Share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare in Zambia
Zambia: Share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare was 10.3% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare in Zambia, 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
Zambia recorded 10.3% for share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 15.4% on the previous year and down 12.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare in Zambia peaked at 45.5% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 7.1%, in 2021.
That places Zambia 168th out of 193 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare 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 share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare in Zambia?
- Share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare in Zambia was 10.3% 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 Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 45.5% in 2000.
- What is the lowest share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 7.1% in 2021.
- How does Zambia rank for share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare?
- Zambia ranks 168th out of 193 countries with data for 2023.
- Is share of out-of-pocket spending on healthcare 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, 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.