The percentage of out-of-pocket health expenditure in South Korea has demonstrated a consistent downward trend from 34.91% in 2013 to 28.37% in 2023. From 2013 to 2023, the year-on-year variations have predominantly been negative, with the most significant drop occurring in 2020 at -8.29%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the last five years stands at -3.01%. The forecast for 2024 and beyond projects a continued decline, with a five-year CAGR of -0.92%, reaching 26.76% by 2028.

Future trends to watch for:

The potential impact of policy changes aimed at reducing out-of-pocket expenses further.
Emerging healthcare technologies that may reduce costs.
Shifts in the demographic structure of South Korea, particularly the aging population, which could influence healthcare spending dynamics.