Lao PDR Health Spending
Current health expenditure as % of GDP SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS
Lao PDR's health spending was 1.11% in 2025, ranked 190th globally. This represents a 16.1% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2000–2025.
Overview
Lao PDR's health spending stood at 1.11% in 2025, a decline of +0.21% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.11% by 2025. Lao PDR ranked 190th globally.
Lao PDR’s health‑spending share of GDP has contracted sharply over the past 25 years, falling from an all‑time peak of 4.48 % in 2003 to a trough of 1.11 % in 2025, the lowest level among 190 economies recorded by the World Bank. The 2025 figure places the country at rank 190 globally, well below regional peers such as Bangladesh (2.24 %) and Brunei Darussalam (1.89 %). The decline coincides with a period of modest fiscal consolidation and limited external financing for health, which has constrained public investment despite rising demographic pressures and a growing burden of non‑communicable diseases. By contrast, Qatar, with a health‑spending share of 1.74 %, has maintained higher per‑capita resources through oil‑derived revenues, highlighting the role of fiscal capacity in sustaining health budgets. If Lao PDR can broaden its tax base and attract targeted development assistance, the downward trajectory could be halted and modest improvements in health financing may emerge in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Health Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 0.85% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.11% | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.11% | −0.21% | #190 |
| 2023 | 1.33% | −0.69% | #1 |
| 2022 | 2.02% | −0.73% | #2 |
| 2021 | 2.74% | +0.68% | #7 |
| 2020 | 2.06% | −0.54% | #1 |
| 2019 | 2.60% | +0.36% | #8 |
| 2018 | 2.25% | −0.28% | #2 |
| 2017 | 2.53% | +0.17% | #8 |
| 2016 | 2.36% | −0.09% | #3 |
| 2015 | 2.45% | +0.16% | #5 |
| 2014 | 2.30% | −0.10% | #6 |
| 2013 | 2.40% | +0.32% | #6 |
| 2012 | 2.08% | +0.13% | #5 |
| 2011 | 1.94% | −0.97% | #5 |
| 2010 | 2.91% | −0.55% | #17 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Lao PDR matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2023. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw health spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Lao PDR's health spending was 1.11% in 2025. Ranked 190th globally. This represents a 16.1% decrease from the previous year.
Lao PDR's health spending peaked at 4.48% in 2003.
The lowest health spending in Lao PDR was 1.11% in 2025.
Lao PDR ranks 190th globally in health spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Lao PDR's health spending is projected to reach 1.11% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The health spending of Lao PDR in 2025 was 1.11%. This ranks 190th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_lao-pdr_health-spending,
title = {Lao PDR Health Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/lao-pdr/health-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}