Global gains in universal health coverage slow as inequality persists

Most countries have expanded health service coverage and reduced financial hardship since 2000, according to a joint WHO–World Bank report, but progress remains uneven. The UHC Global Monitoring Report 2025 shows the Service Coverage Index rose from 54 to 71 between 2000 and 2023, while the share of people facing severe out-of-pocket health costs fell from 34% to 26%. Despite this, 4.6 billion people still lack essential health services and 2.1 billion experience financial strain, with 1.6 billion pushed deeper into poverty. Medicine costs are a major driver, accounting for over half of out-of-pocket spending in most countries. Progress has slowed since 2015, and without accelerated action, full universal health coverage by 2030 is unlikely. The report calls for stronger political commitment, higher public health investment, reduced medicine costs, and expanded access to essential services, especially for vulnerable populations.

19-12-2025