In this article, we will be taking a look at the 5 unhealthiest countries in Asia. For a detailed analysis on the health market, visit 10 Unhealthiest Countries In Asia.
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.
To learn about more unhealthy countries in Asia, visit 10 Unhealthiest Countries in Asia.
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