The percentage of the UK’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) spent on healthcare, was around 11.1% in 2024, a slight increase from the previous year but still higher than pre-pandemic levels (according to the Office for National Statistics).
Historical Context
This share is higher than the pre-pandemic levels of around 10.0% in 2019 but lower than the peaks seen during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
| Year | Healthcare expenditure as % of GDP |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 11.1% |
| 2023 | 11.0% |
| 2022 | 11.1% |
| 2021 | 12.4% |
| 2020 | 12.0% |
| 2019 | 10.0% |
Comparison to Other Developed Countries
The UK’s health spending as a percentage of GDP is comparable to other rich countries; the US spends significantly more, while some European nations spend less.
Health is second only to social protection (pensions and benefits) in terms of what our government spends money on.
These are summarised in this article.
