Zambia Health Spending
Current health expenditure as % of GDP SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS
Zambia's health spending was 5.12% in 2025, ranked 126th globally. This represents a 14.4% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2000–2025.
Overview
Zambia's health spending stood at 5.12% in 2025, a decline of +0.86% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 5.12% by 2025. Zambia ranked 126th globally.
Zambia’s health‑spending share of GDP has risen steadily over the 25‑year series, moving from 4.12 percent in 2000 to 5.12 percent in 2025, placing the country 126th globally. The upward trajectory accelerated after the all‑time trough of 3.83 percent in 2014, climbing to a peak of 6.75 percent in 2019 before moderating to the current level. Compared with peers of similar rank, Zambia’s 2025 figure matches Myanmar’s 5.12 percent and sits just below Turkmenistan’s 5.37 percent, reflecting a comparable commitment to health financing in the region. The post‑trough expansion suggests that policy reforms and increased fiscal space have bolstered public health resources, yet the slight pull‑back from the 2019 high indicates potential budgetary constraints or shifting priorities. Continued economic growth and sustained political support for health could revive the upward trend, while external shocks or fiscal tightening would likely dampen further progress.
Data & projection
| Year | Health Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 4.85% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 5.12% | - | - |
| 2025 | 5.12% | −0.86% | #126 |
| 2023 | 5.98% | +0.77% | #87 |
| 2022 | 5.21% | −1.43% | #71 |
| 2021 | 6.64% | +0.33% | #95 |
| 2020 | 6.31% | −0.45% | #90 |
| 2019 | 6.75% | +1.98% | #109 |
| 2018 | 4.77% | −0.01% | #66 |
| 2017 | 4.78% | +0.31% | #66 |
| 2016 | 4.47% | +0.04% | #47 |
| 2015 | 4.43% | +0.60% | #48 |
| 2014 | 3.83% | −0.74% | #35 |
| 2013 | 4.57% | +0.53% | #57 |
| 2012 | 4.05% | +0.09% | #47 |
| 2011 | 3.96% | −0.18% | #42 |
| 2010 | 4.13% | −1.09% | #46 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Zambia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw health spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Zambia's health spending was 5.12% in 2025. Ranked 126th globally. This represents a 14.4% decrease from the previous year.
Zambia's health spending peaked at 6.75% in 2019.
The lowest health spending in Zambia was 3.83% in 2014.
Zambia ranks 126th globally in health spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Zambia's health spending is projected to reach 5.12% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The health spending of Zambia in 2025 was 5.12%. This ranks 126th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_zambia_health-spending,
title = {Zambia Health Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/zambia/health-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}