Bangladesh Health Spending
Current health expenditure as % of GDP SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS
Bangladesh's health spending was 2.24% in 2025, ranked 187th globally. This represents a 3.2% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2000–2025.
Overview
Bangladesh's health spending stood at 2.24% in 2025, a rise of +0.07% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 2.24% by 2025. Bangladesh ranked 187th globally.
Bangladesh’s health expenditure as a share of GDP has risen modestly over the 25‑year span from 1.77 % in 2001, the all‑time trough, to 2.24 % in 2025, placing the country at rank 187 globally. The upward trajectory peaked at 2.39 % in 2016 before easing slightly, yet the figure remains above the early‑2000s level and reflects a gradual deepening of public investment in health services. Compared with peer nations of similar ranking, Bangladesh’s spending exceeds Brunei Darussalam’s 1.89 % but lags behind the Syrian Arab Republic’s 2.33 % and Sudan’s 2.35 %, suggesting room for alignment with regional peers. The modest increase aligns with broader demographic and epidemiological transitions, but sustaining higher growth will likely require expanded fiscal space and policy reforms aimed at universal coverage. Continued commitment to financing reforms and efficiency gains could accelerate the upward trend and narrow the gap with higher‑spending counterparts.
Data & projection
| Year | Health Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 2.25% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 2.24% | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.24% | +0.07% | #187 |
| 2023 | 2.17% | −0.05% | #2 |
| 2022 | 2.22% | −0.05% | #4 |
| 2021 | 2.27% | +0.08% | #2 |
| 2020 | 2.18% | +0.06% | #2 |
| 2019 | 2.13% | −0.19% | #1 |
| 2018 | 2.32% | −0.05% | #5 |
| 2017 | 2.37% | −0.02% | #4 |
| 2016 | 2.39% | +0.12% | #4 |
| 2015 | 2.27% | −0.01% | #2 |
| 2014 | 2.28% | −0.02% | #5 |
| 2013 | 2.30% | −0.06% | #5 |
| 2012 | 2.35% | −0.01% | #10 |
| 2011 | 2.36% | +0.08% | #12 |
| 2010 | 2.29% | +0.10% | #7 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Bangladesh matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2020. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw health spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Bangladesh's health spending was 2.24% in 2025. Ranked 187th globally. This represents a 3.2% increase from the previous year.
Bangladesh's health spending peaked at 2.39% in 2016.
The lowest health spending in Bangladesh was 1.77% in 2001.
Bangladesh ranks 187th globally in health spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Bangladesh's health spending is projected to reach 2.24% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The health spending of Bangladesh in 2025 was 2.24%. This ranks 187th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_bangladesh_health-spending,
title = {Bangladesh Health Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/bangladesh/health-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}