In 2001, the total per capita expenditure on health care104 in South Africa was Intl $652 (8.6% of GDP) – the highest on the continent. The Democratic Republic of Congo had the least per capita expenditure (Intl $12, 3.5% of GDP) while the least spending as a percentage of GDP was the 2% in Equatorial Guinea (Tables 20 and 21).
The WHO overall health system performance score places South Africa 175/191 countries. This composite measure of overall health system attainment105 is based on a country’s goals relating to health, responsiveness, and fairness in financing. The measure varies widely across countries and is highly correlated with general levels of human development as captured in the human development index. In this case however, there is a disparity between South Africa’s low score on the health system achievement scale and higher ranking with regard to the human development index (119/177 countries).
Tables 20 and 21 Total health expenditure (Intl $) per capita and as a percentage of GDP: countries of Africa, 2001
Table 20
Health expenditure (Intl $) per capita: Africa
Table 21
Health expenditure (Intl $) as a percentage of GDP: Africa
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