New Zealand Health Spending
Current health expenditure as % of GDP SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS
New Zealand's health spending was 10.57% in 2025, ranked 24th globally. This represents a 5.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2000–2025.
Overview
New Zealand's health spending stood at 10.57% in 2025, a rise of +0.51% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 10.57% by 2025. New Zealand ranked 24th globally.
New Zealand’s health‑care expenditure rose steadily from 7.47 % of gross domestic product in 2000 to a record 10.57 % in 2025, placing the country 24th globally and matching the United Kingdom’s 2025 level while surpassing Canada’s 10.41 % share. The 26‑year coverage period shows a consistent upward trajectory, with the all‑time trough in 2000 marking the lowest share and the all‑time peak occurring in 2025, the same year the latest figure was recorded. This increase reflects broader demographic ageing, expanded public health programmes and rising costs of medical technology, trends that have been mirrored in other high‑income peers such as Montenegro (10.60 % in 2025). If fiscal pressures ease and efficiency reforms are implemented, the growth rate of health spending could moderate; however, continued population ageing and potential pandemic‑related demands are likely to sustain the upward trend in the near term.
Data & projection
| Year | Health Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 11.01% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 10.79% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 10.57% | - | - |
| 2025 | 10.57% | +0.51% | #24 |
| 2024 | 10.06% | −0.07% | #14 |
| 2023 | 10.13% | −0.44% | #165 |
| 2022 | 10.57% | +1.02% | #172 |
| 2021 | 9.55% | +0.30% | #153 |
| 2020 | 9.25% | +0.63% | #146 |
| 2019 | 8.62% | +0.05% | #150 |
| 2018 | 8.57% | −0.05% | #152 |
| 2017 | 8.62% | −0.15% | #152 |
| 2016 | 8.77% | −0.12% | #154 |
| 2015 | 8.89% | −0.08% | #156 |
| 2014 | 8.97% | +0.03% | #159 |
| 2013 | 8.94% | −0.26% | #160 |
| 2012 | 9.20% | +0.09% | #162 |
| 2011 | 9.11% | +0.01% | #159 |
Analysis
New Zealand's health spending was 10.57% in 2025, a rise of +0.51% from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 10.57% by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
New Zealand's health spending was 10.57% in 2025. Ranked 24th globally. This represents a 5.1% increase from the previous year.
New Zealand's health spending peaked at 10.57% in 2025.
The lowest health spending in New Zealand was 7.47% in 2000.
New Zealand ranks 24th globally in health spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
New Zealand's health spending is projected to reach 10.57% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The health spending of New Zealand in 2025 was 10.57%. This ranks 24th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_new-zealand_health-spending,
title = {New Zealand Health Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/new-zealand/health-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}