United States Health Spending
Current health expenditure as % of GDP SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS
United States's health spending was 16.45% in 2025, ranked 4th globally. This represents a 1.5% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2000–2025.
Overview
United States's health spending stood at 16.45% in 2025, a decline of +0.24% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 16.45% by 2025. United States ranked 4th globally.
U.S. health spending reached US$16.45 per capita in 2025, placing the country fourth among World Bank‑reported economies and reflecting a steady climb from the all‑time trough of US$12.49 in 2000. The ascent accelerated after the 2020 peak of US$18.52, driven by expanded insurance coverage, higher drug prices and intensified demand for advanced medical technologies. Over the 25‑year span, per‑capita expenditures grew by roughly 31 % and remain well above peers such as Liberia (US$16.20) and Micronesia, Federated States of (US$13.21), underscoring the United States’ position at the high end of global health investment. Persistent cost pressures from an aging population, chronic disease prevalence and price inflation suggest that per‑capita spending will likely continue upward, although policy reforms aimed at cost containment or shifts toward value‑based care could temper the trajectory.
Data & projection
| Year | Health Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 16.28% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 16.45% | - | - |
| 2025 | 16.45% | −0.24% | #4 |
| 2023 | 16.69% | +0.17% | #189 |
| 2022 | 16.53% | −0.82% | #188 |
| 2021 | 17.35% | −1.16% | #190 |
| 2020 | 18.52% | +1.97% | #192 |
| 2019 | 16.54% | +0.03% | #190 |
| 2018 | 16.51% | −0.13% | #191 |
| 2017 | 16.64% | −0.05% | #190 |
| 2016 | 16.69% | +0.29% | #190 |
| 2015 | 16.40% | +0.26% | #191 |
| 2014 | 16.14% | +0.19% | #191 |
| 2013 | 15.95% | −0.17% | #191 |
| 2012 | 16.12% | −0.02% | #189 |
| 2011 | 16.14% | −0.06% | #189 |
| 2010 | 16.20% | −0.00% | #186 |
Analysis
United States's health spending was 16.45% in 2025, a decline of −0.24% from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 16.45% by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
United States's health spending was 16.45% in 2025. Ranked 4th globally. This represents a 1.5% decrease from the previous year.
United States's health spending peaked at 18.52% in 2020.
The lowest health spending in United States was 12.49% in 2000.
United States ranks 4th globally in health spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
United States's health spending is projected to reach 16.45% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The health spending of United States in 2025 was 16.45%. This ranks 4th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-states_health-spending,
title = {United States Health Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-states/health-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}