Out-of-pocket expenditure in Malaysia
Malaysia: Out-of-pocket expenditure was 37.1% in 2023. ▬ Flat
Out-of-pocket expenditure in Malaysia, 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 Malaysia is 37.1%, measured in 2023.
That represents a change of down 2.1% on the previous year and up 10.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, out-of-pocket expenditure in Malaysia peaked at 40.7% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 32.1%, in 2021.
That places Malaysia 66th out of 193 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
Out-of-pocket expenditure in Malaysia, year by year
| Year | % of current health expenditure | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 40.7% | — |
| 2001 | 35.7% | -12.3% |
| 2002 | 34.6% | -2.9% |
| 2003 | 34.5% | -0.4% |
| 2004 | 36.1% | +4.7% |
| 2005 | 38.0% | +5.4% |
| 2006 | 34.7% | -8.7% |
| 2007 | 35.1% | +1.1% |
| 2008 | 35.5% | +1.2% |
| 2009 | 32.2% | -9.4% |
| 2010 | 34.1% | +6.0% |
| 2011 | 34.0% | -0.3% |
| 2012 | 33.0% | -2.9% |
| 2013 | 33.7% | +1.9% |
| 2014 | 33.0% | -1.9% |
| 2015 | 33.7% | +2.0% |
| 2016 | 35.9% | +6.6% |
| 2017 | 35.9% | -0.0% |
| 2018 | 36.6% | +2.0% |
| 2019 | 36.1% | -1.6% |
| 2020 | 34.2% | -5.0% |
| 2021 | 32.1% | -6.3% |
| 2022 | 37.9% | +18.0% |
| 2023 | 37.1% | -2.1% |
Malaysia compared with similar countries
- Malaysia's 37.1% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 30.1%, 1.2× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- Malaysia's 37.1% is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 12.2%, 3.0× the median. (29 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 35.7% | 32.2% | 40.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 34.6% | 33.0% | 36.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 35.3% | 32.1% | 37.9% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Malaysia
More health data for Malaysia
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -0.9119 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.2888 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,250 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 652 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 18 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -0.7207 % 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 0.0297 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -0.5991 % 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 Malaysia?
- Out-of-pocket expenditure in Malaysia was 37.1% 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 Malaysia?
- The highest recorded value was 40.7% in 2000.
- What is the lowest out-of-pocket expenditure recorded in Malaysia?
- The lowest recorded value was 32.1% in 2021.
- How does Malaysia rank for out-of-pocket expenditure?
- Malaysia ranks 66th out of 193 countries with data for 2023.
- Is out-of-pocket expenditure rising or falling in Malaysia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 10.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Malaysia 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.