Iceland Health Spending
Current health expenditure as % of GDP SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS
Iceland's health spending was 8.52% in 2025, ranked 57th globally. This represents a 5.1% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2000–2025.
Overview
Iceland's health spending stood at 8.52% in 2025, a decline of +0.46% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 8.52% by 2025. Iceland ranked 57th globally.
Iceland’s health spending as a share of GDP was recorded at 8.52 percent in 2025, placing it 57th globally and aligning it closely with Greece, which reported the same percentage. Over a 26-year period from 2000 to 2025, Iceland’s health expenditure fluctuated, peaking at 9.73 percent in 2003 during a phase of expanded public investment in social services, and reaching its lowest point at 8.13 percent in 2015 in the aftermath of fiscal consolidation measures following the global financial crisis. The initial value in 2000 stood at 8.90 percent, indicating a gradual downward trend over the period despite short-term volatility. While spending has stabilized in recent years, it remains below its early 2000s peak. Compared to peer nations such as Burundi (8.51) and Comoros (8.64), Iceland’s expenditure level reflects a similar proportional commitment, though within vastly different economic contexts. Given Iceland’s aging population and increasing demand for long-term care, future health spending may rise unless offset by efficiency gains in service delivery or structural reforms in the public health system.
Data & projection
| Year | Health Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 8.05% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 8.29% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 8.52% | - | - |
| 2025 | 8.52% | −0.46% | #57 |
| 2024 | 8.98% | +0.28% | #10 |
| 2023 | 8.71% | −0.38% | #142 |
| 2022 | 9.08% | −0.64% | #152 |
| 2021 | 9.72% | +0.07% | #156 |
| 2020 | 9.65% | +1.01% | #153 |
| 2019 | 8.64% | +0.20% | #151 |
| 2018 | 8.44% | +0.11% | #150 |
| 2017 | 8.32% | +0.17% | #149 |
| 2016 | 8.16% | +0.02% | #143 |
| 2015 | 8.13% | −0.16% | #141 |
| 2014 | 8.29% | +0.06% | #147 |
| 2013 | 8.23% | −0.00% | #143 |
| 2012 | 8.23% | −0.02% | #144 |
| 2011 | 8.25% | −0.11% | #145 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Iceland matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2016. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw health spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Iceland's health spending was 8.52% in 2025. Ranked 57th globally. This represents a 5.1% decrease from the previous year.
Iceland's health spending peaked at 9.73% in 2003.
The lowest health spending in Iceland was 8.13% in 2015.
Iceland ranks 57th globally in health spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Iceland's health spending is projected to reach 8.52% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The health spending of Iceland in 2025 was 8.52%. This ranks 57th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_iceland_health-spending,
title = {Iceland Health Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/iceland/health-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}