Out-of-pocket expenditure in Least developed countries
Least developed countries: Out-of-pocket expenditure was 50.3% in 2023. ▬ Flat
Out-of-pocket expenditure in Least developed countries, 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 out-of-pocket expenditure in Least developed countries is 50.3%, measured in 2023.
That represents a change of up 0.1% on the previous year and up 3.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, out-of-pocket expenditure in Least developed countries peaked at 53.9% in 2002 and was at its lowest, 46.5%, in 2009.
Least developed countries ranks 4th of 47 groups on this measure, in the top 10%.
Out-of-pocket expenditure in Least developed countries, year by year
| Year | % of current health expenditure | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 52.4% | — |
| 2001 | 52.6% | +0.4% |
| 2002 | 53.9% | +2.6% |
| 2003 | 53.4% | -1.0% |
| 2004 | 51.9% | -2.7% |
| 2005 | 50.4% | -2.9% |
| 2006 | 48.4% | -4.1% |
| 2007 | 49.5% | +2.5% |
| 2008 | 48.5% | -2.0% |
| 2009 | 46.5% | -4.3% |
| 2010 | 48.0% | +3.4% |
| 2011 | 47.2% | -1.8% |
| 2012 | 46.8% | -0.8% |
| 2013 | 48.4% | +3.5% |
| 2014 | 48.7% | +0.5% |
| 2015 | 53.0% | +9.0% |
| 2016 | 52.5% | -1.0% |
| 2017 | 52.0% | -1.0% |
| 2018 | 53.0% | +1.9% |
| 2019 | 51.8% | -2.3% |
| 2020 | 51.6% | -0.4% |
| 2021 | 48.3% | -6.3% |
| 2022 | 50.2% | +3.9% |
| 2023 | 50.3% | +0.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 50.8% | 46.5% | 53.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 50.1% | 46.8% | 53.0% | 10 |
| 2020s | 50.1% | 48.3% | 51.6% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Least developed countries
- 1 Armenia 80.5% compare
- 2 Bangladesh 79.3% compare
- 3 Turkmenistan 77.4% compare
- 4 Afghanistan 77.1% compare
- 5 Syrian Arab Republic 72.4% compare
- 6 Nigeria 71.9% compare
- 7 Myanmar 71.1% compare
More health data for Least developed countries
- Population ages 35-39, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 40-44, male, annual growth rate 3.29 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 40-44, female, per capita 0.0255 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 40-44, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 40-44, female, annual growth rate 3.94 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 35-39, male, per capita 0.0286 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 35-39, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 35-39, male, annual growth rate 2.37 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 35-39, female, per capita 0.03 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 30-34, female, annual growth rate 3.32 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is out-of-pocket expenditure in Least developed countries?
- Out-of-pocket expenditure in Least developed countries was 50.3% in 2023, according to Global Health Expenditure Database, updated December 12th, 2025, World Health Organization (WHO).
- What is the highest out-of-pocket expenditure recorded in Least developed countries?
- The highest recorded value was 53.9% in 2002.
- What is the lowest out-of-pocket expenditure recorded in Least developed countries?
- The lowest recorded value was 46.5% in 2009.
- How does Least developed countries rank for out-of-pocket expenditure?
- Least developed countries ranks 4th out of 47 groups with data for 2023.
- Is out-of-pocket expenditure rising or falling in Least developed countries?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Least developed countries 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.