Government schemes and compulsory contributory healthcare financing schemes accounted for the largest share of healthcare spending in the Philippines in 2024, representing 44.7 percent of the current health expenditure (CHE), the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.
Household out-of-pocket payments followed with a 42.7-percent share, and voluntary healthcare payment schemes comprised 12.6 percent.
The total health expenditure (THE) at current prices reached P1.56 trillion in 2024, a 17.1-percent increase from P1.33 trillion in 2023. It also represented 5.9 percent of the gross domestic product in 2024.
CHE contributed 92.2 percent to THE, while health capital formation expenditure (HK) accounted for 7.8 percent in 2024. Both CHE and HK recorded increases of 18.7 percent and 1.7 percent, respectively.
“On a per capita basis, health spending went up to P12,751 in 2024, an increase of 17.6 percent from the P10,840 expense in 2023,” the PSA said.
For the first time, the PSA included primary healthcare expenditure (PHCE) in its release. In 2024, PHCE amounted to P748.80 billion, a 19.2-percent increase from P628.41 billion recorded in 2023.
According to the World Health Organization, primary healthcare refers to the first level of contact of individuals, families and communities with the national health system.
The methodology for the pilot estimation of PHCE is still being refined and is considered preliminary, the PSA said.
