SDG goals at risk in nations such as India due to declining health spending: Data Point [Video]

Recent trends in government health spending across low-income countries (LICs) and lower middle-income countries (LMICs) reveal worrying shifts as nations approach the deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals. A World Bank paper examines government health spending in 63 LICs and LMICs by analysing data from 2019 to 2023, with comparisons to pre-pandemic trends from 2015 to 2019.

The study highlights an initial spike in health spending during the pandemic followed by a steady decline. While early spending cuts appeared temporary, the analysis indicates these reductions are more permanent, challenging the necessary momentum for health-related SDG targets. In particular, LICs and LMICs are seeing declines in health spending per capita.

Between 2019 and 2023, government health spending per capita grew only modestly, constrained by a decreasing share of health within overall government budgets as general government expenditure rose faster than health spending. This shift reversed the pre-pandemic trend where health had …