In 2023, the European Union allocated a total of 1.720 trillion euros to healthcare expenses, representing 10.0% of the region’s gross domestic product (GDP). This investment highlights the increasing importance that member countries give to the healthcare sector, especially in light of the challenges posed by recent global health crises.
Germany stood out as the country with the highest level of healthcare expenditure within the EU, reaching 492 billion euros. Other nations that follow are France, with 325 billion euros, Italy with 179 billion euros, and Spain, which invested 138 billion euros. In relative terms, Germany leads with spending equivalent to 11.7% of its GDP, followed by France with 11.5%. Austria and Sweden also show significant ratios, reaching 11.2%. In contrast, there are four EU countries where healthcare spending is below 7.0% of their GDP: Luxembourg and Romania (5.7%), Hungary (6.4%), and Ireland (6.6%).
Since 2014, current healthcare spending in the EU has increased significantly, rising from 2,668 euros per person to 3,835 euros in 2023, representing a 43.7% increase. This trend has been widespread across all countries in the bloc, with Romania standing out for the largest increase in spending per capita, with a surprising 155.6% increase. Other countries that have also seen significant increases include Bulgaria (148.9%), Lithuania (143.8%), Latvia (135.8%), Poland (116.6%), Czechia (116.2%), Estonia (114.6%), and Croatia (108.9%). Sweden, on the other hand, showed a more moderate growth, with a 15.2% increase.
These data not only provide a clear perspective on the current state of the healthcare system in Europe, but also raise questions about the sustainability of such expenses in the long term and the impact they will have on future public health policies.
Source: MiMub in Spanish
