Out-of-pocket expenditure in Ireland
Ireland: Out-of-pocket expenditure was 10.6% in 2024. ▬ Flat
Out-of-pocket expenditure in Ireland, 2000–2024
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 out-of-pocket expenditure in Ireland is 10.6%, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of down 6.1% on the previous year and down 24.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, out-of-pocket expenditure in Ireland peaked at 14.0% in 2014 and was at its lowest, 10.5%, in 2002.
That places Ireland 166th out of 193 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Out-of-pocket expenditure in Ireland, year by year
| Year | % of current health expenditure | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 12.1% | — |
| 2001 | 10.6% | -12.1% |
| 2002 | 10.5% | -1.7% |
| 2003 | 13.1% | +25.6% |
| 2004 | 12.2% | -7.1% |
| 2005 | 13.6% | +10.9% |
| 2006 | 13.9% | +2.8% |
| 2007 | 11.6% | -16.9% |
| 2008 | 11.9% | +2.5% |
| 2009 | 12.7% | +7.1% |
| 2010 | 13.8% | +8.6% |
| 2011 | 13.6% | -1.5% |
| 2012 | 13.3% | -1.9% |
| 2013 | 13.8% | +3.3% |
| 2014 | 14.0% | +1.6% |
| 2015 | 13.5% | -3.4% |
| 2016 | 13.5% | -0.3% |
| 2017 | 13.1% | -2.7% |
| 2018 | 12.7% | -3.4% |
| 2019 | 12.7% | -0.0% |
| 2020 | 11.4% | -9.6% |
| 2021 | 11.5% | +0.8% |
| 2022 | 11.6% | +0.2% |
| 2023 | 11.3% | -2.2% |
| 2024 | 10.6% | -6.1% |
Ireland compared with similar countries
- Ireland's 10.6% is below the median for high income countries, which is 16.8%, 63% of the median. (64 countries reporting)
- Ireland's 10.6% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 21.8%, 49% of the median. (52 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 12.2% | 10.5% | 13.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 13.4% | 12.7% | 14.0% | 10 |
| 2020s | 11.3% | 10.6% | 11.6% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Ireland
More health data for Ireland
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -4.76 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.89 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,122 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 20 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -0.7228 % 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 0.026 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -0.6489 % 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 out-of-pocket expenditure in Ireland?
- Out-of-pocket expenditure in Ireland was 10.6% in 2024, according to Global Health Expenditure Database, updated December 12th, 2025, World Health Organization (WHO).
- What is the highest out-of-pocket expenditure recorded in Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 14.0% in 2014.
- What is the lowest out-of-pocket expenditure recorded in Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 10.5% in 2002.
- How does Ireland rank for out-of-pocket expenditure?
- Ireland ranks 166th out of 193 countries with data for 2024.
- Is out-of-pocket expenditure rising or falling in Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 24.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Ireland 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 (% of current health expenditure). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of out-of-pocket payments of total current health expenditures. Out-of-pocket payments are spending on health directly out-of-pocket by households.