Comparison of State Expenditures on Health in 2020: A Global Overview

State spending on the health sector is an important indicator in evaluating a country’s commitment to the welfare and health of its people.
2020 is a very interesting year to review the comparison of state spending on health in several major countries in the world. The following is a review of the comparison of state spending on health in that year based on the percentage of total government spending.
The United States, as one of the largest economies in the world, allocated approximately 38.0% of its total government spending to the health sector in 2020. Although this figure shows a significant commitment, there is still debate regarding efficiency and fairness in the US health system.
In Europe, several countries such as Germany (21.6%), United Kingdom (19.4%), and Spain (15.0%) show mixed commitment to the health sector. Germany, with a health budget of 21.6%, stands out as one of the few European countries with a significant allocation to health.
In Asia, Japan set it at 20.4% and South Korea at 19.5%, showing a high commitment to the health of their communities. Meanwhile, China, as the country with the largest population in the world, allocates around 27.5% of its total government spending to health, showing a strong priority for this sector.
In Oceania, New Zealand sets its health budget at 18.4%. Meanwhile, Australia sets the health budget at 21.9%. this shows a significant commitment to the health sector. These two countries are known for their quality and inclusive health systems.
Singapore, as a country in Southeast Asia, shows high commitment by allocating 18.4% of its total government spending to the health sector.
In Indonesia, the allocation for the health sector is relatively lower, only around 6.9% of total government spending in 2020. Despite this, the government continues to strive to improve the accessibility and quality of health services throughout the country.
A comparison of state spending on health in 2020 shows significant variations between countries around the world. Although some countries demonstrate a high commitment to public health, there are still challenges that need to be overcome in achieving inclusive, efficient and sustainable health systems at the global level.
By understanding this comparison, it is hoped that it can help the government and other stakeholders in designing more effective and sustainable policies for the health sector in the future.
Source: Bappenas