External health expenditure per capita in South Africa
South Africa: External health expenditure per capita was 11.04 current US$ in 2023. ◆ Volatile
External 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$.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 11.04 current US$ for external health expenditure per capita in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.8% on the previous year and down 72.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, external health expenditure per capita in South Africa peaked at 48.74 current US$ in 2011 and was at its lowest, 1.15 current US$, in 2002.
That places South Africa 67th out of 177 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
External health expenditure per capita in South Africa, year by year
| Year | current US$ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 1.52 current US$ | — |
| 2001 | 1.3 current US$ | -14.8% |
| 2002 | 1.15 current US$ | -11.1% |
| 2003 | 15.86 current US$ | +1276.3% |
| 2004 | 19.75 current US$ | +24.5% |
| 2005 | 47.21 current US$ | +139.1% |
| 2006 | 26.87 current US$ | -43.1% |
| 2007 | 33.22 current US$ | +23.6% |
| 2008 | 35.65 current US$ | +7.3% |
| 2009 | 39.47 current US$ | +10.7% |
| 2010 | 47.49 current US$ | +20.3% |
| 2011 | 48.74 current US$ | +2.6% |
| 2012 | 42.89 current US$ | -12.0% |
| 2013 | 40.03 current US$ | -6.7% |
| 2014 | 9.34 current US$ | -76.7% |
| 2015 | 8.23 current US$ | -11.9% |
| 2016 | 9.33 current US$ | +13.4% |
| 2017 | 5.73 current US$ | -38.6% |
| 2018 | 6.34 current US$ | +10.6% |
| 2019 | 6.04 current US$ | -4.8% |
| 2020 | 8.74 current US$ | +44.7% |
| 2021 | 8.02 current US$ | -8.3% |
| 2022 | 10.84 current US$ | +35.3% |
| 2023 | 11.04 current US$ | +1.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 22.2 current US$ | 1.15 current US$ | 47.21 current US$ | 10 |
| 2010s | 22.42 current US$ | 5.73 current US$ | 48.74 current US$ | 10 |
| 2020s | 9.66 current US$ | 8.02 current US$ | 11.04 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 75-79, female, annual growth rate 7.34 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 75-79, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 75-79, female, per capita 0.0067 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 75-79, male, annual growth rate 8.95 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 75-79, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 75-79, male, per capita 0.0039 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is external health expenditure per capita in South Africa?
- External health expenditure per capita in South Africa was 11.04 current US$ in 2023, according to Global Health Expenditure Database, updated December 12th, 2025, World Health Organization (WHO).
- What is the highest external health expenditure per capita recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 48.74 current US$ in 2011.
- What is the lowest external health expenditure per capita recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.15 current US$ in 2002.
- How does South Africa rank for external health expenditure per capita?
- South Africa ranks 67th out of 177 countries with data for 2023.
- Is external health expenditure per capita rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 72.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- 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 External health expenditure per capita (current US$). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Current external expenditures on health per capita expressed in current US dollars. External sources are composed of direct foreign transfers and foreign transfers distributed by government encompassing all financial inflows into the national health system from outside the country.