How much Central African health spending came directly from households
In 2023, out-of-pocket payments accounted for 67.65% of current health spending in Cameroon and 17.27% in Gabon. All six countries in the table had a lower share than in 2000.
Sources checked
Central Africa Record Editorial Team
2000 to 2023Out-of-pocket health expenditure by country
Gabon moved from 53.16% in 2000 to 25.51% in 2010 and 17.27% in 2023. The Republic of the Congo moved from 52.70% to 27.97% over the full period, with considerable year-to-year variation in the middle. Source 1
Households still financed most current expenditure in two cases
Cameroon’s share was 67.65% and Chad’s was 51.68% in 2023. The Central African Republic was at 45.02% and DR Congo at 38.00%. These percentages compare the funding mix within each country. Source 1
A lower share can have more than one cause
The proportion can fall if household payments shrink or if spending financed by other sources rises faster. Absolute spending per person and expenditure by financing source can show which part of the fraction changed. Source 2
Financial hardship needs household-level evidence
National expenditure shares describe how the system is financed. To measure how often care creates financial hardship, analysts need household surveys that compare health payments with household budgets, including the circumstances of people who go without care. Source 2