Out-of-pocket expenditure per capita in South Africa
South Africa: Out-of-pocket expenditure per capita was 35.91 current US$ in 2023. ▼ Falling
Out-of-pocket 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$.
Analysis
The most recent figure for out-of-pocket expenditure per capita in South Africa is 35.91 current US$, measured in 2023.
The figure is down 6.3% on the previous year and down 20.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, out-of-pocket expenditure per capita in South Africa peaked at 53.24 current US$ in 2011 and was at its lowest, 24.34 current US$, in 2002.
South Africa ranks 140th of 193 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 24 years of available data.
Out-of-pocket expenditure per capita in South Africa, year by year
| Year | current US$ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 34.14 current US$ | — |
| 2001 | 28.65 current US$ | -16.1% |
| 2002 | 24.34 current US$ | -15.0% |
| 2003 | 35.26 current US$ | +44.9% |
| 2004 | 42.92 current US$ | +21.7% |
| 2005 | 45.31 current US$ | +5.6% |
| 2006 | 44.23 current US$ | -2.4% |
| 2007 | 44.17 current US$ | -0.1% |
| 2008 | 39.09 current US$ | -11.5% |
| 2009 | 39.55 current US$ | +1.2% |
| 2010 | 49.68 current US$ | +25.6% |
| 2011 | 53.24 current US$ | +7.2% |
| 2012 | 49.92 current US$ | -6.2% |
| 2013 | 45.19 current US$ | -9.5% |
| 2014 | 30.55 current US$ | -32.4% |
| 2015 | 28.22 current US$ | -7.6% |
| 2016 | 26.41 current US$ | -6.4% |
| 2017 | 30.78 current US$ | +16.5% |
| 2018 | 32.67 current US$ | +6.1% |
| 2019 | 30.93 current US$ | -5.3% |
| 2020 | 32.37 current US$ | +4.6% |
| 2021 | 39.19 current US$ | +21.1% |
| 2022 | 38.33 current US$ | -2.2% |
| 2023 | 35.91 current US$ | -6.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 37.76 current US$ | 24.34 current US$ | 45.31 current US$ | 10 |
| 2010s | 37.76 current US$ | 26.41 current US$ | 53.24 current US$ | 10 |
| 2020s | 36.45 current US$ | 32.37 current US$ | 39.19 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 30-34, female, annual growth rate -0.1331 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 30-34, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 30-34, female, per capita 0.0446 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 30-34, male, annual growth rate -0.6047 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 30-34, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 30-34, male, per capita 0.0435 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is out-of-pocket expenditure per capita in South Africa?
- Out-of-pocket expenditure per capita in South Africa was 35.91 current US$ in 2023, according to Global Health Expenditure Database, updated December 12th, 2025, World Health Organization (WHO).
- What is the highest out-of-pocket expenditure per capita recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 53.24 current US$ in 2011.
- What is the lowest out-of-pocket expenditure per capita recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 24.34 current US$ in 2002.
- How does South Africa rank for out-of-pocket expenditure per capita?
- South Africa ranks 140th out of 193 countries with data for 2023.
- Is out-of-pocket expenditure per capita rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 20.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- 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 Out-of-pocket expenditure per capita (current US$). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Health expenditure through out-of-pocket payments per capita in USD. Out of pocket payments are spending on health directly out of pocket by households in each country.