Financing of health systems in Latin America and the Caribbean: main trends as of 2023

The level of public health expenditure in Latin America and the Caribbean represents more than half of total resources, averaging 55.6%. Conversely, out-of-pocket health expenditure remains high and accounts for one third of current health expenditure, exceeding the recommended threshold of less than 20% required to ensure greater financial protection for households.

This document presents trends in health expenditure in the Region in 2023 and shows that the strategic objective of reaching public health expenditure levels equivalent to 6% of gross domestic product remains distant for most countries in the subregion. This situation hinders progress toward more sustainable and predictable health spending and limits the potential for improved financial protection of households.

Health expenditure trends show that, after the COVID-19 emergency in 2020 and 2021, investment levels returned to those of 2019, compromising reported advances.