Proportion of population facing impoverishing out-of-pocket health in South Africa

South Africa: Proportion of population facing impoverishing out-of-pocket health was 20.6% in 2014. ▼ Falling

Latest (2014)
20.6%
World rank
23rd
of 78 countries
All-time high
31.0%
in 2005
All-time low
17.3%
in 2008
Years of data
5
1990–2014

Proportion of population facing impoverishing out-of-pocket health in South Africa, 1990–2014

01020301990200220141990: 23.6 %2000: 24.8 %2005: 31 %2008: 17.3 %2014: 20.6 %

Source: Universal Health Coverage Dataset, World Health Organization (WHO). Measured in %.

Analysis

The most recent figure for proportion of population facing impoverishing out-of-pocket health in South Africa is 20.6%, measured in 2014.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 33.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, proportion of population facing impoverishing out-of-pocket health in South Africa peaked at 31.0% in 2005 and was at its lowest, 17.3%, in 2008.

That places South Africa 23rd out of 78 countries with data for 2014, putting it in the middle of the range.

Proportion of population facing impoverishing out-of-pocket health in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Proportion of population facing impoverishing out-of-pocket health expenditure, based on the societal poverty line (%) in South Africa, 1990 to 2014.
Year % Change
1990 23.6%
2000 24.8% +4.9%
2005 31.0% +25.2%
2008 17.3% -44.3%
2014 20.6% +19.0%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 23.6% 23.6% 23.6% 1
2000s 24.4% 17.3% 31.0% 3
2010s 20.6% 20.6% 20.6% 1

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 20 India 22.3% compare
  2. 21 Mongolia 21.9% compare
  3. 22 Egypt 21.1% compare
  4. 24 Ghana 20.5% compare
  5. 25 Paraguay 20.1% compare
  6. 26 Viet Nam 19.5% compare

See the full ranking of 90 places →

More reference data data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is proportion of population facing impoverishing out-of-pocket health in South Africa?
Proportion of population facing impoverishing out-of-pocket health in South Africa was 20.6% in 2014, according to Universal Health Coverage Dataset, World Health Organization (WHO).
What is the highest proportion of population facing impoverishing out-of-pocket health recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 31.0% in 2005.
What is the lowest proportion of population facing impoverishing out-of-pocket health recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 17.3% in 2008.
How does South Africa rank for proportion of population facing impoverishing out-of-pocket health?
South Africa ranks 23rd out of 78 countries with data for 2014.
Is proportion of population facing impoverishing out-of-pocket health rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 33.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from Universal Health Coverage Dataset, World Health Organization (WHO), published as part of Proportion of population facing impoverishing out-of-pocket health expenditure, based on the societal poverty line (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Proportion of population facing impoverishing out-of-pocket health in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on Universal Health Coverage Dataset, World Health Organization (WHO). Retrieved 08 September 2026, from https://reference.statizoid.com/stat/proportion-of-population-facing-impoverishing-out-of-pocket-health-expenditure-based-on/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Proportion of population facing impoverishing out-of-pocket health expenditure, based on the societal poverty line (%)
Unit
%
Source
Universal Health Coverage Dataset, World Health Organization (WHO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
90 places, 1,155 data points, 1985–2024
Last refreshed

Proportion of population spending more than 100% of household discretionary budget on out-of-pocket health expenditure (%). This includes people living in poverty that are further impoverished due to out-of-pocket health expenditure as well as people who are pushed into poverty by out-of-pocket health expenditure. The discretionary budget is defined as the total household budget, measured by consumption expenditure or income, minus the societal poverty line (SPL ). Using 2017 purchasing power parities (PPPs), the SPL corresponds to whichever is greater: $2.15 (the international poverty line) or $1.15 + 50% of median household consumption expenditure or income, excluding out-of-pocket household expenditure on health. Out-of-pocket health expenditure is defined as any spending incurred by a household when any member uses a health good or service to receive any type of care (preventive, curative, rehabilitative, long-term or palliative care); provided by any type of provider; for any type of disease, illness or health condition; in any type of setting (outpatient, inpatient, at home).