health
May 9, 2026
Analysis | Crisis of the EPS would be transferring more and more health costs directly to Colombian households
Health in Colombia faces great challenges this year. Photo: Image generated with artificial intelligence.
TL;DR
- Household out-of-pocket health spending in Colombia increased by 57.3% between 2022 and 2025.
- This increase is linked to growing difficulties in accessing medical appointments, medications, and timely care through EPS.
- Rural areas saw a 61.7% increase in household out-of-pocket health spending, compared to 26.4% in urban areas.
- Households with members reporting 'very bad' health conditions increased their medical expenses by 32.7%.
- In the poorest quintile, 55.7% reported problems with appointment scheduling in 2025, up from 42.1% in 2022.
- 60.3% of individuals in the poorest quintile did not receive prescribed medications in 2025.
- Peticiones, quejas, reclamos y solicitudes (petitions, complaints, claims, and requests) related to the health system grew by 78% between 2022 and 2025.
- While health affiliation levels remain high, the user experience indicates increasing difficulties in accessing timely and effective medical services.