In this article, we will be taking a look at the 5 unhealthiest countries in Latin America. For a detailed analysis on health market, visit 15 Unhealthiest Countries in Latin America.
5. El Salvador
Insider Monkey Score: 6.5
Conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease are the most common in El Salvador. For instance, there are approximately 487,875 cases of diabetes mellitus, 1,446,381 cases of hypertension, and 459,114 cases of chronic kidney disease nationwide. In 2021, El Salvador’s health spending was 10% of GDP, well above the regional average of 3.8%. In 2022, the health budget was $1.09 billion, mainly funded by the government, with contributions from foreign loans and donations. The government also relied on international aid and loans to manage the pandemic.
4. Honduras
Insider Monkey Score: 5
Honduras is a low-middle-income country with over 60% of its population living in poverty. The country experiences a double burden of malnutrition, with 23% of children under five experiencing stunting due to chronic malnutrition, while 51% of women of reproductive age are overweight or obese, according to USAID data. There are only 3.9 physicians per 10,000 individuals in the country, far below the World Health Organization’s recommended 25 per 10,000. As of May 31, 2024, Honduras’s health expenditure was 9.2% of GDP, up from 9.1% in 2021, the highest since 2010, which marks a two-percentage-point increase since 2017 when it was nearly 7%.
3. Guatemala
Insider Monkey Score: 4
Life expectancy in Guatemala is relatively low compared to other Latin American countries. As of 2024, the life expectancy at birth is estimated at 73.5 years, with males having a life expectancy of 71.5 years and females 75.6 years. A significant portion of the population lacks access to basic health and nutrition services, with more than six million people, or about 35% of the population, affected, per figures from USAID. In 2023, Guatemala’s Ministry of Health allocated $6.4 million to UNICEF for health and nutrition programs. In 2021, household out-of-pocket health spending reached $3.66 billion, with per capita health expenditure rising to $341 from $107 in 2002.
2. Bolivia
Insider Monkey Score: 4
Malnutrition is a significant issue in Bolivia, with 7% of children under five and 23% of the population suffering from malnutrition. Additionally, less than 10% of rural Bolivians have access to improved sanitation facilities. Bolivia ranks poorly in reproductive health, fulfilling only 58% of what is expected based on its income. The country has a high fertility rate of approximately three children per woman, sustained by limited access to family planning services. Contraceptive use is low, with only 35% of married women using modern methods, according to PRB.org.
1. Haiti
Insider Monkey Score: 1
Haiti tops the list for being the unhealthiest country in Latin America. Haiti faces numerous health challenges, including low access to primary and preventive healthcare, high infant and maternal mortality rates, and a lack of vaccination coverage. Only 68% of children under 24 months have received vaccines for diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, according to the World Bank. The average life expectancy in Haiti is approximately 50 years, which is significantly lower than the regional average. In 2023, Haiti’s health spending is $1.07 billion, or $93.87 per capita, making up 7% of GDP. This is relatively low compared to other low-income countries, where average spending is around $13 per person. More than half of Haiti’s health budget is spent on curative rather than preventive care. Health spending as a percentage of GDP has decreased from 4% in 2019 to 3% in 2021, though international aid and private funds can raise this percentage.
To learn about more unhealthy countries in Latin America, visit 15 Unhealthiest Countries in Latin America.
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