WTW report: 2026 Global Medical Trends
The projected global average increase of medical costs will be 10.3% in 2026, this survey of 346 health insurers covering 82 countries finds.
There is a growing sense of concern among insurers, as 56% anticipate further increases in global medical cost trends and 55% expect these elevated levels to persist for more than three years.
High medical cost trends are driven by region-specific service pressures – such as pharmacy, outpatient, and professional services – alongside global structural factors like new medical technologies, pharmaceutical advancements and condition-based factors such as rising cancer incidence, particularly among younger populations.
Read the full report to find out:
- Cost increases in Asia Pacific are expected to reach 14% in 2026 — up from 13.2% in 2025.
- Latin America is poised for the sharpest acceleration, jumping from 10.5% in 2025 to 11.9% in 2026.
- The Middle East and Africa region is also projected to see acceleration, with trends reaching 11.3% in 2026.
- North America and Europe are forecast to see more modest increases of 9.2% and 8.2% in 2026.
Supplied by REBA Associate Member, WTW
WTW is a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company.
