Public Financing and Higher Education Expansion: A Comparative Study of Government Expenditure and Gross Enrollment Ratios in India and Selected South Asian Countries

Abstract

Public financing remains a fundamental driver of higher education expansion, particularly in developing regions where demographic pressures and socio-economic aspirations are rapidly increasing. In South Asia, governments have intensified budgetary commitments to higher education in order to improve access, enhance institutional capacity, and raise Gross Enrollment Ratios (GER). This study investigates the relationship between government expenditure on higher education and enrollment expansion in India and selected South Asian countries through a comparative analytical framework.

Using secondary data from internationally recognized databases such as the UNESCO Institute for Statistics and the World Bank, the research examines trends in public expenditure as a share of GDP and total education spending, and assesses their association with changes in GER over time (UNESCO Institute for Statistics [UIS], 2023; World Bank, 2023). The analysis reveals that although increased public expenditure generally contributes to enrollment growth, the effectiveness of spending depends on policy priorities, governance structures, demographic composition, and institutional efficiency. India has demonstrated gradual improvement in GER alongside expanding public investment; however, regional disparities and equity concerns remain significant challenges. Comparatively, other South Asian nations exhibit varying expenditure patterns and enrollment outcomes, indicating that financial inputs alone do not guarantee proportional expansion.

The study concludes that sustainable growth in higher education participation requires not only higher fiscal commitment but also strategic allocation, equity-focused funding models, and accountability mechanisms. The findings provide policy-relevant insights for strengthening public financing strategies aimed at inclusive and long-term higher education development in South Asia.