Out-of-pocket expenditure in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Out-of-pocket expenditure was 14.6% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Out-of-pocket expenditure in United Kingdom, 2000–2024
Source: Global Health Expenditure Database, updated December 12th, 2025, World Health Organization (WHO). Measured in % of current health expenditure.
Analysis
In 2024, out-of-pocket expenditure in United Kingdom stood at 14.6%.
That represents a change of down 0.5% on the previous year and down 7.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, out-of-pocket expenditure in United Kingdom peaked at 18.2% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 12.4%, in 2006.
That places United Kingdom 145th out of 193 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 25 years of available data.
Out-of-pocket expenditure in United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | % of current health expenditure | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 18.2% | — |
| 2001 | 18.0% | -0.9% |
| 2002 | 17.4% | -3.7% |
| 2003 | 16.2% | -7.1% |
| 2004 | 14.7% | -9.0% |
| 2005 | 13.4% | -8.6% |
| 2006 | 12.4% | -8.0% |
| 2007 | 14.4% | +16.8% |
| 2008 | 13.5% | -6.5% |
| 2009 | 12.4% | -8.1% |
| 2010 | 13.2% | +6.3% |
| 2011 | 13.3% | +1.3% |
| 2012 | 14.2% | +6.1% |
| 2013 | 15.8% | +11.3% |
| 2014 | 15.7% | -0.1% |
| 2015 | 15.9% | +0.8% |
| 2016 | 15.7% | -1.2% |
| 2017 | 15.8% | +0.9% |
| 2018 | 16.2% | +2.2% |
| 2019 | 16.0% | -0.9% |
| 2020 | 12.4% | -22.6% |
| 2021 | 13.0% | +4.9% |
| 2022 | 14.4% | +10.4% |
| 2023 | 14.6% | +1.7% |
| 2024 | 14.6% | -0.5% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 14.6% is below the median for high income countries, which is 16.8%, 87% of the median. (64 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 14.6% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 21.8%, 67% of the median. (52 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 15.1% | 12.4% | 18.2% | 10 |
| 2010s | 15.2% | 13.2% | 16.2% | 10 |
| 2020s | 13.8% | 12.4% | 14.6% | 5 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
More health data for United Kingdom
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.71 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.0265 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,134 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 461 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -0.7128 % 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 0.0247 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -0.7724 % 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 United Kingdom?
- Out-of-pocket expenditure in United Kingdom was 14.6% 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 United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 18.2% in 2000.
- What is the lowest out-of-pocket expenditure recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 12.4% in 2006.
- How does United Kingdom rank for out-of-pocket expenditure?
- United Kingdom ranks 145th out of 193 countries with data for 2024.
- Is out-of-pocket expenditure rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is down 7.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this United Kingdom 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.