Health at a Glance Asia/Pacific 2024, a joint publication of the OECD and the World Health Organisation, presents key indicators on health status, determinants of health, health care resources and utilisation, health expenditure and financing, and quality of care for 27 Asia-Pacific countries and territories. This report provides a comprehensive and clear overview over relevant health issues to support policy makers in making further progress towards improving health coverage, access and financial protection of populations across the Asia-Pacific region.
The report finds that mental, neurological, and substance use disorders and self-harm place a significant burden on the population in the Asia-Pacific region. In 2021, these conditions accounted for a quarter of the non-fatal disease burden, exceeding the impact of communicable diseases and maternal health issues.
The report further finds that life expectancy at birth has increased by about three years in lower-middle-income countries and by two years in upper-middle- and high-income countries since 2010. Yet, a very large regional divide persists as, on average in 2023, a newborn in high-income countries is expected to live over 10 years more than a newborn in lower-middle-income countries. Finally, many countries experienced a decrease in household out-of-pocket spending as a share of health expenditure. However, in some lower-middle-income countries, OOP spending still accounts for more than half of what is being spent on health.