===== High-Income Countries (HICs) =====

'''High-income countries (HICs)''' are nations classified by the [[World Bank]] as having a gross national income (GNI) per capita of more than $13,845 (2024 threshold, updated annually).

These countries typically possess:
  * Advanced [[healthcare systems]]
  * High levels of education and infrastructure
  * Greater capacity for [[research and innovation]]
  * Lower rates of [[communicable diseases]] and a higher prevalence of [[non-communicable diseases]]

==== Characteristics ====
  * Universal or near-universal [[health coverage]]
  * Strong public health institutions and regulatory frameworks
  * Major contributors to [[global health]] funding and policy
  * Hosts of major [[academic medical centers]] and global research hubs

==== Role in Global Health ====
HICs are key players in:
  * Funding and guiding international health efforts
  * Providing platforms for [[medical education]], [[technology transfer]], and [[capacity building]]
  * Collaborating with [[low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)]] on research and implementation of health programs

==== See also ====
  * [[Low-Income Countries]]
  * [[Middle-Income Countries (]]
  * [[Global Health]]
  * [[Health Equity]]
  * [[World Bank Income Classification]]