Iran, Islamic Republic of Health Spending
Current health expenditure as % of GDP SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS
Iran, Islamic Republic of's health spending was 5.64% in 2025, ranked 116th globally. This represents a 6.4% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2000–2025.
Overview
Iran, Islamic Republic of's health spending stood at 5.64% in 2025, a decline of +0.38% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 5.64% by 2025. Iran, Islamic Republic of ranked 116th globally.
Iran’s health expenditure has risen modestly over the 25‑year series, moving from 4.72 % of GDP in 2000 to 5.64 % in 2025, placing it 116th globally. The indicator peaked at 8.38 % in 2015 before retreating to a trough of 4.65 % in 2002, suggesting a period of accelerated spending in the mid‑2010s that was not sustained. Compared with peers, Iran’s 2025 level matches Thailand’s 5.64 % and is slightly below Mexico’s 5.71 % and Barbados’s 5.67 %, indicating that its health financing remains comparable to other middle‑income economies. The upward trajectory since the early 2000s reflects gradual fiscal prioritisation of health, yet the gap between the 2015 peak and current levels signals potential constraints such as economic sanctions or budgetary pressures. Continued improvements in fiscal capacity, coupled with reforms to expand coverage and efficiency, would be needed to restore the earlier high‑spending trend and further close the gap with higher‑spending peers.
Data & projection
| Year | Health Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 5.67% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 5.64% | - | - |
| 2025 | 5.64% | −0.38% | #116 |
| 2023 | 6.03% | +0.40% | #88 |
| 2022 | 5.63% | +0.77% | #77 |
| 2021 | 4.86% | −0.10% | #49 |
| 2020 | 4.96% | −1.27% | #50 |
| 2019 | 6.23% | −0.40% | #102 |
| 2018 | 6.64% | −1.08% | #112 |
| 2017 | 7.72% | −0.08% | #138 |
| 2016 | 7.80% | −0.58% | #138 |
| 2015 | 8.38% | +1.57% | #146 |
| 2014 | 6.82% | +1.08% | #116 |
| 2013 | 5.74% | −0.39% | #95 |
| 2012 | 6.12% | +0.02% | #105 |
| 2011 | 6.10% | −0.19% | #106 |
| 2010 | 6.29% | +0.18% | #109 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Iran, Islamic Republic of matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2019. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw health spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Iran, Islamic Republic of's health spending was 5.64% in 2025. Ranked 116th globally. This represents a 6.4% decrease from the previous year.
Iran, Islamic Republic of's health spending peaked at 8.38% in 2015.
The lowest health spending in Iran, Islamic Republic of was 4.65% in 2002.
Iran, Islamic Republic of ranks 116th globally in health spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Iran, Islamic Republic of's health spending is projected to reach 5.64% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The health spending of Iran, Islamic Republic of in 2025 was 5.64%. This ranks 116th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_iran-islamic-republic-of_health-spending,
title = {Iran, Islamic Republic of Health Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/iran-islamic-republic-of/health-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}