In 2021, global life expectancy averaged 74 years, while in sub-Saharan Africa, it was only 66 years, with health spending at just $92 per person. This amount is significantly lower than the $379 spent in North Africa and the Middle East, highlighting the challenges faced in achieving healthy lives. Projections indicate that while gross domestic product (GDP) in sub-Saharan Africa will rise through 2050, health spending’s share of GDP is expected to increase only modestly. Currently, only 7.2% of government spending is dedicated to health in the region, compared to an average of 12.4% in other areas. Without significant increases in health prioritization, governance, and necessary structural reforms, there is a risk that the population in sub-Saharan Africa may continue to be underserved health-wise.
