Iraq Health Spending
Current health expenditure as % of GDP SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS
Iraq's health spending was 5.49% in 2025, ranked 121st globally. This represents a 0.8% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2003–2025.
Overview
Iraq's health spending stood at 5.49% in 2025, a decline of +0.04% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 5.49% by 2025. Iraq ranked 121st globally.
Iraq’s health‑care expenditure as a share of gross domestic product has risen steadily since the early 2000s, moving from 3.00 in 2003 to a 2025 level of 5.49, which places the country 121st in the World Bank’s global ranking. The upward trajectory accelerated after the all‑time trough of 2.49 in 2006, reaching a peak of 5.73 in 2020 before moderating slightly in the subsequent years. Over the 22‑year coverage period, the average annual growth rate has been modest but persistent, keeping Iraq’s spending level close to that of neighboring Saudi Arabia (5.45) and comparable to small economies such as Dominica (5.54). The modest decline from the 2020 peak suggests a possible re‑allocation of fiscal resources amid broader economic pressures, yet the long‑run trend remains upward. Continued investment in health infrastructure and reforms in public financing could sustain the positive momentum and push Iraq’s health spending above the regional median in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Health Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 5.62% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 5.49% | - | - |
| 2025 | 5.49% | −0.04% | #121 |
| 2023 | 5.53% | +1.20% | #75 |
| 2022 | 4.33% | −0.81% | #49 |
| 2021 | 5.14% | −0.59% | #57 |
| 2020 | 5.73% | +1.52% | #70 |
| 2019 | 4.21% | +0.13% | #44 |
| 2018 | 4.08% | −0.01% | #41 |
| 2017 | 4.09% | −0.48% | #42 |
| 2016 | 4.57% | +1.42% | #52 |
| 2015 | 3.16% | +0.37% | #14 |
| 2014 | 2.79% | −0.02% | #11 |
| 2013 | 2.81% | +0.12% | #12 |
| 2012 | 2.69% | −0.11% | #16 |
| 2011 | 2.80% | −0.44% | #18 |
| 2010 | 3.24% | −0.53% | #23 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Iraq matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2022. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw health spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Iraq's health spending was 5.49% in 2025. Ranked 121st globally. This represents a 0.8% decrease from the previous year.
Iraq's health spending peaked at 5.73% in 2020.
The lowest health spending in Iraq was 2.49% in 2006.
Iraq ranks 121st globally in health spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Iraq's health spending is projected to reach 5.49% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The health spending of Iraq in 2025 was 5.49%. This ranks 121st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_iraq_health-spending,
title = {Iraq Health Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/iraq/health-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}