ii. United Arab Emirates (UAE)

In the UAE, medical inflation has been notably high. The Central Bank of the UAE reported that insurers paid out AED 16.5 billion in healthcare claims during the first nine months of 2024, marking a 14.6% increase compared to the same period in 2023.

This surge has led insurers to raise coverage costs by up to 20% and introduce deductibles of up to 30% for certain procedures.

(Source: Hammadi, 2025)

iii. GCC Region

Across the GCC, healthcare expenditure is projected to grow annually between 4.0% and 8.8%, influenced by factors such as:

• Population growth
• Economic conditions
• Prevalence of chronic diseases

This escalation in healthcare spending contributes to higher insurance premiums and increased out-of-pocket expenses for individuals.

(Source: IMAP)

iv. United States

In the U.S., healthcare spending reached $4.9 trillion in 2023, a 7.5% increase from the previous year. Medical care prices grew by 3.3% from June 2023 to June 2024, surpassing the overall inflation rate of 3.0% during the same period.

The average family premium for employer-sponsored health insurance increased by 7% in 2024, totaling $25,572 — which is 24% higher than in 2019.

(Sources: Health Affairs, 2024 | Shameek Rakshit, 2024)

v. Lebanon

Lebanon has experienced significant medical inflation, with the cost of medical procedures and care increasing by 23% from 2023 to 2024. This has prompted large private insurers to raise health insurance premiums by 10% starting July 2024.

Additionally, the "Health" category in Lebanon's Consumer Price Index saw a 22.93% annual increase due to heightened demand for treatment amid regional conflicts.

(Sources: Insuria Insurance Brokers S.A.R.L, 2024 | Bloom Invest Bank Blog)