Kiribati Health Expenditure per Capita

Kiribati’s health expenditure per capita rose from US$65.61 in 2000 to a peak of US$266.75 in 2025, placing the nation at rank 120 globally and narrowly below peers such as Bolivia (US$272.26) and Libya (US$274.42). The 25‑year increase reflects a more than four‑fold rise in public and private spending on health services, driven by expanded primary‑care outreach to remote islands, higher vaccine procurement costs, and greater investment in climate‑resilient health infrastructure. While the 2000 trough coincided with limited fiscal capacity and a narrow tax base, the upward trajectory accelerated after the 2010s when international development partners augmented funding for disease prevention and maternal health. Despite the progress, Kiribati’s per‑capita spending remains modest relative to regional averages, suggesting room for further scaling of services. Continued growth will likely depend on sustained external assistance and domestic revenue reforms that can insulate health financing from the fiscal shocks of climate change.