Share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare in Japan
Japan: Share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare was 12.2% in 2023. ▼ Falling
Share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare in Japan, 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
The most recent figure for share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare in Japan is 12.2%, measured in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 9.8% on the previous year and down 3.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare in Japan peaked at 16.9% in 2003 and was at its lowest, 10.8%, in 2021.
Japan ranks 156th of 193 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 24 years of available data.
Share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare in Japan, year by year
| Year | % of current health expenditure | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 15.9% | — |
| 2001 | 15.8% | -0.8% |
| 2002 | 16.0% | +1.2% |
| 2003 | 16.9% | +5.7% |
| 2004 | 16.6% | -1.8% |
| 2005 | 15.7% | -5.5% |
| 2006 | 16.4% | +4.8% |
| 2007 | 15.5% | -5.5% |
| 2008 | 15.2% | -1.8% |
| 2009 | 15.2% | -0.5% |
| 2010 | 14.6% | -3.9% |
| 2011 | 13.1% | -9.9% |
| 2012 | 13.0% | -1.1% |
| 2013 | 12.7% | -2.1% |
| 2014 | 12.9% | +1.3% |
| 2015 | 12.9% | +0.6% |
| 2016 | 12.9% | -0.7% |
| 2017 | 12.7% | -1.6% |
| 2018 | 13.0% | +2.7% |
| 2019 | 12.9% | -0.7% |
| 2020 | 11.6% | -10.4% |
| 2021 | 10.8% | -6.4% |
| 2022 | 11.1% | +3.0% |
| 2023 | 12.2% | +9.8% |
Japan compared with similar countries
- Japan's 12.2% is below the median for high income countries, which is 16.8%, 73% of the median. (64 countries reporting)
- Japan's 12.2% is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 12.2%, 1.0× the median. (29 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 15.9% | 15.2% | 16.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 13.1% | 12.7% | 14.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 11.4% | 10.8% | 12.2% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Japan
- 153 Lesotho 13.2% compare
- 154 San Marino 13.1% compare
- 155 New Zealand 12.7% compare
- 157 Palau 12.1% compare
- 158 Malawi 12.0% compare
- 159 Netherlands 11.8% compare
More health data for Japan
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -2.73 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.2774 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,294 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 178 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -2.22 % 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 0.0155 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -2.36 % 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 Japan?
- Share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare in Japan was 12.2% 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 Japan?
- The highest recorded value was 16.9% in 2003.
- What is the lowest share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare recorded in Japan?
- The lowest recorded value was 10.8% in 2021.
- How does Japan rank for share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare?
- Japan ranks 156th out of 193 countries with data for 2023.
- Is share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare rising or falling in Japan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 3.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Japan 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.