The country’s health spending or Current Health Expenditure (CHE) reached PhP 1.09 trillion in 2021, 18.5 percent higher compared with PhP 917.15 billion posted in 2020. This increment was faster than the 12.8 percent growth registered in the previous year. Meanwhile, Gross Health Capital Formation Expenditure (HK) amounted to PhP 71.15 billion in 2021, lower by -19.6 percent compared with PhP 88.54 billion reported in 2020. (Tables 37 and 38)

The Total Health Expenditure (THE), which comprised of CHE (93.9%) and HK (6.1%), recorded PhP 1.16 trillion in 2021. It grew by 15.2 percent from PhP 1.01 trillion expenditure in 2020. The share of THE to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at current prices was 6.0 percent in 2021. (Tables 37 to 40, and Figure 1)

Government schemes and compulsory contributory health care financing schemes had the highest share in health spending in 2021

Health spending financed through government schemes and compulsory contributory health care financing schemes was the largest among sources of health financing in the country in 2021. It amounted to PhP 546.64 billion or 50.3 percent of CHE. Household-out-of-pocket payment (OOP) came second at PhP 451.00 billion (41.5%),  followed by voluntary health care payment schemes which contributed PhP 89.35 billion (8.2%). (Tables 10 and 12, and Figure 2)

Among health care providers, hospitals received the bulk of CHE amounting to PhP 453.23 billion or 41.7 percent share. It was followed by retailers and other providers of medical goods (26.2%) and providers of health care system administration and financing (14.8%). (Tables 13 and 15)

In terms of income quintiles, health spending of the fifth quintile (top quintile) was the highest at PhP 379.76 billion or 34.9 percent share. The poorest quintile recorded PhP 190.43 billion health spending or 17.5 percent share. (Tables 25 and 27)

On a per capita basis, using the 2015 census-based population projections, health spending was at PhP 9,839.23 in 2021, higher by 17.0 percent compared with the PhP 8,411.52 recorded in 2020. (Tables A, 43, and 44).

Table A. Current Health Expenditure Per Capita, 2019-2021, Levels (in PhP)

DENNIS S. MAPA, Ph.D.
Undersecretary
National Statistician and Civil Registrar General

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