Health Expenditure (% of GDP) 2016
Health Expenditure as a percentage of GDP reveals how countries invest in healthcare. Compare rankings and explore interactive maps.
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Complete Data Rankings
Rank | ||
|---|---|---|
1 |  United States | 17.1 % of GDP |
2 |  Tuvalu | 16.5 % of GDP |
3 |  Maldives | 13.7 % of GDP |
4 |  Sweden | 11.9 % of GDP |
5 |  Switzerland | 11.7 % of GDP |
6 |  France | 11.5 % of GDP |
7 |  Malawi | 11.4 % of GDP |
8 |  Germany | 11.3 % of GDP |
9 |  Austria | 11.2 % of GDP |
10 |  Cuba | 11.1 % of GDP |
11 |  Sierra Leone | 11.1 % of GDP |
12 |  New Zealand | 11 % of GDP |
13 |  Netherlands | 10.9 % of GDP |
14 |  Denmark | 10.8 % of GDP |
15 |  Belgium | 10.6 % of GDP |
16 |  Djibouti | 10.6 % of GDP |
17 |  Lesotho | 10.6 % of GDP |
18 |  Canada | 10.4 % of GDP |
19 |  Serbia | 10.4 % of GDP |
20 |  Republic of Moldova | 10.3 % of GDP |
21 |  Japan | 10.2 % of GDP |
22 |  Kiribati | 10.2 % of GDP |
23 |  Liberia | 10 % of GDP |
24 |  Paraguay | 9.8 % of GDP |
25 |  Finland | 9.7 % of GDP |
26 |  Malta | 9.7 % of GDP |
27 |  Norway | 9.7 % of GDP |
28 |  Bosnia and Herzegovina | 9.6 % of GDP |
29 |  Portugal | 9.5 % of GDP |
30 |  Australia | 9.4 % of GDP |
31 |  Costa Rica | 9.3 % of GDP |
32 |  Eswatini | 9.3 % of GDP |
33 |  Ecuador | 9.2 % of GDP |
34 |  Italy | 9.2 % of GDP |
35 |  Slovenia | 9.2 % of GDP |
36 |  United Kingdom | 9.1 % of GDP |
37 |  Nicaragua | 9 % of GDP |
38 |  Spain | 9 % of GDP |
39 |  Iceland | 8.9 % of GDP |
40 |  Namibia | 8.9 % of GDP |
41 |  South Africa | 8.8 % of GDP |
42 |  Honduras | 8.7 % of GDP |
43 |  Uruguay | 8.6 % of GDP |
44 |  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 8.6 % of GDP |
45 |  Bulgaria | 8.4 % of GDP |
46 |  Sao Tome and Principe | 8.4 % of GDP |
47 |  Brazil | 8.3 % of GDP |
48 |  Afghanistan | 8.2 % of GDP |
49 |  Andorra | 8.1 % of GDP |
50 |  Greece | 8.1 % of GDP |
51 |  Slovakia | 8.1 % of GDP |
52 |  Panama | 8 % of GDP |
53 |  Chile | 7.8 % of GDP |
54 |  Ireland | 7.8 % of GDP |
55 |  Croatia | 7.8 % of GDP |
56 |  Israel | 7.8 % of GDP |
57 |  Bahamas | 7.7 % of GDP |
58 |  Haiti | 7.6 % of GDP |
59 |  Barbados | 7.5 % of GDP |
60 |  Burundi | 7.5 % of GDP |
61 |  Jordan | 7.5 % of GDP |
62 |  Rwanda | 7.5 % of GDP |
63 |  Cyprus | 7.4 % of GDP |
64 |  Czech Republic | 7.4 % of GDP |
65 |  Georgia | 7.4 % of GDP |
66 |  Hungary | 7.4 % of GDP |
67 |  South Korea | 7.4 % of GDP |
68 |  Niue | 7.4 % of GDP |
69 |  Gambia | 7.3 % of GDP |
70 |  Algeria | 7.2 % of GDP |
71 |  Colombia | 7.2 % of GDP |
72 |  Uganda | 7.2 % of GDP |
73 |  Samoa | 7.2 % of GDP |
74 |  Russia | 7.1 % of GDP |
75 |  Ukraine | 7.1 % of GDP |
76 |  Vietnam | 7.1 % of GDP |
77 |  Mozambique | 7 % of GDP |
78 |  Tunisia | 7 % of GDP |
79 |  Iran | 6.9 % of GDP |
80 |  Mali | 6.9 % of GDP |
81 |  Tajikistan | 6.9 % of GDP |
82 |  El Salvador | 6.8 % of GDP |
83 |  Comoros | 6.7 % of GDP |
84 |  Saint Lucia | 6.7 % of GDP |
85 |  Lithuania | 6.6 % of GDP |
86 |  Luxembourg | 6.6 % of GDP |
87 |  Kyrgyzstan | 6.5 % of GDP |
88 |  North Macedonia | 6.5 % of GDP |
89 |  Thailand | 6.5 % of GDP |
90 |  Estonia | 6.4 % of GDP |
91 |  Lebanon | 6.4 % of GDP |
92 |  Montenegro | 6.4 % of GDP |
93 |  Poland | 6.4 % of GDP |
94 |  Zimbabwe | 6.4 % of GDP |
95 |  Bolivia | 6.3 % of GDP |
96 |  Mexico | 6.3 % of GDP |
97 |  Guatemala | 6.2 % of GDP |
98 |  Grenada | 6.1 % of GDP |
99 |  San Marino | 6.1 % of GDP |
100 |  Azerbaijan | 6 % of GDP |
101 |  Albania | 5.9 % of GDP |
102 |  Latvia | 5.9 % of GDP |
103 |  Morocco | 5.9 % of GDP |
104 |  Trinidad and Tobago | 5.9 % of GDP |
105 |  Belize | 5.8 % of GDP |
106 |  Niger | 5.8 % of GDP |
107 |  Nepal | 5.8 % of GDP |
108 |  Uzbekistan | 5.8 % of GDP |
109 |  Belarus | 5.7 % of GDP |
110 |  Cambodia | 5.7 % of GDP |
111 |  Côte d'Ivoire | 5.7 % of GDP |
112 |  Kenya | 5.7 % of GDP |
113 |  Suriname | 5.7 % of GDP |
114 |  Egypt | 5.6 % of GDP |
115 |  Guinea | 5.6 % of GDP |
116 |  Guinea-Bissau | 5.6 % of GDP |
117 |  Romania | 5.6 % of GDP |
118 |  Tanzania | 5.6 % of GDP |
119 |  Yemen | 5.6 % of GDP |
120 |  Antigua and Barbuda | 5.5 % of GDP |
121 |  China | 5.5 % of GDP |
122 |  Dominica | 5.5 % of GDP |
123 |  Iraq | 5.5 % of GDP |
124 |  Peru | 5.5 % of GDP |
125 |  Botswana | 5.4 % of GDP |
126 |  Jamaica | 5.4 % of GDP |
127 |  Turkey | 5.4 % of GDP |
128 |  Venezuela | 5.3 % of GDP |
129 |  Congo | 5.2 % of GDP |
130 |  Guyana | 5.2 % of GDP |
131 |  Tonga | 5.2 % of GDP |
132 |  Togo | 5.2 % of GDP |
133 |  Solomon Islands | 5.1 % of GDP |
134 |  Saint Kitts and Nevis | 5.1 % of GDP |
135 |  Bahrain | 5 % of GDP |
136 |  Libya | 5 % of GDP |
137 |  Vanuatu | 5 % of GDP |
138 |  Burkina Faso | 5 % of GDP |
139 |  Zambia | 5 % of GDP |
140 |  Ethiopia | 4.9 % of GDP |
141 |  Singapore | 4.9 % of GDP |
142 |  Argentina | 4.8 % of GDP |
143 |  Cabo Verde | 4.8 % of GDP |
144 |  Mauritius | 4.8 % of GDP |
145 |  India | 4.7 % of GDP |
146 |  Mongolia | 4.7 % of GDP |
147 |  Philippines | 4.7 % of GDP |
148 |  Saudi Arabia | 4.7 % of GDP |
149 |  Senegal | 4.7 % of GDP |
150 |  Benin | 4.6 % of GDP |
151 |  Fiji | 4.5 % of GDP |
152 |  Dominican Republic | 4.4 % of GDP |
153 |  Kazakhstan | 4.4 % of GDP |
154 |  Congo, Democratic Republic of the | 4.3 % of GDP |
155 |  Monaco | 4.3 % of GDP |
156 |  Papua New Guinea | 4.3 % of GDP |
157 |  Central African Republic | 4.2 % of GDP |
158 |  Malaysia | 4.2 % of GDP |
159 |  Cameroon | 4.1 % of GDP |
160 |  Equatorial Guinea | 3.8 % of GDP |
161 |  Mauritania | 3.8 % of GDP |
162 |  Nigeria | 3.7 % of GDP |
163 |  United Arab Emirates | 3.6 % of GDP |
164 |  Bhutan | 3.6 % of GDP |
165 |  Chad | 3.6 % of GDP |
166 |  Ghana | 3.6 % of GDP |
167 |  Oman | 3.6 % of GDP |
168 |  Sri Lanka | 3.5 % of GDP |
169 |  Cook Islands | 3.4 % of GDP |
170 |  Gabon | 3.4 % of GDP |
171 |  Seychelles | 3.4 % of GDP |
172 |  Angola | 3.3 % of GDP |
173 |  Eritrea | 3.3 % of GDP |
174 |  Nauru | 3.3 % of GDP |
175 |  Syrian Arab Republic | 3.3 % of GDP |
176 |  Kuwait | 3 % of GDP |
177 |  Madagascar | 3 % of GDP |
178 |  Bangladesh | 2.8 % of GDP |
179 |  Indonesia | 2.8 % of GDP |
180 |  South Sudan | 2.7 % of GDP |
181 |  Brunei Darussalam | 2.6 % of GDP |
182 |  Pakistan | 2.6 % of GDP |
183 |  Myanmar | 2.3 % of GDP |
184 |  Qatar | 2.2 % of GDP |
185 |  Turkmenistan | 2.1 % of GDP |
186 |  Laos | 1.9 % of GDP |
187 |  Timor-Leste | 1.5 % of GDP |
Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.
- #187Timor-Leste
- #186Laos
- #185Turkmenistan
- #184Qatar
- #183Myanmar
- #182Pakistan
- #181Brunei Darussalam
- #180South Sudan
- #179Indonesia
- #178Bangladesh
Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.
Analysis & Context
In 2016, the United States led the world in Health Expenditure (% of GDP) at 17.1%, with a global range from 1.5% in Timor-Leste to the U.S. peak. The global average for health expenditure was 6.68%, providing a benchmark for understanding international investment in healthcare. This metric offers insights into how nations prioritize health within their economic frameworks.
Economic Factors Influencing Health Expenditure
The disparity in Health Expenditure (% of GDP) across countries often reflects their economic status and priorities. High-income countries typically allocate a larger share of GDP to healthcare, as seen with the United States at 17.1%, Sweden at 11.9%, and Switzerland at 11.7%. These countries have robust healthcare systems funded by substantial public and private contributions, driven by policies focused on comprehensive healthcare coverage and advanced medical technology.
Conversely, countries with lower health expenditure percentages, such as Timor-Leste at 1.5% and Laos at 1.9%, often face budgetary constraints and competing priorities in other sectors like infrastructure and education. These nations may have limited public healthcare systems, relying more on out-of-pocket expenses by individuals, which can restrict access to necessary health services.
Policy and Demographic Drivers
Government policy and demographics significantly impact Health Expenditure (% of GDP). Nations with universal healthcare systems, such as France at 11.5% and Germany at 11.3%, often report higher expenditures due to comprehensive coverage for their populations. These systems aim to provide equitable access to healthcare, resulting in significant public spending.
Demographic factors, such as an aging population, also influence expenditure. Countries with older populations, like Sweden and Germany, face increased healthcare demands, leading to higher spending. In contrast, younger populations in countries like Bangladesh at 2.8% may face different healthcare priorities, focusing on maternal and child health rather than chronic diseases prevalent in older demographics.
Significant Year-over-Year Changes
Examining the year-over-year changes in Health Expenditure (% of GDP) reveals dynamic shifts in national health priorities. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines experienced the largest increase, with a 3.40% rise, reflecting a 65.4% increase in health investment. Similarly, Malawi and Maldives recorded notable increases of 3.10% and 2.90% respectively, indicating a strategic shift towards bolstering healthcare infrastructure and services.
Conversely, Rwanda saw a significant decrease of 3.60%, equating to a 32.4% reduction. This decline may be attributed to policy shifts or economic challenges impacting health budgets. Togo and Tuvalu also reported substantial decreases of 3.40% and 3.20%, respectively, potentially reflecting reallocations of resources to other urgent national priorities.
Global Health Expenditure Patterns
Overall, the data from 2016 showcases a diverse landscape of health expenditure priorities. High investment in healthcare, as seen in the United States and European nations, underscores the importance these countries place on health as a pillar of public welfare and economic stability. In contrast, the lower expenditure in countries like Timor-Leste and Laos highlights the challenges faced by emerging economies in balancing health with other development needs.
The trends and shifts in Health Expenditure (% of GDP) offer a window into the strategic decisions made by nations worldwide, reflecting their economic capabilities, policy decisions, and demographic demands. As global health challenges evolve, these expenditure patterns will continue to play a critical role in shaping the health outcomes of populations around the world.
Data Source
CIA World Factbook
The World Factbook, also known as the CIA World Factbook, was a reference resource produced by the US Central Intelligence Agency between 1962 and 2026 with almanac-style information about the countries of the world. From 1971 it was not classified, and available to the public in print since 1975, initially by the CIA, and later the Government Publishing Office.
Visit Data SourceHistorical Data by Year
Explore Health Expenditure (% of GDP) data across different years. Compare trends and see how statistics have changed over time.