Universal health coverage (UHC) means that everyone receives quality health services, when and where they need them, without incurring financial hardship.

Before COVID-19 struck, the world was far short of reaching the Sustainable Goal (SDG) 3.8 targets and the goal of 1 billion more people benefiting from UHC by 2023.

Since 2000, service coverage has increased as average income has grown, but at an undue cost to many people (Figure ES.1). Trajectories on the path to UHC, as tracked by related SDG indicators on service coverage and financial hardship, vary substantially across WHO regions and countries. Country-level analysis of coverage policy is needed to identify gaps in health coverage, understand their causes and develop appropriate policy responses.