Nearly 60% of Hongkongers delay medical care, report finds

Cost and lack of information contribute to hesitancy

Almost 60% of Hongkongers delay medical care according to the findings of Patient Voices Hong Kong: How clarity, cost and choice shape care, a new Economist Impact report commissioned by Prudential plc.

The report draws on a survey conducted between April and May 2025, which
gathered responses from 1,153 Hong Kong residents and includes insights from interviews with two local experts.

Whilst 67% acknowledged the convenience of local healthcare services, more than half (55%) said they are unsure where to go when health problems arise.

Over half also reported lacking the right information to make the right medical decisions.

With residents who visited a general practitioner in the past year, 52% said the experience was inconvenient due to waiting times, complicated booking systems or other access barriers.

Travel is also an issue as one in four Hong Kong respondents reported difficulty accessing healthcare facilities using existing means of transport.

The survey also showed that 53% of Hong Kong respondents are concerned they cannot afford the care they need, while 56% report the cost of medical services last year was higher than expected.

When asked how they pay for medical needs, 20% of respondents rely on government-subsidised healthcare or public insurance, while 18% depend on financial support from family and 15% pay out-of-pocket. 

Only a tenth of respondents turn to private health insurance

These all led to almost three in five Hong Kong respondents postponing medical care in the past year, according to those surveyed.

The most common reasons for delayed care were patients not considering their symptoms severe (24%), the need to care for children (24%), and a desire to avoid burdening loved ones (24%).

Interestingly, many respondents chose to stay with their existing provider despite long wait times and 21% say they trust their current provider.

Lastly, minimising disruptions to daily life helps patients feel more confident seeking care with 31% of respondents prefer care that enables fast recovery for a swift return to daily life.