Description
This indicator measures the government’s commitment to investing in the health and well-being of its people.
Relationship to Economic Growth
MCC generally strives to measure outcomes rather than inputs, but health outcomes can be very slow to adjust to policy changes. Therefore, the Health Expenditures indicator is used to gauge the extent to which governments are making investments in the health and well-being of their citizens.29 A large body of literature links improved health outcomes to economic growth and poverty reduction.30 While the link between expenditures and outcomes is never automatic in any country, it is generally positive when expenditures are managed and executed efficiently.31 Research suggests that increased spending on health, when coupled with good policies and good governance, can promote growth, reduce poverty, and trigger declines in infant, child, and maternal mortality.32
Methodology
Indicator Institution Methodology
This indicator measures domestic general government health expenditure (GGHE-D) as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Domestic general government health expenditure includes outlays earmarked for health maintenance, restoration or enhancement of the health status of the population, paid for in cash or in kind by the following financing agents: central/federal, state/provincial/regional, and local/municipal authorities; extra-budgetary agencies, social security schemes; and parastatals. All are financed through domestic funds. GGHE-D includes only current expenditures made during the year (excluding investment expenditures such as capital transfers). The classification of the functions of government (COFOG) promoted by the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), OECD and other institutions sets the boundaries for public outlays. Figures are originally estimated in million national currency units (million NCU) and in current prices. GDP data are primarily drawn from the United Nations National Accounts statistics. This indicator is sourced from the World Bank’s Databank: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.GHED.GD.ZS.
MCC Methodology
This indicator measures public expenditure on health as a percent of gross domestic product (GDP). MCC relies on the World Bank for data on public health expenditure. The indicator estimates domestic general government health expenditure (GGHE-D) — the sum of current outlays by government entities to purchase health care services and goods — in million national currency units (million NCU) and in current prices. GDP data are primarily drawn from the United Nations National Accounts statistics.
The FY26 scores come from the 2025 update of the database and largely reflect performance in calendar year 2022.33 If countries have data from 2023, the more recent data is used. If countries do not have data from either 2022 or 2023 the indicator is treated as missing to ensure comparability.