $4.3 billion in 2013/14. Pension costs increased as a share of total education spending on public schools from 5.1% in 2004/05 to 6.9% in 2013/14. Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Alberta account for over three-quarters of the increase in pension spending between 2004/05 and 2013/14.
  • Capital spending increased 60.1% over this period, increasing from $3.1 billion in 2004/05 to $4.9 billion in 2013/14. As a share of total education spending in public schools, capital spending increased from 6.9% in 2004/05 to 7.9% in 2013/14.

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