Palau Health Spending
Current health expenditure as % of GDP SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS
Palau's health spending was 12.72% in 2025, ranked 7th globally. This represents a 17.2% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2000–2025.
Overview
Palau's health spending stood at 12.72% in 2025, a rise of +1.87% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 12.72% by 2025. Palau ranked 7th globally.
Palau's health spending has exhibited a notable upward trend over the past two decades, with the nation's expenditure on health services reaching a peak of 14.88% of its GDP in 2022. This significant increase is in line with global trends, as Palau has surpassed several of its Pacific island counterparts, including Micronesia's 13.21% in 2025. Conversely, the country's health spending has shown resilience during economic downturns, with the trough of 7.29% in 2002 marking a notable exception. As of 2025, Palau's health spending stands at 12.72% of its GDP, a moderate level compared to other nations. The trajectory suggests a stable allocation of resources to healthcare, with a focus on improving the nation's health outcomes. However, a continued rise in healthcare costs and an aging population may necessitate further adjustments to Palau's health spending, potentially shifting the trajectory upward in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Health Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 12.62% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 12.72% | - | - |
| 2025 | 12.72% | +1.87% | #7 |
| 2023 | 10.85% | −4.02% | #174 |
| 2022 | 14.88% | +0.33% | #187 |
| 2021 | 14.55% | +1.24% | #189 |
| 2020 | 13.32% | +1.14% | #188 |
| 2019 | 12.17% | +0.98% | #187 |
| 2018 | 11.19% | +0.29% | #184 |
| 2017 | 10.90% | +0.89% | #178 |
| 2016 | 10.01% | +0.25% | #170 |
| 2015 | 9.76% | −0.95% | #165 |
| 2014 | 10.71% | −0.22% | #181 |
| 2013 | 10.93% | +0.68% | #184 |
| 2012 | 10.25% | +0.30% | #173 |
| 2011 | 9.94% | −0.99% | #169 |
| 2010 | 10.93% | +1.30% | #181 |
Analysis
Palau's health spending was 12.72% in 2025, a rise of +1.87% from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 12.72% by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Palau's health spending was 12.72% in 2025. Ranked 7th globally. This represents a 17.2% increase from the previous year.
Palau's health spending peaked at 14.88% in 2022.
The lowest health spending in Palau was 7.29% in 2002.
Palau ranks 7th globally in health spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Palau's health spending is projected to reach 12.72% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The health spending of Palau in 2025 was 12.72%. This ranks 7th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_palau_health-spending,
title = {Palau Health Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/palau/health-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}