Share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare in China
China: Share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare was 32.2% in 2023. ▼ Falling
Share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare in China, 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 China stood at 32.2%.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.7% on the previous year and down 15.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare in China peaked at 64.2% in 2001 and was at its lowest, 31.6%, in 2022.
China ranks 76th of 193 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 24 years of available data.
Share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare in China, year by year
| Year | % of current health expenditure | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 60.1% | — |
| 2001 | 64.2% | +6.8% |
| 2002 | 62.9% | -2.1% |
| 2003 | 60.7% | -3.4% |
| 2004 | 58.8% | -3.2% |
| 2005 | 57.7% | -1.8% |
| 2006 | 56.0% | -2.9% |
| 2007 | 51.3% | -8.4% |
| 2008 | 47.4% | -7.6% |
| 2009 | 43.5% | -8.3% |
| 2010 | 40.8% | -6.1% |
| 2011 | 40.3% | -1.3% |
| 2012 | 39.2% | -2.6% |
| 2013 | 38.2% | -2.7% |
| 2014 | 36.6% | -4.2% |
| 2015 | 35.1% | -4.0% |
| 2016 | 35.9% | +2.3% |
| 2017 | 36.1% | +0.4% |
| 2018 | 35.8% | -0.8% |
| 2019 | 35.2% | -1.5% |
| 2020 | 34.8% | -1.2% |
| 2021 | 34.4% | -1.1% |
| 2022 | 31.6% | -8.0% |
| 2023 | 32.2% | +1.7% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 32.2% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 30.1%, 1.1× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- China's 32.2% is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 12.2%, 2.6× the median. (29 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 56.2% | 43.5% | 64.2% | 10 |
| 2010s | 37.3% | 35.1% | 40.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 33.2% | 31.6% | 34.8% | 4 |
Countries ranked near China
More health data for China
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.15 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.0985 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 2,029 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 4,642 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 10 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -8.22 % 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 0.0159 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -8.73 % 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 China?
- Share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare in China was 32.2% 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 China?
- The highest recorded value was 64.2% in 2001.
- What is the lowest share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 31.6% in 2022.
- How does China rank for share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare?
- China ranks 76th out of 193 countries with data for 2023.
- Is share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 15.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this China 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.