Risk of catastrophic expenditure for surgical care in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa: Risk of catastrophic expenditure for surgical care was 48.1% in 2018. ▼ Falling
Risk of catastrophic expenditure for surgical care in Sub-Saharan Africa, 2009–2018
Source: Program in Global Surgery and Social Change (PGSSC), Harvard Medical School. Measured in % of people at risk.
Analysis
Sub-Saharan Africa recorded 48.1% for risk of catastrophic expenditure for surgical care in 2018.
That represents a change of up 2.8% on the previous year and down 13.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, risk of catastrophic expenditure for surgical care in Sub-Saharan Africa peaked at 55.6% in 2009 and was at its lowest, 46.9%, in 2016.
Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 7th of 39 groups on this measure, in the top quarter.
Risk of catastrophic expenditure for surgical care in Sub-Saharan Africa, year by year
| Year | % of people at risk | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 55.6% | — |
| 2010 | 53.8% | -3.2% |
| 2014 | 49.9% | -7.1% |
| 2016 | 46.9% | -6.2% |
| 2018 | 48.1% | +2.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 55.6% | 55.6% | 55.6% | 1 |
| 2010s | 49.7% | 46.9% | 53.8% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Sub-Saharan Africa
- 4 Latvia 89.9% compare
- 5 Central African Republic 89.7%
- 6 Syria 87.5% compare
- 7 Guinea-Bissau 86.5% compare
- 8 Niger 86.3% compare
- 9 Democratic Republic of Congo 85.0% compare
- 10 Sierra Leone 84.3% compare
More health data for Sub-Saharan Africa
- Population ages 15-64, male, annual growth rate 3.04 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 0-14, total, per unit of GDP 0.0002 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 0-14, total, per capita 0.4038 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 15-64, female, annual growth rate 2.96 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 15-64, female, per unit of GDP 0.0002 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 15-64, female, per capita 0.2837 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 15-64, male, per unit of GDP 0.0002 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 15-64, total, annual growth rate 3 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 15-64, male, per capita 0.2801 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 45-49, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is risk of catastrophic expenditure for surgical care in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Risk of catastrophic expenditure for surgical care in Sub-Saharan Africa was 48.1% in 2018, according to Program in Global Surgery and Social Change (PGSSC), Harvard Medical School.
- What is the highest risk of catastrophic expenditure for surgical care recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 55.6% in 2009.
- What is the lowest risk of catastrophic expenditure for surgical care recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 46.9% in 2016.
- How does Sub-Saharan Africa rank for risk of catastrophic expenditure for surgical care?
- Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 7th out of 39 groups with data for 2018.
- Is risk of catastrophic expenditure for surgical care rising or falling in Sub-Saharan Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 13.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Sub-Saharan Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Program in Global Surgery and Social Change (PGSSC), Harvard Medical School, published as part of Risk of catastrophic expenditure for surgical care (% of people at risk). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The proportion of population at risk of catastrophic expenditure when surgical care is required. Catastrophic expenditure is defined as direct out of pocket payments for surgical and anaesthesia care exceeding 10% of total income.