Hong Kong's medical and health authorities released the latest local healthcare expenditure figures on August 26, revealing steady growth in the sector's funding for the 2024/25 fiscal year.

Total recurrent healthcare spending reached HK$262.513 billion, marking a 5.0% increase (or HK$12.491 billion) compared to the previous fiscal year. This expenditure accounted for 8.2% of the city's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a proportion that remained largely unchanged from the prior year, while per capita recurrent healthcare spending stood at HK$34,890.

Breaking down the recurrent healthcare expenditure, public funding comprised 51.6% (HK$135.45 billion), translating to HK$18,000 per person. This public portion represented 4.2% of GDP, also staying consistent with the previous year's ratio. Over the past decade, both total recurrent healthcare spending and its public component have generally trended upward as percentages of GDP.

On the private side, healthcare expenditure accounted for 48.4% of total recurrent spending in 2024/25, amounting to HK$127.063 billion, or 3.9% of GDP.

The government continues to advance its primary healthcare reform agenda in line with the Primary Healthcare Blueprint, aiming to shift the healthcare system's focus from treatment-oriented secondary and tertiary care toward prevention-focused, family doctor-led primary services. Following the establishment of the Primary Healthcare Commission, efforts have included expanding the District Health Centre network and refining the Chronic Disease Co-Care Scheme. In 2024/25, primary healthcare spending represented 30.4% of total recurrent healthcare expenditure, steadily progressing toward the Blueprint's long-term target of achieving a better balance between primary and secondary/tertiary care spending—such as a ratio of roughly 3.5:6.5 or even 4:6. This reflects the government's commitment to building a more sustainable healthcare system capable of addressing challenges like an aging population and the rising prevalence of chronic diseases.