Costa Rica Health Spending
Current health expenditure as % of GDP SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS
Costa Rica's health spending was 6.80% in 2025, ranked 97th globally. This represents a 1.0% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2000–2025.
Overview
Costa Rica's health spending stood at 6.80% in 2025, a decline of +0.07% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 6.80% by 2025. Costa Rica ranked 97th globally.
Costa Rica's health spending has exhibited moderate fluctuations over the past quarter century, with a noticeable peak in 2011 when the country allocated 8.12% of its GDP to healthcare. This represents a significant deviation from the all-time trough of 6.47% in 2001. Since then, the country's spending has trended upward, albeit at a relatively slow pace, reaching a current level of 6.80% in 2025. This places Costa Rica at #97 globally, surpassing several of its peer countries, including Malawi, which currently allocates 6.78% of its GDP to healthcare. On the other hand, Costa Rica trails behind countries like Cabo Verde, which has maintained a relatively higher level of 6.89% in recent years. The trajectory of Costa Rica's health spending is likely to be influenced by ongoing efforts to strengthen its healthcare system, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Data & projection
| Year | Health Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 6.67% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 6.80% | - | - |
| 2025 | 6.80% | −0.07% | #97 |
| 2023 | 6.87% | −0.32% | #105 |
| 2022 | 7.18% | −0.43% | #110 |
| 2021 | 7.61% | −0.21% | #115 |
| 2020 | 7.83% | +0.60% | #125 |
| 2019 | 7.22% | −0.06% | #127 |
| 2018 | 7.29% | +0.24% | #128 |
| 2017 | 7.05% | −0.27% | #125 |
| 2016 | 7.32% | −0.27% | #126 |
| 2015 | 7.59% | −0.07% | #135 |
| 2014 | 7.66% | −0.02% | #133 |
| 2013 | 7.68% | −0.10% | #135 |
| 2012 | 7.79% | −0.34% | #134 |
| 2011 | 8.12% | +0.09% | #142 |
| 2010 | 8.03% | +0.17% | #139 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Costa Rica matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 1995. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw health spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Costa Rica's health spending was 6.80% in 2025. Ranked 97th globally. This represents a 1.0% decrease from the previous year.
Costa Rica's health spending peaked at 8.12% in 2011.
The lowest health spending in Costa Rica was 6.47% in 2001.
Costa Rica ranks 97th globally in health spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Costa Rica's health spending is projected to reach 6.80% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The health spending of Costa Rica in 2025 was 6.80%. This ranks 97th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_costa-rica_health-spending,
title = {Costa Rica Health Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/costa-rica/health-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}