Share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare vs. GDP per capita in Zambia
Zambia: Share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare vs. GDP per capita was 10.3% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare vs. GDP per capita in Zambia, 2000–2023
Source: Global Health Expenditure Database, WHO, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of current health expenditure.
Analysis
In 2023, share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare vs. gdp per capita in Zambia stood at 10.3%.
The figure is up 15.4% on the previous year and down 12.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare vs. gdp per capita in Zambia peaked at 45.5% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 7.1%, in 2021.
That places Zambia 168th out of 193 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare vs. GDP per capita in Zambia, year by year
| Year | % of current health expenditure | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 45.5% | — |
| 2001 | 38.8% | -14.7% |
| 2002 | 28.4% | -26.7% |
| 2003 | 28.4% | -0.1% |
| 2004 | 31.1% | +9.3% |
| 2005 | 26.1% | -16.0% |
| 2006 | 25.7% | -1.5% |
| 2007 | 24.8% | -3.4% |
| 2008 | 20.4% | -17.8% |
| 2009 | 14.7% | -28.0% |
| 2010 | 14.2% | -3.1% |
| 2011 | 12.2% | -14.3% |
| 2012 | 12.6% | +3.6% |
| 2013 | 11.7% | -7.3% |
| 2014 | 13.8% | +18.0% |
| 2015 | 12.3% | -11.3% |
| 2016 | 12.1% | -0.9% |
| 2017 | 10.7% | -12.2% |
| 2018 | 10.3% | -3.6% |
| 2019 | 7.3% | -29.4% |
| 2020 | 8.1% | +11.9% |
| 2021 | 7.1% | -12.8% |
| 2022 | 8.9% | +26.0% |
| 2023 | 10.3% | +15.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 28.4% | 14.7% | 45.5% | 10 |
| 2010s | 11.7% | 7.3% | 14.2% | 10 |
| 2020s | 8.6% | 7.1% | 10.3% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More economy & growth data for Zambia
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 2.31 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 4.92 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps 310.54 million BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0123 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 14.57 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled 2.36 billion BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual 268.02 % change on previous year (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0932 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 110.69 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 28.89 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare vs. gdp per capita in Zambia?
- Share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare vs. gdp per capita in Zambia was 10.3% in 2023, according to Global Health Expenditure Database, WHO, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare vs. gdp per capita recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 45.5% in 2000.
- What is the lowest share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare vs. gdp per capita recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 7.1% in 2021.
- How does Zambia rank for share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare vs. gdp per capita?
- Zambia ranks 168th out of 193 countries with data for 2023.
- Is share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare vs. gdp per capita rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from Global Health Expenditure Database, WHO, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare vs. GDP per capita. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Out-of-pocket spending on healthcare as percent of total current healthcare expenditure vs. GDP per capita, adjusted for inflation and differences in living costs between countries.