The World Health Organisation has welcomed news that, globally, spending on health care is outstripping economic growth.
Health now accounts for 10% of gross domestic product – and rates of growth in healthy spending are at 6% on average in low and middle income countries, a WHO analysis has found.
In the wealthiest countries, spending on health is growing at 4%.
The report shows many poor countries still heavily reliant on donors for health spending – although external aid is responsible for less than 1% of global expenditure.
Internationally governments pay for 51% of health care while patients pay for 35% in out of pocket expenses. This pushes 100 million people into extreme poverty annually, the report finds.
In low and middle income countries, the average spending per person on health care by governments is 60 dollars while in wealthy countries it is close to 270 dollars.
WHO director general said: “Increased domestic spending is essential for achieving universal health coverage and the health-related Sustainable Development Goals.
“But health spending is not a cost, it’s an investment in poverty reduction, jobs, productivity, inclusive economic growth, and healthier, safer, fairer societies.”
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