Singapore's Medical Costs in 2025 and the projection for the next 5 years
You’ve likely heard that medical care in Singapore can be much more expensive than elsewhere. This article, however, goes beyond just stating that fact. We’ll examine the average costs in detail, revealing the true financial burden. For many, Singapore’s healthcare expenses may simply no longer be affordable or practical.
The International Healthcare Price Index shows Singapore at a 130 price point, meaning its medical costs are 30% higher than the global average. It’s especially elevated when compared to other Southeast Asian nations. Most countries in the region have a price index around 40 or even lower, far below the average of 100. This significant contrast highlights Singapore’s position as a significantly more expensive destination for healthcare within Southeast Asia.
Let’s breakdown how the costs of common medical treatments compare. The available data clearly indicates that Singapore’s prices are significantly higher. In fact, treatments in Singapore can be 30% to 60% more expensive. This is a big difference.
What about cancer treatment? the gap between countries even spread higher. Take a look at this data. it’s shown that the average costs of cancer treatment in Singapore is USD 15,000. While the average cost in other countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, much lower than that.
The comparison with Other High Medical Costs Countries in Asia
Singapore’s medical costs are quite high, even when compared to other expensive countries in Asia. On the international healthcare price index, Singapore scores 130. Hong Kong, another well-known expensive location, is slightly higher at 138, indicating an 8-point difference. Meanwhile, Japan registers a price index of 123. This data suggests that while Singapore’s healthcare is indeed costly, Hong Kong generally presents even higher medical expenses, with Japan being comparatively less expensive among these three.
From here, we can see Singapore ranks as the second most expensive country for medical treatment in Asia. The question now arises: But that’s today, how is the projection in the next 5 years?
According to experts such as WTW, medical bills are set to increase year after year. Given how expensive it already is and the projected rise over the next five years, it’s easy to see why people are thinking about whether they can still pay for healthcare in Singapore. Their money concerns are valid. Ultimately, many may find Singapore’s medical services just too costly to use
Alternative options to consider
The best way to handle high medical costs is to look for other places to get treatment. Malaysia is a great example, famous for its international standard hospitals in cities like Penang, KL, and Johor Bahru. Indonesia hasn’t been known for medical tourism, but places like the new Bali International Hospital seem promising. These spots offer good alternatives for your medical needs.
Malaysia has firmly established itself as a leading global destination for medical tourism, enjoying a strong and consistent reputation for several years and successfully built on a foundation of high-quality, affordable healthcare, coupled with excellent patient experience. Many Malaysian hospitals have international certifications, proving they meet global safety and care standards. This combination of good quality and affordability makes Malaysia a very appealing destination for people seeking medical treatment.
Bali International Hospital is A Game Changer. Bali International Hospital is changing healthcare in Indonesia. By mixing international medical expertise with local talent, it aims to make Indonesia a strong player in global medical tourism and significantly improve its own healthcare system. For a long time, many Indonesians went to other countries like Singapore or Malaysia for medical care. BIH also wants to make Indonesian healthcare better overall. It has the latest technology and focuses on important areas like cancer, heart problems, brain issues, and bone care.
A right health protection to support your medical care journey
What if you could get health insurance for most of Southeast Asia, but without the high price tag? This new type of coverage would specifically exclude expensive Singapore. By doing so, it could offer a significantly more affordable option. This would help many people manage their medical expenses better.
Even if your insurance covers you, why choose a country that quickly uses up your policy’s limit? You could instead pick a place where costs are half or even a third of Singapore’s. This means your insurance money would go much further. It’s about getting more medical care for your coverage.
What’s even better is the lower insurance premium you’d pay. It costs significantly less than plans that include Singapore. This means immediate savings on your health coverage. Therefore, you get more affordable protection for your medical needs.
We aimed for this article to help you truly understand medical costs in Singapore. It explains how these compare to other countries with slightly lower-level but still good facilities, and what costs might look like in the future for your budget. We also provided solutions on how to get the right insurance. We hope this information helps you make informed choices.