5 Countries With Highest Pharmaceutical Spend Per Capita

4. Korea

Pharmaceutical Spending Per Capita: $803 

Korea stands fourth among the countries with highest pharmaceutical spend per capita, with expenditures reaching around $803 per capita in 2022, accounting for approximately 1.7% of the country’s GDP. In 2019, retail pharmaceutical spending per capita was $627, with prescribed medicines comprising $532 and over-the-counter medicines $95. Government or compulsory plans financed 60% of these expenditures, while out-of-pocket expenses covered 39%, with voluntary health insurance plans contributing 1%. The pharmaceutical industry relies heavily on domestic manufacturers, with about 80% of the supply sourced domestically, as the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety reported.