Denmark Health Spending
Current health expenditure as % of GDP SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS
Denmark's health spending was 8.84% in 2025, ranked 48th globally. This represents a 5.8% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2000–2025.
Overview
Denmark's health spending stood at 8.84% in 2025, a decline of +0.55% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 8.84% by 2025. Denmark ranked 48th globally.
Denmark’s health‑spending share of gross domestic product rose from 8.11 % in 2000, the all‑time trough, to a peak of 10.69 % in 2020 before easing to 8.84 % in 2025, placing the country 48th globally. The 2025 figure remains above the early‑2000s level yet well below the pandemic‑induced high, reflecting a post‑crisis recalibration of public finances while preserving a relatively generous health budget compared with peers such as Malta (8.90 %) and Uruguay (8.77 %). Over the 26‑year coverage period, the modest decline from the 2020 apex suggests that Denmark has moderated expansionary health spending without abandoning its commitment to universal coverage. Continued demographic aging and potential policy shifts toward preventive care will likely shape whether the upward trajectory resumes or stabilises at the current level.
Data & projection
| Year | Health Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 8.10% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 8.47% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 8.84% | - | - |
| 2025 | 8.84% | −0.55% | #48 |
| 2024 | 9.39% | −0.17% | #11 |
| 2023 | 9.56% | +0.08% | #157 |
| 2022 | 9.47% | −1.18% | #155 |
| 2021 | 10.66% | −0.04% | #167 |
| 2020 | 10.69% | +0.51% | #163 |
| 2019 | 10.18% | +0.04% | #171 |
| 2018 | 10.14% | +0.03% | #170 |
| 2017 | 10.11% | −0.17% | #171 |
| 2016 | 10.28% | −0.09% | #175 |
| 2015 | 10.38% | +0.06% | #175 |
| 2014 | 10.31% | +0.02% | #176 |
| 2013 | 10.30% | −0.24% | #173 |
| 2012 | 10.53% | +0.14% | #179 |
| 2011 | 10.40% | −0.20% | #175 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Denmark matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw health spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Denmark's health spending was 8.84% in 2025. Ranked 48th globally. This represents a 5.8% decrease from the previous year.
Denmark's health spending peaked at 10.69% in 2020.
The lowest health spending in Denmark was 8.11% in 2000.
Denmark ranks 48th globally in health spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Denmark's health spending is projected to reach 8.84% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The health spending of Denmark in 2025 was 8.84%. This ranks 48th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_denmark_health-spending,
title = {Denmark Health Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/denmark/health-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}