The World Bank’s report delivers an assessment of how low- and lower-middle-income countries are struggling to fund universal health coverage (UHC) as economic uncertainty deepens and development assistance declines. Part of the annual Government Resources and Projections for Health (GRPH) Series, the report tracks recent trends and future projections in government and donor financing, revealing that spending has stagnated since 2018 and remains far below the minimum benchmark needed to deliver essential health services.
Looking ahead to 2030, the report warns that most low-income countries and many lower-middle-income countries will face declining combined health spending as a projected 20% drop in donor assistance offsets modest government increases. Yet it underscores viable options: improving efficiency, strengthening primary care, aligning aid with domestic priorities, and expanding fiscal space through targeted reforms.
