Current health expenditure per capita in South Africa
South Africa: Current health expenditure per capita was 536.59 current US$ in 2023. ▲ Rising
Current health expenditure per capita in South Africa, 2000–2023
Source: Global Health Expenditure Database, updated December 12th, 2025, World Health Organization (WHO). Measured in current US$.
Analysis
The most recent figure for current health expenditure per capita in South Africa is 536.59 current US$, measured in 2023.
That represents a change of down 5.9% on the previous year and down 9.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, current health expenditure per capita in South Africa peaked at 686.87 current US$ in 2011 and was at its lowest, 179.51 current US$, in 2002.
South Africa ranks 85th of 193 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 24 years of available data.
Current health expenditure per capita in South Africa, year by year
| Year | current US$ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 236.08 current US$ | — |
| 2001 | 202.81 current US$ | -14.1% |
| 2002 | 179.51 current US$ | -11.5% |
| 2003 | 286.02 current US$ | +59.3% |
| 2004 | 362.29 current US$ | +26.7% |
| 2005 | 400.54 current US$ | +10.6% |
| 2006 | 417.91 current US$ | +4.3% |
| 2007 | 455.18 current US$ | +8.9% |
| 2008 | 442.11 current US$ | -2.9% |
| 2009 | 487.63 current US$ | +10.3% |
| 2010 | 621.42 current US$ | +27.4% |
| 2011 | 686.87 current US$ | +10.5% |
| 2012 | 646.5 current US$ | -5.9% |
| 2013 | 593.8 current US$ | -8.2% |
| 2014 | 539.31 current US$ | -9.2% |
| 2015 | 491.91 current US$ | -8.8% |
| 2016 | 456.57 current US$ | -7.2% |
| 2017 | 527.52 current US$ | +15.5% |
| 2018 | 558.8 current US$ | +5.9% |
| 2019 | 538.8 current US$ | -3.6% |
| 2020 | 503.47 current US$ | -6.6% |
| 2021 | 592.95 current US$ | +17.8% |
| 2022 | 570.48 current US$ | -3.8% |
| 2023 | 536.59 current US$ | -5.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 347.01 current US$ | 179.51 current US$ | 487.63 current US$ | 10 |
| 2010s | 566.15 current US$ | 456.57 current US$ | 686.87 current US$ | 10 |
| 2020s | 550.87 current US$ | 503.47 current US$ | 592.95 current US$ | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More health data for South Africa
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -2.2 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.1386 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,152 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 3,333 deaths (2100)
- Population ages 80 and above, female, per capita 0.0081 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 80 and above, male, annual growth rate 2.35 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 80 and above, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 80 and above, male, per capita 0.0035 units per person (2025)
- Pertussis - number of reported cases, gaps filled 5,666 (2025)
- Pertussis - number of reported cases, per capita 0.0001 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is current health expenditure per capita in South Africa?
- Current health expenditure per capita in South Africa was 536.59 current US$ in 2023, according to Global Health Expenditure Database, updated December 12th, 2025, World Health Organization (WHO).
- What is the highest current health expenditure per capita recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 686.87 current US$ in 2011.
- What is the lowest current health expenditure per capita recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 179.51 current US$ in 2002.
- How does South Africa rank for current health expenditure per capita?
- South Africa ranks 85th out of 193 countries with data for 2023.
- Is current health expenditure per capita rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 9.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Global Health Expenditure Database, updated December 12th, 2025, World Health Organization (WHO), published as part of Current health expenditure per capita (current US$). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Current expenditures on health per capita in current US dollars. Estimates of current health expenditures include healthcare goods and services consumed during each year.