What was the out-of-pocket health expenditure by households in 2019-2020?

What was the out-of-pocket health expenditure by households in 2019-2020?

• A. 23.4%
• B. 47.1%
• C. 60.2%
• D. 32.4%

Answer: (B)

Out-of-pocket spending by households is the portion of health costs that people pay directly at the time of care, without reimbursement or insurance support, typically expressed as a share of current health expenditure. This measures financial protection in a health system—the lower the OOPE share, the better the system spreads risk. For 2019–2020, households financed about 47.1% of current health expenditure. That means nearly half of all health spending in that period came directly from individuals and families at the point of service, highlighting a substantial burden on households and indicating gaps in financial risk protection. This is why health systems aim to reduce OOPE through stronger public funding, expanded insurance, and protections against catastrophic health costs.

Out-of-pocket spending by households is the portion of health costs that people pay directly at the time of care, without reimbursement or insurance support, typically expressed as a share of current health expenditure. This measures financial protection in a health system—the lower the OOPE share, the better the system spreads risk.

For 2019–2020, households financed about 47.1% of current health expenditure. That means nearly half of all health spending in that period came directly from individuals and families at the point of service, highlighting a substantial burden on households and indicating gaps in financial risk protection. This is why health systems aim to reduce OOPE through stronger public funding, expanded insurance, and protections against catastrophic health costs.