The Central Bureau of Statistics reports that Israel tops the rankings of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in spending on education as a percentage of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Israel spent NIS 56.2 billion on education in 2007, 8.5% of GDP, compared with the OECD average of 5.8%. However, spending per pupil is below the OECD's average, with Israel ranking 20th of 30 countries in spending per student.
Analysts say Israel's high birth rate compared with OECD results in 26% of Israel's total population being of school age (5-19 years old). The proportion of school age students is 18% in Denmark and the Netherlands, 17% in Belgium and Sweden, and 16% in Germany.
Among OECD members, the US spends the most per pupil and Turkey and Mexico spend the least.