Proportion of population further impoverished due to out-of-pocket in South Africa

South Africa: Proportion of population further impoverished due to out-of-pocket was 20.2% in 2014. ▼ Falling

Latest (2014)
20.2%
World rank
18th
of 71 countries
All-time high
30.4%
in 2005
All-time low
16.7%
in 2008
Years of data
5
1990–2014

Proportion of population further impoverished due to out-of-pocket in South Africa, 1990–2014

01020301990200220141990: 23.1 %2000: 24.3 %2005: 30.4 %2008: 16.7 %2014: 20.2 %

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for proportion of population further impoverished due to out-of-pocket in South Africa is 20.2%, measured in 2014.

The figure is down 33.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, proportion of population further impoverished due to out-of-pocket in South Africa peaked at 30.4% in 2005 and was at its lowest, 16.7%, in 2008.

South Africa ranks 18th of 71 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.

Proportion of population further impoverished due to out-of-pocket in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Proportion of population further impoverished due to out-of-pocket health expenditure, based on the societal poverty line (%) in South Africa, 1990 to 2014.
Year % Change
1990 23.1%
2000 24.3% +5.6%
2005 30.4% +24.9%
2008 16.7% -45.1%
2014 20.2% +21.4%

South Africa compared with similar countries

  • South Africa's 20.2% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 9.3%, 2.2× the median. (25 countries reporting)
  • South Africa's 20.2% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 24.5%, 83% of the median. (15 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 23.1% 23.1% 23.1% 1
2000s 23.8% 16.7% 30.4% 3
2010s 20.2% 20.2% 20.2% 1

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 15 Togo 23.2% compare
  2. 16 Ethiopia 22.3% compare
  3. 17 Côte d'Ivoire 21.7% compare
  4. 19 Ghana 20.0% compare
  5. 20 Peru 19.8% compare
  6. 21 Georgia 19.2% compare

See the full ranking of 83 places →

More reference data data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is proportion of population further impoverished due to out-of-pocket in South Africa?
Proportion of population further impoverished due to out-of-pocket in South Africa was 20.2% in 2014, according to Universal Health Coverage Dataset, World Health Organization (WHO).
What is the highest proportion of population further impoverished due to out-of-pocket recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 30.4% in 2005.
What is the lowest proportion of population further impoverished due to out-of-pocket recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 16.7% in 2008.
How does South Africa rank for proportion of population further impoverished due to out-of-pocket?
South Africa ranks 18th out of 71 countries with data for 2014.
Is proportion of population further impoverished due to out-of-pocket rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 33.3%. 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 further impoverished due to 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 further impoverished due to out-of-pocket in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on Universal Health Coverage Dataset, World Health Organization (WHO). Retrieved 15 September 2026, from https://reference.statizoid.com/stat/proportion-of-population-further-impoverished-due-to-out-of-pocket-health-expenditure/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Proportion of population further impoverished due to 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
83 places, 1,076 data points, 1985–2023
Last refreshed

Proportion of population living in households already in societal poverty (household total budget lies below the societal poverty line) that incur any out-of-pocket health expenditure. The household 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).