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Facebook Ads Cost Per Purchase Benchmarks for Healthcare in South Africa

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Cost Per Purchase for Healthcare in South Africa

October 2024 - October 2025

Insights

Detailed observation of presented data

Facebook Ads cost-per-purchase benchmarks: Healthcare in South Africa vs global

This analysis looks at cost-per-purchase trends for the Healthcare industry in South Africa compared to the global trend. The analysis is based on $3B worth of advertising data from our dataset, which provides strong directional benchmarks.

  • Overall positioning: Healthcare in South Africa ran above market on average (+12% vs global across Oct 2024–Aug 2025), but ended far below market in July–August 2025 due to near-zero costs.
  • Volatility: The selected series was highly volatile (average absolute month-to-month change ~32%) versus a steadier global baseline (~5%).
  • Seasonality: The global trend rose into December and early Q1—typical Q4/Q1 pressure—while South Africa’s Healthcare costs declined into December, rebounded in Q1/Q2, and then collapsed mid-year.

Selected data overview (Healthcare, South Africa)

Coverage: Oct 2024–Aug 2025 (no value for March 2025).

  • Average: 54.83
  • High: 99.08 (October 2024)
  • Low: 0.13 (July 2025), followed by 0.14 (August 2025)
  • Range: 98.95
  • First-to-last change: -99.86% (October 2024 → August 2025)

Volatility and pattern:

  • Steep declines in Q4 2024: -27% from October to November and -32% into December (49.04).
  • Strong rebound in January 2025 (+52% vs December), moderating through Q2.
  • Notable mid-year collapse: -99.7% from June (49.30) to July (0.13), holding near zero in August (+6% m/m).

Oct–Jun average was 68.51, indicating elevated costs before the mid-year dip.

Comparison to the global baseline

For the same months (Oct 2024–Aug 2025):

  • Global average: 48.90
  • Global high: 53.89 (February 2025)
  • Global low: 43.19 (November 2024)
  • First-to-last change: -2.11% (October 2024 → August 2025)

Relative positioning month by month:

  • Above market: October (≈2.1x), November (≈1.7x), January (≈1.4x), February (≈1.2x), April (≈1.5x), May (≈1.2x), June (+5%).
  • In line/slightly below: December (≈-5% vs global).
  • Far below market: July and August (near zero vs mid-40s globally).

Count of months above global: 7 out of 10.

Seasonality and timing

  • Global: Costs typically rise into December and remain firm through Q1 (seen in December–February), then drift lower into mid-year.
  • South Africa, Healthcare: Declined into December (counter to the global lift), rebounded strongly in Q1/Q2 (January–April highs), then experienced a sharp mid-year drop in July–August.

Month-by-month highlights (selected vs global)

  • October 2024: 99.08 vs 46.67 — series high, well above market.
  • December 2024: 49.04 vs 51.53 — slightly below global at year end.
  • January 2025: 74.65 vs 52.31 — strong rebound.
  • April 2025: 78.15 vs 51.57 — elevated vs global.
  • July–August 2025: 0.13–0.14 vs 45.69–46.21 — sharp dip to near zero.

Understanding COST_PER_PURCHASE benchmarks on Facebook Ads in industry Healthcare and South Africa helps advertisers make more efficient budget and creative choices.

Understanding the Data

Insights & analysis of Facebook advertising costs

Facebook advertising costs vary based on many factors including industry, target audience, ad placement, and campaign objectives. In the Healthcare industry, Facebook ad costs can be higher than average due to specialized audience targeting and compliance requirements. For campaigns targeting South Africa, advertisers should consider local market factors and user behavior. Different campaign objectives lead to varying costs based on how Facebook optimizes for your specific goals. The data shown represents median values across multiple campaigns, and individual results may vary based on ad quality, audience targeting, and campaign optimization.

Why we use median instead of average

We use the median CTR because the underlying distribution of click-through rates is highly skewed, with a small share of campaigns achieving extremely high CTRs. These outliers can inflate a simple average, making it less representative of what most advertisers actually experience. By using the median—which sits at the midpoint of all campaigns—we provide a more rigorous and realistic benchmark that reflects the true underlying data model and helps you set attainable performance expectations.

Key Factors Affecting Facebook Ad Costs

  • Competition within your selected industry and audience demographics
  • Ad quality and relevance score – higher quality ads can lower costs
  • Campaign objective and bid strategy
  • Timing and seasonality – costs often increase during holiday periods
  • Ad placement (News Feed, Instagram, Audience Network, etc.)

Note: This data represents industry median values and benchmarks. Your actual costs may vary based on specific targeting, ad creative quality, and campaign optimization.

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The data behind the benchmarks

All data is sourced from over $3B in Facebook ad spend, collected across thousands of ad accounts that use Superads daily to analyze and improve their campaigns. Every data point is fully anonymized and aggregated—no individual advertiser is ever exposed.

This dataset updates frequently as new ad data flows in. It will only get bigger and better.

South Africa Advertising Landscape

National Holidays

Jan 1New Year's Day
Mar 21Human Rights Day
Apr 18Good Friday
Apr 21Family Day
Apr 27Freedom Day
May 1Workers' Day
Jun 16Youth Day
Aug 9National Women's Day
Sep 24Heritage Day
Dec 16Day of Reconciliation
Dec 25Christmas Day
Dec 26Day of Goodwill

Key Shopping Season

Late November (Black Friday/Cyber Monday), December (Christmas & Day of Goodwill), Mid-year retail (June Youth Day promotions)

Potential Advertising Impact

CPM and CPC might rise during long weekends like Human Rights Day, Freedom Day, and Heritage Day as leisure and travel-related media consumption increases. Retail CPMs may spike in late November–December for holiday shopping. Youth Day and National Women's Day might drive regional campaigns. Weekend extensions across public holidays may benefit weekend campaigns.

What's a healthy cost per purchase for ecommerce brands?

It depends on your product price and margins. Most brands aim for $10 to $50. For higher-ticket products, a higher CPA may be acceptable as long as you're maintaining a strong return on ad spend.

How does product price impact CPA benchmarks?

Higher-priced products typically have a higher CPA because people take longer to convert. That's not necessarily a problem if your margin can support it. You should measure CPA in context with AOV and LTV.

Why are my purchase costs going up despite stable ROAS?

Your AOV may be increasing, which helps maintain ROAS even if CPA rises. You could also be facing higher CPMs, lower conversion rates, or creative fatigue.

Should I use manual bidding to control CPA more effectively?

Manual bidding can help if you're struggling to stay within target CPA. It's best used by experienced advertisers who can monitor performance and adjust regularly. It gives more control, but also requires more effort.

How do I scale spend without letting CPA skyrocket?

Increase budget gradually, rotate creative often, and avoid overlapping audiences. Scaling too quickly can lead to audience saturation and rising CPAs.