Share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare in Belgium
Belgium: Share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare was 21.5% in 2023. ▬ Flat
Share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare in Belgium, 2000–2023
Source: Global Health Expenditure Database, WHO, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of current health expenditure.
Analysis
In 2023, share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare in Belgium stood at 21.5%.
The figure is up 0.5% on the previous year and up 4.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare in Belgium peaked at 21.7% in 2009 and was at its lowest, 18.9%, in 2016.
That places Belgium 122nd out of 193 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
Share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare in Belgium, year by year
| Year | % of current health expenditure | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 20.2% | — |
| 2001 | 19.6% | -3.2% |
| 2002 | 20.8% | +6.5% |
| 2003 | 21.0% | +0.5% |
| 2004 | 20.2% | -3.8% |
| 2005 | 20.3% | +0.4% |
| 2006 | 20.2% | -0.0% |
| 2007 | 20.6% | +1.8% |
| 2008 | 19.9% | -3.2% |
| 2009 | 21.7% | +8.6% |
| 2010 | 21.4% | -1.3% |
| 2011 | 20.6% | -3.8% |
| 2012 | 20.4% | -0.7% |
| 2013 | 20.6% | +0.6% |
| 2014 | 20.0% | -2.6% |
| 2015 | 19.4% | -2.8% |
| 2016 | 18.9% | -2.6% |
| 2017 | 19.1% | +1.0% |
| 2018 | 19.4% | +1.3% |
| 2019 | 20.6% | +6.3% |
| 2020 | 19.3% | -6.3% |
| 2021 | 20.3% | +5.4% |
| 2022 | 21.4% | +5.2% |
| 2023 | 21.5% | +0.5% |
Belgium compared with similar countries
- Belgium's 21.5% is above the median for high income countries, which is 16.8%, 1.3× the median. (64 countries reporting)
- Belgium's 21.5% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 21.8%, 99% of the median. (52 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 20.4% | 19.6% | 21.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 20.0% | 18.9% | 21.4% | 10 |
| 2020s | 20.6% | 19.3% | 21.5% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Belgium
More health data for Belgium
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -3.28 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.2923 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,160 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 59 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -2.11 % 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 0.0229 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -1.96 % 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 share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare in Belgium?
- Share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare in Belgium was 21.5% in 2023, according to Global Health Expenditure Database, WHO, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare recorded in Belgium?
- The highest recorded value was 21.7% in 2009.
- What is the lowest share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare recorded in Belgium?
- The lowest recorded value was 18.9% in 2016.
- How does Belgium rank for share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare?
- Belgium ranks 122nd out of 193 countries with data for 2023.
- Is share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare rising or falling in Belgium?
- Over the last ten years it is up 4.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Belgium data come from?
- The figures come from Global Health Expenditure Database, WHO, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Out-of-pocket spending on healthcare as percent of total current healthcare expenditure.