Brazil’s Fundeb is set to mobilise R$370.3 billion in 2026, the federal government announced, marking an 8.54% increase in financing for public basic education compared with 2025. The interministerial ordinance published on 31 December 2025 sets out the estimates for next year and details a stronger federal contribution to the fund.
Brazil Fundeb 2026: Key figures and allocations
The National Fund for the Development of Education (FNDE), linked to the Ministry of Education, calculated the Fundeb projection. Of the total, R$301.1 billion is expected to come from state, federal district and municipal contributions, while the Union will provide a complement of R$69.2 billion.
The federal top-up represents a 23.3% increase on 2025, when the Union contributed R$56.1 billion, delivering an additional R$13 billion for basic education. The rise reflects both stronger revenue projections for the taxes and transfers tied to Fundeb and the full implementation of the Novo Fundeb complement percentage, which reaches 23% in 2026.
The composition of the federal complement follows statutory rules: 10% for the annual per-pupil complement (VAAF), 10.5% for the total annual per-pupil complement (VAAT) and 2.5% for the results-based per-pupil complement (VAAR). The VAAR tranche completes the progressive increase of the Union’s share as provided by law.
Education Minister Camilo Santana welcomed the increase, saying it will directly benefit children, young people and teachers as public systems prepare for the new school year. Fernanda Pacobahyba, president of the FNDE, described Fundeb as a fundamental instrument for equity, highlighting its role in funding school infrastructure, teaching materials and staff remuneration.
Spending rules and implementation
By law, at least 70% of Fundeb resources must be used to pay education professionals in active service, reinforcing policies to value teaching staff across public networks. The remaining 30% may be applied to maintenance and development of education, including improvements to school buildings, purchase of equipment and acquisition of pedagogical materials.
Projections for 2026 assume 39.3 million enrolments in public basic education. For the VAAR complement, 3,076 federative entities met the eligibility conditions to receive results-based funds, signalling progress in adopting performance and management indicators.
Union complement payments will be disbursed across 13 monthly instalments from January 2026 to January 2027, according to the ordinance. Estimates will be reviewed every four months, as required by Novo Fundeb legislation, to keep allocations aligned with revenue developments during the fiscal year.
The updated funding level is likely to ease fiscal pressures on states and municipalities and provide more predictable resources for local education planning. Authorities say the extra federal support should translate into better infrastructure, more teaching materials and stronger incentives to retain and value teachers, contributing to improved outcomes across Brazil’s public basic education system.
Source: Ministry of Education; FNDE.
Key Takeaways:
- Brazil Fundeb 2026 expected to total R$370.3 billion, an 8.54% rise on 2025.
- Federal complement rises 23.3% to R$69.2 billion, strengthening Union support for basic education.
- Minimum 70% of Fundeb must pay teachers and staff; remaining 30% funds maintenance and development.
- Estimates assume 39.3 million enrolments and will be updated quarterly to match revenue projections.
