Healthcare Spending by Country (% of GDP) – 2025 Global Ranking

Healthcare expenditure is a critical indicator of a nation’s commitment to the health and well-being of its population. Measured as a percentage of GDP, it reflects the proportion of a country’s economic resources allocated to healthcare services, including infrastructure, personnel, medications, and public health programs. Globally, the average Healthcare Expenditure (% of GDP) stands at 10.35%, underscoring the significant role of healthcare systems in sustaining economic and social stability.

High healthcare expenditure often correlates with better access to services, advanced medical technologies, and improved health outcomes. However, excessive spending does not always guarantee efficiency, as it depends on the structure and management of healthcare systems. This article delves into the global distribution of healthcare spending, highlighting the top-spending countries and trends over the years.

Top 10 Countries with the Highest Healthcare Expenditure (% of GDP)

  1. Afghanistan: 21.83%
  2. Tuvalu: 19.97%
  3. Liberia: 16.62%
  4. United States: 16.57%
  5. Palau: 16.38%
  6. Kiribati: 14.81%
  7. Cuba: 13.79%
  8. Nauru: 13.06%
  9. Germany: 12.65%
  10. Marshall Islands: 12.55%

The countries with the highest healthcare expenditure as a percentage of GDP vary significantly in economic status and healthcare outcomes. Afghanistan tops the list at 21.83%, driven by international aid and a relatively small GDP base. Small island nations like Tuvalu, Palau, and Kiribati rank highly due to limited resources and high dependency on imported medical supplies. The United States, a developed nation, allocates 16.57%, reflecting high healthcare costs and privatized systems. Germany stands out among developed countries for its efficient, publicly funded healthcare system, contributing 12.65% of its GDP to healthcare.

Full Table (Source: World Health Organization Global Health Expenditure Database)

wdt_ID wdt_created_by wdt_created_at wdt_last_edited_by wdt_last_edited_at Country Most Recent Value Most Recent Year
1mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMAfghanistan21.832,021
2mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMTuvalu19.972,021
3mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMLiberia16.622,021
4mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMUnited States16.572,022
5mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMPalau16.382,021
6mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMKiribati14.812,021
7mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMCuba13.792,021
8mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMNauru13.062,021
9mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMGermany12.652,022
10mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMMarshall Islands12.552,021
11mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMArmenia12.342,021
12mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMFrance12.312,021
13mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMAustria12.102,021
14mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMSwitzerland11.802,021
15mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMTimor-Leste11.442,021
16mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMUnited Kingdom11.342,022
17mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMNetherlands11.292,021
18mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMCanada11.152,022
19mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMBelgium11.042,021
20mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMMicronesia, Fed. Sts.10.962,021
21mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMJapan10.822,021
22mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMSpain10.742,021
23mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMSweden10.672,022
24mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMPortugal10.622,022
25mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMMalta10.582,021
26mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMMontenegro10.552,021
27mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMAustralia10.542,021
28mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMFinland10.252,021
29mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMLesotho10.212,021
30mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMLebanon10.062,021
31mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMNew Zealand10.052,021
32mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMMaldives10.032,021
33mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMSerbia10.012,021
34mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMBrazil9.892,021
35mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMKorea, Rep.9.722,022
36mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMEl Salvador9.722,021
37mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMArgentina9.712,021
38mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMNicaragua9.682,021
39mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMPanama9.682,021
40mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMBosnia and Herzegovina9.562,021
41mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMDenmark9.502,022
42mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMCzechia9.492,021
43mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMCyprus9.432,021
44mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMNamibia9.382,021
45mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMUruguay9.362,021
46mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMGreece9.172,021
47mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMHonduras9.162,021
48mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMBurundi9.102,021
49mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMCentral African Republic9.072,021
50mfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMmfk97mfk09/12/2024 07:08 PMMozambique9.052,021

Global Healthcare Expenditure Trend Over the Years

Over the past two decades, global healthcare expenditure has steadily increased, rising from 8.62% of GDP in 2000 to 10.35% in 2021. The surge in 2020, peaking at 10.87%, reflects the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which necessitated substantial spending on emergency healthcare services, vaccination campaigns, and public health initiatives. The consistent growth highlights the increasing prioritization of healthcare across nations.

Factors Influencing Healthcare Expenditure

  • Economic Development and Healthcare Spending: Wealthier nations tend to allocate a larger proportion of their GDP to healthcare, ensuring better infrastructure and universal access. However, developing nations with limited GDP may show high percentages due to reliance on external funding and lower overall economic output.
  • Impact of Pandemics and Public Health Crises: Global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic drastically influence healthcare expenditure patterns. Countries worldwide reallocated resources to address urgent health needs, reflecting sharp increases in spending during 2020 and 2021.

The Healthcare Expenditure (% of GDP) metric provides invaluable insights into a country’s healthcare priorities and economic strategies. While high expenditure often correlates with improved health outcomes, efficiency and equitable distribution remain critical. As global challenges evolve, governments must balance spending with sustainable healthcare strategies to ensure long-term resilience.


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