Domestic private health expenditure in Zambia
Zambia: Domestic private health expenditure was 11.4% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Domestic private health expenditure in Zambia, 2000–2023
Source: Global Health Expenditure Database, updated December 12th, 2025, World Health Organization (WHO). Measured in % of current health expenditure.
Analysis
The most recent figure for domestic private health expenditure in Zambia is 11.4%, measured in 2023.
The figure is up 12.5% on the previous year and down 25.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, domestic private health expenditure in Zambia peaked at 57.9% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 8.0%, in 2021.
Zambia ranks 185th of 193 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Domestic private health expenditure in Zambia, year by year
| Year | % of current health expenditure | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 57.9% | — |
| 2001 | 49.5% | -14.6% |
| 2002 | 36.8% | -25.6% |
| 2003 | 37.8% | +2.6% |
| 2004 | 41.2% | +9.2% |
| 2005 | 34.6% | -16.1% |
| 2006 | 35.9% | +3.8% |
| 2007 | 33.6% | -6.5% |
| 2008 | 26.6% | -20.7% |
| 2009 | 18.4% | -30.9% |
| 2010 | 17.0% | -7.4% |
| 2011 | 14.3% | -16.2% |
| 2012 | 15.5% | +8.4% |
| 2013 | 15.2% | -1.6% |
| 2014 | 18.0% | +18.3% |
| 2015 | 16.4% | -8.8% |
| 2016 | 19.1% | +16.3% |
| 2017 | 15.9% | -16.5% |
| 2018 | 12.1% | -23.9% |
| 2019 | 8.6% | -29.3% |
| 2020 | 10.0% | +16.8% |
| 2021 | 8.0% | -19.9% |
| 2022 | 10.1% | +26.1% |
| 2023 | 11.4% | +12.5% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 11.4% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 46.9%, 24% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 11.4% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 45.0%, 25% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 37.2% | 18.4% | 57.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 15.2% | 8.6% | 19.1% | 10 |
| 2020s | 9.9% | 8.0% | 11.4% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More health data for Zambia
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.09 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.7971 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 809.3 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 8,894 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 2 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 1.68 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0743 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 1.69 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is domestic private health expenditure in Zambia?
- Domestic private health expenditure in Zambia was 11.4% in 2023, according to Global Health Expenditure Database, updated December 12th, 2025, World Health Organization (WHO).
- What is the highest domestic private health expenditure recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 57.9% in 2000.
- What is the lowest domestic private health expenditure recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.0% in 2021.
- How does Zambia rank for domestic private health expenditure?
- Zambia ranks 185th out of 193 countries with data for 2023.
- Is domestic private health expenditure rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 25.2%. 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, updated December 12th, 2025, World Health Organization (WHO), published as part of Domestic private health expenditure (% of current health expenditure). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of current health expenditures funded from domestic private sources. Domestic private sources include funds from households, corporations and non-profit organizations. Such expenditures can be either prepaid to voluntary health insurance or paid directly to healthcare providers.