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<p>Women’s empowerment, particularly in household decision-making, plays a pivotal role in influencing healthcare utilization and expenditure in Pakistan, a country grappling with high maternal mortality and gender disparities. This study delves into the relationship between women’s empowerment and out-of-pocket (OOP) health expenditures, analyzing data from 24,571 households from the 2018-19 Household Integrated Economic Survey. Our results indicate a tangible reduction in OOP health expenditures and impoverishment levels with an increase in women’s empowerment. Even minimal empowerment can notably decrease health costs. With every unit increase in empowerment, the odds of encountering catastrophic health expenses reduced by 75–78%. Furthermore, a unit increase in the empowerment index led to an 80% decrease in impoverishment due to health costs. The study advocates for amplifying women’s decision-making roles as a strategic solution to alleviate healthcare-related economic burdens, particularly emphasizing the need to support women from poorer socioeconomic backgrounds or with limited education.</p>

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Women’s empowerment and its association between health expenditures and impoverishment in Pakistan

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月23日

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  • Sidra Ishfaq,
  • Tariq Mahmood Ali

摘要

Women’s empowerment, particularly in household decision-making, plays a pivotal role in influencing healthcare utilization and expenditure in Pakistan, a country grappling with high maternal mortality and gender disparities. This study delves into the relationship between women’s empowerment and out-of-pocket (OOP) health expenditures, analyzing data from 24,571 households from the 2018-19 Household Integrated Economic Survey. Our results indicate a tangible reduction in OOP health expenditures and impoverishment levels with an increase in women’s empowerment. Even minimal empowerment can notably decrease health costs. With every unit increase in empowerment, the odds of encountering catastrophic health expenses reduced by 75–78%. Furthermore, a unit increase in the empowerment index led to an 80% decrease in impoverishment due to health costs. The study advocates for amplifying women’s decision-making roles as a strategic solution to alleviate healthcare-related economic burdens, particularly emphasizing the need to support women from poorer socioeconomic backgrounds or with limited education.