• The World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2024 Global Health Expenditure Report reveals a decline in per capita government health spending across all income groups in 2022, following pandemic-era surges.

• This trend jeopardizes progress toward universal health coverage (UHC), leaving 4.5 billion people without access to essential services and 2 billion facing financial hardships due to healthcare costs.

• WHO’s findings indicate that out-of-pocket expenditure remains the primary source of health financing in many low- and middle-income countries, perpetuating cycles of poverty.

• Even in high-income nations, significant out-of-pocket payments are leading to unmet healthcare needs.

• The report underscores the need for robust public funding mechanisms to deliver affordable health services.

• Lessons from the pandemic highlight the effectiveness of government spending in responding to emergencies and saving lives.

• WHO calls on leaders to eliminate impoverishment caused by health expenses by 2030, emphasizing that sustainable health investments are crucial for future resilience.

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