Out-of-pocket expenditure in Zambia
Zambia: Out-of-pocket expenditure was 10.3% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Out-of-pocket expenditure in Zambia, 2000–2023
Source: Global Health Expenditure Database, updated December 12th, 2025, World Health Organization (WHO). Measured in % of current health expenditure.
Analysis
In 2023, out-of-pocket expenditure in Zambia stood at 10.3%.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 15.4% on the previous year and down 12.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, out-of-pocket expenditure in Zambia peaked at 45.5% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 7.1%, in 2021.
Zambia ranks 168th of 193 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Out-of-pocket expenditure in Zambia, year by year
| Year | % of current health expenditure | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 45.5% | — |
| 2001 | 38.8% | -14.7% |
| 2002 | 28.4% | -26.7% |
| 2003 | 28.4% | -0.1% |
| 2004 | 31.1% | +9.3% |
| 2005 | 26.1% | -16.0% |
| 2006 | 25.7% | -1.5% |
| 2007 | 24.8% | -3.4% |
| 2008 | 20.4% | -17.8% |
| 2009 | 14.7% | -28.0% |
| 2010 | 14.2% | -3.1% |
| 2011 | 12.2% | -14.3% |
| 2012 | 12.6% | +3.6% |
| 2013 | 11.7% | -7.3% |
| 2014 | 13.8% | +18.0% |
| 2015 | 12.3% | -11.3% |
| 2016 | 12.1% | -0.9% |
| 2017 | 10.7% | -12.2% |
| 2018 | 10.3% | -3.6% |
| 2019 | 7.3% | -29.4% |
| 2020 | 8.1% | +11.9% |
| 2021 | 7.1% | -12.8% |
| 2022 | 8.9% | +26.0% |
| 2023 | 10.3% | +15.4% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 10.3% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 37.6%, 27% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 10.3% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 32.4%, 32% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 28.4% | 14.7% | 45.5% | 10 |
| 2010s | 11.7% | 7.3% | 14.2% | 10 |
| 2020s | 8.6% | 7.1% | 10.3% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More health data for Zambia
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.09 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.7971 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 809.3 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 8,894 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 2 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 1.68 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0743 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 1.69 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is out-of-pocket expenditure in Zambia?
- Out-of-pocket expenditure in Zambia was 10.3% 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 Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 45.5% in 2000.
- What is the lowest out-of-pocket expenditure recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 7.1% in 2021.
- How does Zambia rank for out-of-pocket expenditure?
- Zambia ranks 168th out of 193 countries with data for 2023.
- Is out-of-pocket expenditure rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia 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.