China's total health expenditure kept increasing last year, while the ratio of individual health expense in total health expenditure actually decreased, the country's health authority said.

Total health expenditure and per capita health expenditure in 2008 were expected to reach 1.2 trillion yuan ($178.6 billion) and 915 yuan respectively, compared to 1.12 trillion yuan and 854.4 yuan in 2007, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in a briefing of medical reform and development on its website on Monday.

However, it said the ratio of individual health expense in the total health expenditure last year was expected to drop, but added no further details.