Iranian households expenditure pattern between 2013 and 2018 with emphasis on health care expenditure trends after Iran’s health transformation plan (IHTP)

Estimation and analysis of household expenditure patterns can always be considered as one of the most suitable tools to raise awareness of policy makers. The aim of this study was to investigate shares of different parts of Iranian household expenditures with emphasis on health care cost.

This descriptive study was conducted by using raw data about households expenditure obtained from Iran statistical center (1392-1396). The household expenditure patterns of 6 subcategories were analyzed. The share of health care expenditures on the basis of income quintiles were reviewed before and after Iran’s health hransformation program (1392-1396). Excel 2010 and Stata 14 softwares were used for data analysis and drawing the charts.

In urban households, the cost of housing and in rural households cost of food and clothing had the highest shares in  household expenditures. The costs of education in both groups of urban and rural households had the lowest share in household expenditures. The share of health care expenditures in urban and rural households has increased in the study years and after IHTP in all quintiles. Except for the fifth quintile in urban households, the results were similar.

The results showed significant alterations in the household expenditure pattern. The shares of health care expenditure after the IHTP has increased, indicating that the program has not been successful to achieve the goal of household financial protection.