In this article, we will be taking a look at the 10 unhealthiest countries in Asia. You can skip our detailed analysis on the global health market and directly head to the 5 Unhealthiest Countries In Asia.

Global Healthcare Market Growth and Challenges

The healthcare services market was projected to grow from $7.5 trillion in 2022 to $7.975 trillion in 2023. It is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3%, or $9.8 trillion, through 2027. The global healthcare market is divided into several segments, including hospitals, digital health, and healthcare services. The hospital market alone is predicted to grow by 4.18% a year between 2024 and 2029, reaching a market volume of $5.19 trillion by that point.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over half of the global population does not have access to essential medical services. The U.S. healthcare sector is among the largest and most intricate worldwide, making up approximately 20% of the nation’s GDP. In 2021, patient care contributed to 65% of the total income generated by the U.S. health industry. However, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a sharp financial decline, causing the sector’s revenue to drop by nearly 50% in 2020.

Several countries in Asia face significant health challenges, contributing to their status as some of the unhealthiest in the region. The Philippines is often highlighted as one of the unhealthiest countries in Asia. A study by the AIA Group found that the Philippines scored 61 out of 100 in health metrics, below the regional average of 64. Key health concerns in the Philippines include high rates of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory illnesses, and cancer. Additionally, 44% of adults are overweight due to insufficient exercise and poor dietary habits, though only 25% express a desire to lose weight. The Philippines mobilized $1,225 million under the ADB’s APVAX projects for vaccine procurement, including $550 million in cofinancing from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. The Philippines achieved a vaccination target of 71% of the population aged 5 or over by June 2022.

Biggest Key Players in the Global Healthcare Market 

Companies like Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN), Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG), and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, among others, stand high in the global healthcare market due to their exceptional developments and contributions to healthcare. For example, Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) has been actively advancing its pipeline of potential first-in-class medicines. Recent developments include positive top-line results for Tarlatamab in treating small-cell lung cancer and LUMAKRAS (Sotorasib) combined with Vectibix (Panitumumab) in metastatic colorectal cancer. In October 2022, Amgen acquired ChemoCentryx, a biotechnology company specializing in treatments for autoimmune diseases, inflammatory conditions, and cancer, for $3.9 billion.

This acquisition is part of Amgen’s strategy to expand its therapeutic offerings and enhance its research capabilities. Amgen is also targeting the weight loss drugs market, with promising initial phase two outcomes for its drug, MariTide. The drug has shown a significant impact on obesity, with durable weight loss results after just three doses. Financially, Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) reported total revenues of $7.0 billion in Q2 2024, marking a 6% increase compared to the second quarter of 2023. This growth was driven by an 11% increase in product sales volume, although this was partially offset by a 2% decrease in net selling price, a 1% decrease in inventory levels, and a 1% negative impact from foreign exchange. Excluding the foreign exchange impact, total revenues increased by 7%.

Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) expects 25% of its revenue to come from Asia in the 2020-30 period, with Japan and China being its key markets in the region. In regards to China, Amgen acquired a 20.5% stake in Biagene Ltd in 2019 and entered a strategic collaboration with it in 2019 to expand its presence in the Chinese market.

Secondly, Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG), another one of the biggest healthcare companies has recently made significant strides with the introduction of its next-generation da Vinci 5 multiport surgical robot. The company submitted this system for FDA 510(k) clearance in January 2024, with hopes for a launch later in the year.

The da Vinci 5 is expected to join Intuitive’s existing portfolio, which includes the multiport X and Xi systems and the single-port SP, as well as the Ion platform for minimally invasive lung biopsies. Financially, Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) reported a revenue of $2.01 billion in Q2 2024, which represents a 14% increase from $1.76 billion in Q2 2023. GAAP net income attributable to Intuitive was $527 million for the same period, or $1.46 per diluted share, up from $421 million, or $1.18 per diluted share, in the previous year. Non-GAAP net income was $641 million in Q2, or $1.78 per diluted share, compared to $507 million, or $1.42 per diluted share, in Q2 2023.

Intuitive Surgical is growing strong in Asia, for example, in march, the company got the regulatory approval in China to market its Ion surgical robot system.  Intuitive is also launching a clinical trial in China. This is in a bid to evaluate the diagnostic yield of the Ion system relative to electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy.

While we acknowledge the potential of ISRG as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and that too within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than ISRG but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.

READ ALSO: 25 Best U.S. Cities for Retirement Healthcare and 20 States With the Healthiest Populations.

Our Methodology 

For our list, we looked at two indexes: the GHS index of 2021 and the health pillar of Legatum Prosperity index of 2023. The 2021 Global Health Security (GHS) Index assesses 195 countries’ preparedness for epidemics and pandemics across six categories. The global average score is 38.9, indicating weak international readiness despite COVID-19 efforts. Similarly, The Health pillar of the 2023 Legatum Prosperity Index assesses health outcomes, systems, risk factors, and mortality rates, highlighting the importance of physical and mental health and access to effective healthcare services for individual and national prosperity. Hence, we averaged the scores of GHS, and the health pillar’s from Legatum index and the final rankings in our list were adjusted according to the average we obtained of these scores and the weights we assigned to healthcare outcomes in these countries.

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Here is our list of the 10 unhealthiest countries in Asia.

10. Philippines 

Insider Monkey Score: 66.98 

The Philippines tops the list for being the unhealthiest country in Asia. The country faces significant malnutrition issues. For instance, 28.8% of children under five are stunted, which is higher than the regional average. Additionally, 20.1% of infants have a low birth weight, and 5.8% of children under five suffer from wasting. In 2023, the Philippines’ total health expenditure reached 1.44 trillion PHP, a 17% increase from 2022 and the highest level since 1991, representing 5.9% of GDP. Financing included 44.4% from household out-of-pocket payments, 42.6% from government schemes, and 13% from voluntary payments. Per capita health spending rose to 11,083 PHP, up 8.3% from the previous year.

9. Bangladesh 

Insider Monkey Score: 66.09 

Bangladesh faces a dual health burden with widespread non-communicable diseases (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular issues, cancer) and ongoing challenges from communicable diseases (e.g., tuberculosis, HIV, malaria). Approximately 26% of the population is undernourished, and 46% of children suffer from moderate to severe underweight problems.  Bangladesh’s health sector budget for FY 2023-2024 is BDT 38,052 crore, up 27.9% from the previous year, accounting for 5.2% of the total budget and 0.7% of GDP. Despite the increase, a significant portion is used for salaries and some funds remain unutilized, resulting in a 25.53% reduction in the health development budget. The proposed FY 2024-2025 budget is BDT 41,407 crore, an 8.8% increase, but adjusted for inflation, it represents a decrease, with a focus on achieving SDGs by 2030 and the Perspective Plan by 2041.

8. Mongolia 

Insider Monkey Score: 65.72 

As of 2019, the life expectancy at birth in Mongolia was 63.8 years for men and 72.7 years for women which is relatively low compared to developed countries. Ischaemic heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death in Mongolia, years of life lost (YLLs), and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for both men and women. In 2023, Mongolia’s health spending was about 7% of general public expenditure, consistent with recent years and slightly up from 6.8% in 2022.

7. Laos 

Insider Monkey Score: 65.14 

Chronic moderate vitamin and protein deficiencies are common in Laos, particularly among upland ethnic groups, due to poor dietary diversity rather than food insecurity. Life expectancy in Laos has improved over the years, rising from 51.8 years in 2000 to 60.4 years in 2021. Despite this progress, life expectancy remains low compared to other Southeast Asian countries, influenced by high infant and child mortality rates. In 2023, Laos’ public spending on health and education dropped to 2.3% of GDP from 4.9% in 2013, due to high debt, economic challenges, and reduced health budgets. Outpatient visits fell by 15% compared to 2019. Access to healthcare is hindered by increased supply costs, remote locations, language barriers, varying health literacy, and disparities in service quality.

6. India 

Insider Monkey Score: 63.73 

India stands fifth among the unhealthiest countries in Asia. In 2023, India allocated 2.6% of GDP to healthcare, up from 1.28% in 2018-19. The Union Budget set aside 88,956 crore rupees for health, less than the defense budget and lower than the 2019-2020 allocation, even when adjusted for inflation. Despite a 0.34% increase from the previous year, critics argue it falls short of the government’s 2.5% GDP target for Universal Health Coverage.

5. Nepal 

Insider Monkey Score: 62.73 

Nepal is one of the unhealthiest countries in the world. Nepal’s healthcare access is limited, with just 0.67 doctors per 1,000 people. According to the government, in 2023, Nepal’s health expenditure was NPR 183.8 billion (USD 1.6 billion), or 5.3% of GDP. From 2016/17 to 2022/23, the health sector budget nearly tripled to NPR 123.3 billion, driven by COVID-19 efforts, though the 2022/23 budget was lower than the previous year’s. Despite being one of the poorest countries, Nepalese households spend over 5% of their per-capita income on health, averaging NPR 505 annually.

4. Pakistan 

Insider Monkey Score: 61.14 

Pakistan is one of the most polluted countries globally, with fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) being a major health threat. This pollution reduces the average life expectancy of Pakistani residents by 3.9 years compared to what it would be if WHO guidelines were met. In the most polluted regions, such as Lahore and Peshawar, life expectancy is reduced by almost 7 years due to air pollution. In 2021, Pakistan spent 0.84% of its GDP on healthcare, down from 0.94% in 2019 and well below the average for lower-middle-income countries. In 2023, health expenditures totaled Rs 843.2 billion, an 8.3% drop from 2022.

3. Yemen 

Insider Monkey Score: 57.9 

Yemen faces significant food insecurity, with over 17 million people unable to afford sufficient food, per WHO figures, leading to widespread malnutrition. In 2023, UNICEF sought $484.4 million to address Yemen’s humanitarian crisis, aiming to support 2.5 million children and women with primary healthcare. The European Commission allocated EUR 1.15 million to Médecins du Monde for emergency medical aid in Yemen.

2. Afghanistan 

Insider Monkey Score: 50.255 

Afghanistan is one of the unhealthiest countries in Asia. The political turmoil following the Taliban’s return to power has led to a collapse in the healthcare system. Afghanistan’s economy is heavily reliant on external aid, which constitutes about 80% of its budget. The suspension of aid has led to extreme poverty, increased malnutrition, and limited access to healthcare services, exacerbating health issues. Afghanistan’s healthcare system heavily relied on international aid, which has been drastically reduced. The withdrawal of funding from major donors like the World Bank and USAID has led to the closure of many health facilities.  As of 2023, as noted by HRW.org, more than 28 million people in Afghanistan required humanitarian assistance, with over 15 million experiencing acute hunger. The UN’s Humanitarian Response Plan has only met 13% of its objectives due to insufficient fundraising.

1. Timor Leste  

Insider Monkey Score: 47.1 

The leading health issues in Timor Leste include malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, sexually transmitted diseases, and dengue. Non-communicable diseases such as eye and mental health issues are also prevalent. The healthy life expectancy at birth in Timor-Leste has improved over the years, increasing from 53.1 years in 2000 to 59.5 years in 2021. In 2023, Timor-Leste’s government allocated $92 million to health within its $772 million Social Capital Sector budget, the largest sector in the General State Budget, prioritizing universal healthcare and aligning with its Strategic Development Plan.

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Disclosure. None: The 10 Unhealthiest Countries in Asia is originally published on Insider Monkey.