Healthcare
Singapore — Healthcare: Public Healthcare
Health system indicators for Singapore, from World Bank Open Data: current health expenditure 4.5 % of GDP (2023); government share of current health expenditure 58 % (2023); out-of-pocket share of current health expenditure 25 % (2023); physicians 2.8 per 1,000 people (2022); hospital beds 2.8 per 1,000 people (2023); life expectancy at birth 83.3 years (2024).
VerifiedGovernment / official sourceWorld Bank — World Development Indicators (World Bank Open Data)Last reviewed: 2026-10-18
Key facts
- Current health expenditure: 4.5 % of GDP (2023)
- Government share of current health expenditure: 58 % (2023)
- Out-of-pocket share of current health expenditure: 25 % (2023)
- Physicians: 2.8 per 1,000 people (2022)
- Hospital beds: 2.8 per 1,000 people (2023)
- Life expectancy at birth: 83.3 years (2024)
Common mistakes
- Assuming work-pass holders have some form of MediSave/MediShield access — these schemes are strictly Citizen/PR programs, unavailable to foreign workers.
- Relying on public hospitals as a low-cost fallback without insurance — foreigners pay full unsubsidized rates.
What these figures do not cover
These are national statistics. Who is eligible for the public system, how a foreign resident enrols, what it costs and waiting times are not covered here.