The 2024 Global Health Expenditure Report by the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals a decline in average per capita government spending on health across all income groups in 2022, following a surge during the initial years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Published alongside the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day campaign observed on December 12, the report, titled Global Spending on Health: Emerging from the Pandemic, focuses on improving financial protection to ensure universal access to healthcare services.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, emphasized the importance of financial protection in healthcare. “Universal Health Coverage Day reminds us that health for all means ensuring everyone can access essential health services without financial hardship,” he said.
The Cost of Healthcare: Who Bears the Burden?
The WHO report highlights a significant challenge: out-of-pocket expenses remain the primary source of healthcare financing in 30 low- and lower-middle-income countries. In 20 of these countries, patients directly bear over half of the total health spending—a cycle perpetuating poverty and vulnerability.
Even in high-income countries, out-of-pocket payments lead to financial strain, with recent data indicating that in over one-third of these nations, more than 20% of healthcare spending comes from personal pockets.
The report underscores the urgent need for action. WHO calls on global leaders to prioritize UHC, aiming to eliminate poverty due to healthcare costs by 2030. Proposed strategies include removing user charges for the most vulnerable, enacting protective legislation, and using public funding mechanisms to offer comprehensive, affordable health services to entire populations.
Lessons from the Pandemic: Why Public Investment Matters
During the COVID-19 crisis, public funding enabled rapid health system responses, particularly in preventive and population-based public health interventions. This support saved lives and protected millions, showcasing the critical role of government budgets in mitigating health emergencies.
Now, as countries recover, they must navigate tough economic conditions while bolstering health systems to prepare for future threats. Governments face the dual challenge of ensuring immediate health access for their populations and building resilience for tomorrow’s crises.
25 Years of Tracking Global Health Spending
For a quarter-century, WHO’s Health Expenditure Tracking Programme has been pivotal in collecting and reporting reliable data on global health spending. Achievements include the Global Health Expenditure Database, which tracks spending in over 190 countries, and the Global Health Expenditure Report, published annually since 2017.
These resources enhance policymaking by fostering transparency and accountability, ensuring that investments in healthcare are evidence-driven and impactful.
Advancing UHC Through Global Collaboration
To mark UHC Day, representatives from over 125 countries are gathering in Lyon, France, from December 11–13, to evaluate progress and set priorities for the UHC Partnership from 2025–2027. This initiative, funded by key global partners such as the European Union, Japan, and Canada, supports countries in reshaping health systems to promote UHC and health security.
With financial protection at the forefront of the UHC Day 2024 agenda, WHO urges nations to prioritize public funding for essential healthcare services, ensuring no one is left behind. The collective vision: universal health coverage for all by 2030.
