Total National Health Expenditures

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Total national health expenditures, US $ Trillions, 1970-2021

Total health expenditures increased moderately in 2021

Note: A constant dollar is an inflation adjusted value used to compare dollar values from one period to another. Total health expenditures represent the amount spent on health care and related activities (such as administration of insurance, health research, and public health), including expenditures from both public and private funds.

Source: KFF analysis of National Health Expenditure (NHE) data

Local and federal expenditures on public health, US $Billions, 1971-2021

Federal spending on public health decreased in 2021 from 2020 but remains above pre-pandemic levels

Note: Government public health activity includes organizing and delivering publicly provided health services such as epidemiological surveillance, inoculations, immunization/vaccination services, disease prevention programs, the operation of public health laboratories, and other such functions.

Source: KFF analysis of National Health Expenditure (NHE) data

Total national health expenditures, US $ per capita, 1970-2021

On a per capita basis, real health spending decreased slightly in 2021

Note: A constant dollar is an inflation adjusted value used to compare dollar values from one period to another

Source: KFF analysis of National Health Expenditure (NHE) data

Total national health expenditures as percent of Gross Domestic Product, 1970-2021

Health spending accounts for nearly one-fifth of the U.S. economy

Source: KFF analysis of National Health Expenditure (NHE) data

Average annual growth rate of GDP per capita and total national health spending per capita, 1970-2021

Health spending growth slowed in recent decades but consistently exceeded GDP growth until 2021

From 1970 through 1980, the average annual per capita growth in the U.S. economy was 9.3% per year, compared to per capita health spending growth of 12.0%. Although health spending growth rate has since moderated, it generally continues to outpace growth of the economy. After a period of recession during the COVID-19 pandemic, the economy recovered in 2021 with GDP per capita increasing 10.6% over 2020. Per capita national health expenditures increased 2.6% from 2020-2021.

Note: 2020-2021 represents 1-year change

Source: KFF analysis of National Health Expenditure (NHE) data

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