Public spending on healthcare as percent of total healthcare spending in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Public spending on healthcare as percent of total healthcare spending was 81.8% in 2023. ▬ Flat
Public spending on healthcare as percent of total healthcare spending in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 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, public spending on healthcare as percent of total healthcare spending in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland stood at 81.8%.
That represents a change of down 0.4% on the previous year and up 2.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, public spending on healthcare as percent of total healthcare spending in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland peaked at 84.1% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 75.8%, in 2000.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 17th of 193 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Public spending on healthcare as percent of total healthcare spending in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, year by year
| Year | % of current health expenditure | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 75.8% | — |
| 2001 | 75.9% | +0.1% |
| 2002 | 76.8% | +1.2% |
| 2003 | 78.3% | +2.0% |
| 2004 | 80.2% | +2.3% |
| 2005 | 81.3% | +1.4% |
| 2006 | 82.4% | +1.4% |
| 2007 | 80.4% | -2.4% |
| 2008 | 81.3% | +1.0% |
| 2009 | 82.7% | +1.8% |
| 2010 | 82.0% | -0.9% |
| 2011 | 81.8% | -0.3% |
| 2012 | 81.0% | -1.0% |
| 2013 | 79.5% | -1.9% |
| 2014 | 79.6% | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 79.5% | -0.0% |
| 2016 | 80.1% | +0.7% |
| 2017 | 79.7% | -0.6% |
| 2018 | 79.4% | -0.3% |
| 2019 | 79.7% | +0.4% |
| 2020 | 84.1% | +5.5% |
| 2021 | 83.7% | -0.4% |
| 2022 | 82.1% | -2.0% |
| 2023 | 81.8% | -0.4% |
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland's 81.8% is above the median for high income countries, which is 73.1%, 1.1× the median. (64 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland's 81.8% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 70.4%, 1.2× the median. (52 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 79.5% | 75.8% | 82.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 80.2% | 79.4% | 82.0% | 10 |
| 2020s | 82.9% | 81.8% | 84.1% | 4 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
More health data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.71 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.0265 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,134 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 461 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -0.7128 % 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 0.0247 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -0.7724 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
All data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland →
Frequently asked questions
- What is public spending on healthcare as percent of total healthcare spending in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- Public spending on healthcare as percent of total healthcare spending in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was 81.8% in 2023, according to Global Health Expenditure Database, WHO, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest public spending on healthcare as percent of total healthcare spending recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 84.1% in 2020.
- What is the lowest public spending on healthcare as percent of total healthcare spending recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 75.8% in 2000.
- How does United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank for public spending on healthcare as percent of total healthcare spending?
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 17th out of 193 countries with data for 2023.
- Is public spending on healthcare as percent of total healthcare spending rising or falling in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 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 Public spending on healthcare as percent of total healthcare spending. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of current health expenditures funded from domestic public sources for health.