Italy Health Spending
Current health expenditure as % of GDP SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS
Italy's health spending was 7.97% in 2025, ranked 69th globally. This represents a 5.6% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2000–2025.
Overview
Italy's health spending stood at 7.97% in 2025, a decline of +0.47% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 7.97% by 2025. Italy ranked 69th globally.
Italy’s health‑care expenditure has risen modestly since the turn of the millennium, moving from an all‑time trough of 7.55 % of GDP in 2000 to a peak of 9.56 % in 2020, before easing to 7.97 % in 2025, which places the country 69th globally. The post‑pandemic contraction reflects a combination of fiscal consolidation and demographic pressures that have tempered the rapid growth seen during the early 2020s. Over the 26‑year coverage period, the average share of GDP devoted to health has hovered just below 8 %, indicating a relatively stable commitment compared with peers such as Uzbekistan (7.98 %) and the Republic of Yemen (7.96 %). While Italy’s spending remains lower than the EU average, the recent dip suggests that without renewed policy focus on preventive care and ageing‑related services, the upward trajectory may remain muted. Future increases will likely depend on reforms that boost efficiency and address the rising cost of advanced medical technologies.
Data & projection
| Year | Health Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 7.35% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 7.66% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 7.97% | - | - |
| 2025 | 7.97% | −0.47% | #69 |
| 2024 | 8.44% | +0.04% | #7 |
| 2023 | 8.41% | −0.44% | #138 |
| 2022 | 8.85% | −0.43% | #146 |
| 2021 | 9.28% | −0.28% | #147 |
| 2020 | 9.56% | +0.95% | #151 |
| 2019 | 8.62% | −0.04% | #149 |
| 2018 | 8.65% | −0.04% | #154 |
| 2017 | 8.69% | −0.03% | #153 |
| 2016 | 8.72% | −0.13% | #153 |
| 2015 | 8.85% | −0.01% | #155 |
| 2014 | 8.86% | +0.07% | #155 |
| 2013 | 8.79% | −0.01% | #155 |
| 2012 | 8.80% | +0.07% | #155 |
| 2011 | 8.73% | −0.15% | #152 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Italy matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 1986. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw health spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Italy's health spending was 7.97% in 2025. Ranked 69th globally. This represents a 5.6% decrease from the previous year.
Italy's health spending peaked at 9.56% in 2020.
The lowest health spending in Italy was 7.55% in 2000.
Italy ranks 69th globally in health spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Italy's health spending is projected to reach 7.97% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The health spending of Italy in 2025 was 7.97%. This ranks 69th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_italy_health-spending,
title = {Italy Health Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/italy/health-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}