External health expenditure in South Africa
South Africa: External health expenditure was 2.1% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
External health expenditure in South Africa, 2000–2023
Source: Global Health Expenditure Database, updated December 12th, 2025, World Health Organization (WHO). Measured in % of current health expenditure.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 2.1% for external health expenditure in 2023.
That represents a change of up 8.2% on the previous year and down 69.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, external health expenditure in South Africa peaked at 11.8% in 2005 and was at its lowest, 0.6%, in 2001.
South Africa ranks 89th of 177 countries on this measure, 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 in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % of current health expenditure | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 0.6% | — |
| 2001 | 0.6% | -0.8% |
| 2002 | 0.6% | +0.4% |
| 2003 | 5.5% | +763.8% |
| 2004 | 5.5% | -1.7% |
| 2005 | 11.8% | +116.2% |
| 2006 | 6.4% | -45.5% |
| 2007 | 7.3% | +13.5% |
| 2008 | 8.1% | +10.5% |
| 2009 | 8.1% | +0.4% |
| 2010 | 7.6% | -5.6% |
| 2011 | 7.1% | -7.1% |
| 2012 | 6.6% | -6.5% |
| 2013 | 6.7% | +1.6% |
| 2014 | 1.7% | -74.3% |
| 2015 | 1.7% | -3.4% |
| 2016 | 2.0% | +22.1% |
| 2017 | 1.1% | -46.8% |
| 2018 | 1.1% | +4.5% |
| 2019 | 1.1% | -1.3% |
| 2020 | 1.7% | +54.9% |
| 2021 | 1.4% | -22.1% |
| 2022 | 1.9% | +40.6% |
| 2023 | 2.1% | +8.2% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 2.1% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 1.0%, 2.0× the median. (55 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 2.1% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 20.5%, 10% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where External health expenditure in South Africa changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | +763.8% | 0.6% | 5.5% |
| 2005 | +116.2% | 5.5% | 11.8% |
| 2014 | -74.3% | 6.7% | 1.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 5.5% | 0.6% | 11.8% | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.7% | 1.1% | 7.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.8% | 1.4% | 2.1% | 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)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -0.5504 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.045 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 0.0003 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is external health expenditure in South Africa?
- External health expenditure in South Africa was 2.1% in 2023, according to Global Health Expenditure Database, updated December 12th, 2025, World Health Organization (WHO).
- What is the highest external health expenditure recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 11.8% in 2005.
- What is the lowest external health expenditure recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.6% in 2001.
- How does South Africa rank for external health expenditure?
- South Africa ranks 89th out of 177 countries with data for 2023.
- Is external health expenditure rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 69.5%. 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 (% 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 external sources. External sources compose of direct foreign transfers and foreign transfers distributed by government encompassing all financial inflows into the national health system from outside the country. External sources either flow through the government scheme or are channeled through non-governmental organizations or other schemes.