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The objective of this section is to present the best available data on a wide range of health and related indicators.  This should provide health planners and managers with easy access to data from a variety of sources.

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Per capita health expenditure

DefinitionAmount spent on health per person (in Rands)

For the public sector, this is often calculated for the population without medical aid coverage (public sector dependent population). For the private sector this is usually calculated for the number of medical schemes beneficiaries.

Note that attention should be given to the notes for each data item, since financial indicators are affected by inflation, and expenditure may be reported according to currency value for a particular year to facilitate comparison of real differences.

Keywords
Indicator Type: -> Health Services -> Health Financing

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Indicator Data
View by [Ethnic] [Geographic (SA provinces)] [International] [District]

ECFSGPKZNLPMPNCNWWCZA
Per capita health expenditure [Definition]
1996 Public (narrow)510562703618489313477506606[1] 532
1996 Public PHC---------[2] 176
1997 Public (narrow)510596724657458360539595600[3] 560
1997 Public PHC---------[4] 202
1998 /99 Public 2003 prices7611 0831 4509176456068406391 469[5] 948
1998 Private hosp---------[6] 884
1998 Private med---------[7] 974
1998 Private med NHA---------[8] 916
1998 Private medicine---------[9] 1 135
1998 Private personnel---------[10] 1 319
1998 Private total---------[11] 3 099
1998 Public (narrow)474579714606412282467660598[12] 533
1998 Public PHC---------[13] 186
1998 Public medicine44861867128185878134[14] 79
1998 Public personnel349541802465341226273490719[15] 480
1998 Public total5067621 2345984202984536591 024[16] 670
1999 /00 Public 2003 prices8199351 2548726366008656031 385[17] 901
1999 Private hosp---------[18] 1 087
1999 Private medicine---------[19] 1 347
1999 Private personnel---------[20] 1 974
1999 Private total---------[21] 3 726
2000 /01 Public 2003 prices8199641 1878926615308716191 380[22] 897
2000 Excl. grants666658735711565455610527786[23] 654
2000 Private hosp---------[24] 1 177
2000 Private medicine---------[25] 1 465
2000 Private personnel---------[26] 1 962
2000 Private total---------[27] 3 868
2000 Public sector6707921 1077865704656445351 235[28] 779
2001 /02 Public 2003 prices7859871 2339966456339066201 352[29] 929
2001 Private hosp---------[30] 1 242
2001 Private medicine---------[31] 1 626
2001 Private total---------[32] 4 396
2001 Public PHC1079928516510272126204317[33] 168
2002 /03 Public 2003 prices8089971 2449586786569616601 292[34] 931
2002 /03 public 2005 prices8571 0741 3301 0297206901 0147091 355[35] 993
2002 Private total---------[36] 5 098
2003 /04 Public 2003 prices8801 1201 1859457567301 1807131 356[37] 969
2003 /04 public 2005 prices9241 1601 3221 0507817761 2427451 455[38] 1 042
2003 Private total---------[39] 5 724
2004 /05 Public8271 1331 2841 0298037981 1037721 505[40] 1 028
2004 /05 Public 2003 prices9111 0951 1829567197761 1537411 304[41] 969
2004 /05 public 2005 prices8621 1811 3411 0738428311 1498041 569[42] 1 066
2004 Private total---------[43] 6 012
2004 Public PHC19919417618590144246195226[44] 176
2005 /06 Public9551 2381 4961 2119159441 4158781 670[45] 1 191
2005 /06 Public 2003 prices9391 1111 1649527207841 1947911 272[46] 973
2005 /06 public 2005 prices9551 2291 5081 2069149351 4178751 666[47] 1 175
2005 Private total---------[48] 6 767
2006 /07 Public1 1421 3071 6051 3661 0381 0661 7921 0411 766[49] 1 347
2006 /07 public 2005 prices1 0231 2271 4981 2829909731 5869651 757[50] 1 232
2006 Private total---------[51] 7 346
2007 /08 Public1 2901 3951 6811 5081 1951 1621 5711 2261 933[52] 1 440
2007 Private total---------[53] 7 680
EC: Eastern Cape  FS: Free State  GP: Gauteng  KZN: KwaZulu-Natal  LP: Limpopo  MP: Mpumalanga  NC: Northern Cape  NW: North West  WC: Western Cape  ZA: South Africa  

Notes and References

  1. National Health Accounts Public 2000: Thomas S, Muirhead D. National Health Accounts Project: The Public Sector Report. Pretoria: Department of Health; November 2000.
    Local copy: -
    Figures in 99/00 Rands. Calculated using public sector dependent population. Narrow health expenditure is defined as direct expenditure by the Provincial and National Departments of Health. Table 5.1a pg 58.
  2. SAHR 2000 Ch5: Thomas S, Muirhead D, Doherty J, Muheki C. Public Sector Financing. In: Ntuli A, Crisp N, Clarke E, Barron P, editors. South African Health Review 2000. Durban: Health Systems Trust; 2000. http://www.hst.org.za/publications/404
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/
    Figures in 99/00 Rands for Primary Health Care. Calculated using public sector dependent population. Table 6 pg 136.
  3. National Health Accounts Public 2000: Thomas S, Muirhead D. National Health Accounts Project: The Public Sector Report. Pretoria: Department of Health; November 2000.
    Local copy: -
    Figures in 99/00 Rands. Calculated using public sector dependent population. Narrow health expenditure is defined as direct expenditure by the Provincial and National Departments of Health. Table 5.1a pg 58.
  4. SAHR 2000 Ch5: Thomas S, Muirhead D, Doherty J, Muheki C. Public Sector Financing. In: Ntuli A, Crisp N, Clarke E, Barron P, editors. South African Health Review 2000. Durban: Health Systems Trust; 2000. http://www.hst.org.za/publications/404
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/
    Figures in 99/00 Rands for Primary Health Care. Calculated using public sector dependent population. Table 6 pg 136.
  5. SAHR 2003/04 Ch20: Blecher M, Thomas S. Health care financing. In: Ijumba P, Day C, Ntuli A, editors. South African Health Review 2003/04. Durban: Health Systems Trust; 2004. http://www.hst.org.za/publications/423
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/
  6. Medical Schemes 1999: Report of the Registrar of Medical Schemes 1999. Pretoria: Council for Medical Schemes; 2000. http://www.medicalschemes.com
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/MedicalSchemes/medicalschemes_1999.pdf
    Includes ward and theatre fees, global per diem fees, hospital medicines and consumables.
  7. Medical Schemes 1999: Report of the Registrar of Medical Schemes 1999. Pretoria: Council for Medical Schemes; 2000. http://www.medicalschemes.com
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/MedicalSchemes/medicalschemes_1999.pdf
    Includes medicines only issued by hospitals, pharmacies and dispensing practitioners (and not medical consumables).
  8. National Health Accounts Private 2001: Cornell J, Goudge J, McIntyre D, Mbatsha S. National Health Accounts. The Private Sector Report. Pretoria: Department of Health; March 2001.
    Local copy: -
    Medical Schemes Medicines Benefits paid: Percentage of total benefits attributable to medicine (including hospital medicine) (Table 4.30) multiplied by total benefits (Table 4.27) divided by total beneficiaries (Table 4.4) for all medical schemes.
  9. Medical Schemes 1999: Report of the Registrar of Medical Schemes 1999. Pretoria: Council for Medical Schemes; 2000. http://www.medicalschemes.com
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/MedicalSchemes/medicalschemes_1999.pdf
    Includes medicines and medical consumables, issued by hospitals, pharmacies and dispensing practitioners.
  10. Medical Schemes 1999: Report of the Registrar of Medical Schemes 1999. Pretoria: Council for Medical Schemes; 2000. http://www.medicalschemes.com
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/MedicalSchemes/medicalschemes_1999.pdf
    Personnel for private sector data is defined as the total of all professional fees paid to all categories of health personnel (including medical, dental, support and allied).
  11. Medical Schemes 1999: Report of the Registrar of Medical Schemes 1999. Pretoria: Council for Medical Schemes; 2000. http://www.medicalschemes.com
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/MedicalSchemes/medicalschemes_1999.pdf
    Calculated from all benefits paid divided by total beneficiaries (all types of medical schemes).
  12. National Health Accounts Public 2000: Thomas S, Muirhead D. National Health Accounts Project: The Public Sector Report. Pretoria: Department of Health; November 2000.
    Local copy: -
    Figures in 99/00 Rands. Calculated using public sector dependent population. Narrow health expenditure is defined as direct expenditure by the Provincial and National Departments of Health. Table 5.1a pg 58.
  13. SAHR 2000 Ch5: Thomas S, Muirhead D, Doherty J, Muheki C. Public Sector Financing. In: Ntuli A, Crisp N, Clarke E, Barron P, editors. South African Health Review 2000. Durban: Health Systems Trust; 2000. http://www.hst.org.za/publications/404
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/
    Figures in 99/00 Rands for Primary Health Care. Calculated using public sector dependent population. Table 6 pg 136.
  14. National Health Accounts Public 2000: Thomas S, Muirhead D. National Health Accounts Project: The Public Sector Report. Pretoria: Department of Health; November 2000.
    Local copy: -
    Calculated from Line Item expenditures in each province (Table A7) and public sector dependent population (Annex 4). Figures in 99/00 Rands. Medicine expenditure includes medicines and vaccines, and other medical consumables.
  15. National Health Accounts Public 2000: Thomas S, Muirhead D. National Health Accounts Project: The Public Sector Report. Pretoria: Department of Health; November 2000.
    Local copy: -
    Calculated from Line Item expenditures in each province (Table A7) and public sector dependent population (Annex 4). Figures in 99/00 Rands. Personnel expenditure includes direct personnel costs (i.e. Provincial DOH employees) and other personnel costs (e.g. professional fees paid to district surgeons).
  16. National Health Accounts Public 2000: Thomas S, Muirhead D. National Health Accounts Project: The Public Sector Report. Pretoria: Department of Health; November 2000.
    Local copy: -
    Calculated from Line Item expenditures in each province (Table A7) and public sector dependent population (Annex 4). Figures in 99/00 Rands. Figures are for total recurrent expenditure (excludes capital expenditure) and includes expenditure on personnel, medicine, transport, laboratory services, maintenance and other recurrent costs.
  17. SAHR 2003/04 Ch20: Blecher M, Thomas S. Health care financing. In: Ijumba P, Day C, Ntuli A, editors. South African Health Review 2003/04. Durban: Health Systems Trust; 2004. http://www.hst.org.za/publications/423
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/
  18. Medical Schemes 2000: Report of the Registrar of Medical Schemes 2000. Pretoria: Council for Medical Schemes; 2002. http://www.medicalschemes.com
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/MedicalSchemes/medicalschemes_2000.pdf
    Includes ward and theatre fees, global per diem fees, hospital medicines and consumables.
  19. Medical Schemes 2000: Report of the Registrar of Medical Schemes 2000. Pretoria: Council for Medical Schemes; 2002. http://www.medicalschemes.com
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/MedicalSchemes/medicalschemes_2000.pdf
    Includes medicines and medical consumables, issued by hospitals, pharmacies and dispensing practitioners.
  20. Medical Schemes 2000: Report of the Registrar of Medical Schemes 2000. Pretoria: Council for Medical Schemes; 2002. http://www.medicalschemes.com
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/MedicalSchemes/medicalschemes_2000.pdf
    Personnel for private sector data is defined as the total of all professional fees paid to all categories of health personnel (including medical, dental, support and allied).
  21. Medical Schemes 2000: Report of the Registrar of Medical Schemes 2000. Pretoria: Council for Medical Schemes; 2002. http://www.medicalschemes.com
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/MedicalSchemes/medicalschemes_2000.pdf
    Calculated from all benefits paid divided by total beneficiaries (all types of medical schemes).
  22. SAHR 2003/04 Ch20: Blecher M, Thomas S. Health care financing. In: Ijumba P, Day C, Ntuli A, editors. South African Health Review 2003/04. Durban: Health Systems Trust; 2004. http://www.hst.org.za/publications/423
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/
  23. Fiscal Review 2001: Intergovernmental Fiscal Review 2001. Pretoria: National Treasury; 2001. http://www.treasury.gov.za/
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/Finance/FiscalReview_2001.pdf
    Calculated for the public sector dependent population (using the October Household Survey medical aid coverage to estimate population). Note that the calculated populations used by this source are lower than those calculated using the StatsSA mid-year estimate for 2000, but data across provinces will still be comparable. Excluding central hospital and training grants (conditional grants). Table 4.7 pg 46
  24. Medical Schemes 2000: Report of the Registrar of Medical Schemes 2000. Pretoria: Council for Medical Schemes; 2002. http://www.medicalschemes.com
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/MedicalSchemes/medicalschemes_2000.pdf
    Includes ward and theatre fees, global per diem fees, hospital medicines and consumables.
  25. Medical Schemes 2000: Report of the Registrar of Medical Schemes 2000. Pretoria: Council for Medical Schemes; 2002. http://www.medicalschemes.com
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/MedicalSchemes/medicalschemes_2000.pdf
    Includes medicines and medical consumables, issued by hospitals, pharmacies and dispensing practitioners.
  26. Medical Schemes 2000: Report of the Registrar of Medical Schemes 2000. Pretoria: Council for Medical Schemes; 2002. http://www.medicalschemes.com
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/MedicalSchemes/medicalschemes_2000.pdf
    Personnel for private sector data is defined as the total of all professional fees paid to all categories of health personnel (including medical, dental, support and allied).
  27. Medical Schemes 2000: Report of the Registrar of Medical Schemes 2000. Pretoria: Council for Medical Schemes; 2002. http://www.medicalschemes.com
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/MedicalSchemes/medicalschemes_2000.pdf
    Calculated from all benefits paid divided by total beneficiaries (all types of medical schemes).
  28. Fiscal Review 2001: Intergovernmental Fiscal Review 2001. Pretoria: National Treasury; 2001. http://www.treasury.gov.za/
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/Finance/FiscalReview_2001.pdf
    Calculated for the public sector dependent population (using the October Household Survey medical aid coverage to estimate population). Note that the calculated populations used by this source are lower than those calculated using the StatsSA mid-year estimate for 2000, but data across provinces will still be comparable. Table 4.7 pg 46
  29. SAHR 2003/04 Ch20: Blecher M, Thomas S. Health care financing. In: Ijumba P, Day C, Ntuli A, editors. South African Health Review 2003/04. Durban: Health Systems Trust; 2004. http://www.hst.org.za/publications/423
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/
  30. Medical Schemes 2001: Annual report of the Registrar of Medical Schemes 2001. Pretoria: Council for Medical Schemes; 2002. http://www.medicalschemes.com/ ISBN: 0-621-33457-X
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/MedicalSchemes/medicalschemes_2001.pdf
    Includes ward and theatre fees, global per diem fees, hospital medicines and consumables.
  31. Medical Schemes 2001: Annual report of the Registrar of Medical Schemes 2001. Pretoria: Council for Medical Schemes; 2002. http://www.medicalschemes.com/ ISBN: 0-621-33457-X
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/MedicalSchemes/medicalschemes_2001.pdf
    Includes medicines and medical consumables, issued by hospitals, pharmacies and dispensing practitioners.
  32. Medical Schemes 2001: Annual report of the Registrar of Medical Schemes 2001. Pretoria: Council for Medical Schemes; 2002. http://www.medicalschemes.com/ ISBN: 0-621-33457-X
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/MedicalSchemes/medicalschemes_2001.pdf
    Calculated from all benefits paid divided by total beneficiaries (all types of medical schemes).
  33. SAHR 2003/04 Ch20: Blecher M, Thomas S. Health care financing. In: Ijumba P, Day C, Ntuli A, editors. South African Health Review 2003/04. Durban: Health Systems Trust; 2004. http://www.hst.org.za/publications/423
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/
    Expenditure by health district on non-hospital PHC, 2001/02
  34. SAHR 2003/04 Ch20: Blecher M, Thomas S. Health care financing. In: Ijumba P, Day C, Ntuli A, editors. South African Health Review 2003/04. Durban: Health Systems Trust; 2004. http://www.hst.org.za/publications/423
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/
  35. Mark Blecher, National Treasury, personal communication May 2006.
  36. Medical Schemes 2002-3: Annual report of the Registrar of Medical Schemes 2002-3. Pretoria: Council for Medical Schemes; 2003. http://www.medicalschemes.com/
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/MedicalSchemes/medicalschemes_2002_3.pdf
    Calculated from average benefits paid per beneficiary per month x 12.
  37. SAHR 2003/04 Ch20: Blecher M, Thomas S. Health care financing. In: Ijumba P, Day C, Ntuli A, editors. South African Health Review 2003/04. Durban: Health Systems Trust; 2004. http://www.hst.org.za/publications/423
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/
  38. Mark Blecher, National Treasury, personal communication May 2006.
  39. Medical Schemes 2003-4: Annual report of the Registrar of Medical Schemes 2003-4. Pretoria: Council for Medical Schemes; 2004. http://www.medicalschemes.com/
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/MedicalSchemes/medicalschemes_2003_04.pdf
    Calculated from average benefits paid per beneficiary per month x 12.
  40. Fiscal Review 2007: Provincial Budgets and Expenditure Review 2003/04 - 2009/10. Pretoria: National Treasury; 2007. http://www.treasury.gov.za/
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/Finance/FiscalReview_2007.pdf
    Table 3.19. Outcome.
  41. SAHR 2003/04 Ch20: Blecher M, Thomas S. Health care financing. In: Ijumba P, Day C, Ntuli A, editors. South African Health Review 2003/04. Durban: Health Systems Trust; 2004. http://www.hst.org.za/publications/423
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/
  42. Mark Blecher, National Treasury, personal communication May 2006.
  43. Medical Schemes 2004-5: Council for Medical Schemes Annual Report 2004-5. Pretoria: Council for Medical Schemes; 2004. http://www.medicalschemes.com/
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/MedicalSchemes/medicalschemes_2004_05.pdf
    Calculated from average benefits paid per beneficiary per month x 12.
  44. Fiscal Review 2004: Trends in Intergovernmental Finances: 2000/01-2006/07. Pretoria: National Treasury; August 2004. http://www.treasury.gov.za/
    Local copy: -
    A comparison of PHC spending between provinces is complicated by the fact that some PHC services may be delivered from district hospitals (not included) and by some incomplete classifications (for example, medicine expenditure associated with primary care in Limpopo reflected on the provincial medicine trading account has not been reclassified). In addition, using the uninsured population as the user denominator may overstate demand because some uninsured people use private services. Nonetheless, table 5.11 shows that there are large differences between provinces in per capita budgets. This is especially so for Limpopo and Mpumalanga, where spending per capita is significantly below the average R176 in 2004/05. 2004/05 financial year.
  45. Fiscal Review 2007: Provincial Budgets and Expenditure Review 2003/04 - 2009/10. Pretoria: National Treasury; 2007. http://www.treasury.gov.za/
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/Finance/FiscalReview_2007.pdf
    Table 3.19. Outcome.
  46. SAHR 2003/04 Ch20: Blecher M, Thomas S. Health care financing. In: Ijumba P, Day C, Ntuli A, editors. South African Health Review 2003/04. Durban: Health Systems Trust; 2004. http://www.hst.org.za/publications/423
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/
  47. Mark Blecher, National Treasury, personal communication May 2006.
  48. Medical Schemes 2005-6: Council for Medical Schemes Annual Report 2005-6. Pretoria: Council for Medical Schemes; 2006. http://www.medicalschemes.com/
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/MedicalSchemes/medicalschemes_2005_06.pdf
    Calculated from average benefits paid per beneficiary per month x 12.
  49. Fiscal Review 2007: Provincial Budgets and Expenditure Review 2003/04 - 2009/10. Pretoria: National Treasury; 2007. http://www.treasury.gov.za/
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/Finance/FiscalReview_2007.pdf
    Table 3.19. Preliminary outcome.
  50. Mark Blecher, National Treasury, personal communication May 2006.
  51. Medical Schemes 2006-7: Council for Medical Schemes Annual Report 2006-7. Pretoria: Council for Medical Schemes; 2007. http://www.medicalschemes.com/
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/MedicalSchemes/medicalschemes_2006-7.pdf
    Calculated from average benefits paid per beneficiary per month x 12.
  52. Fiscal Review 2007: Provincial Budgets and Expenditure Review 2003/04 - 2009/10. Pretoria: National Treasury; 2007. http://www.treasury.gov.za/
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/Finance/FiscalReview_2007.pdf
    Medium term estimates
  53. Medical Schemes 2007-8: Council for Medical Schemes Annual Report 2007-08. Pretoria: Council for Medical Schemes; 2008. http://www.medicalschemes.com/
    Local copy: http://www.hst.org.za/indicators/MedicalSchemes/medicalschemes_2007-8.pdf
    Calculated from average benefits paid per beneficiary per month (R640) x 12.
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