Health systems in the OECD are experiencing renewed financial pressure due to competing priorities for public funding, revealed the 2023 edition of OECD Health at a Glance. Healthcare spending in OECD countries corresponded to 9.2% of GDP in 2022, down from 9.7% in 2021, but still exceeding the 2019 levels.
HEALTHCARE SPENDING
On average, per capita health spending in OECD countries reached nearly USD 5,000 in 2022. The United States led the pack with USD 12,555 per capita spending, followed by Switzerland with USD 8,049 and Germany with USD 8,011. On the other end of the spectrum, Mexico, Colombia, and Costa Rica had the lowest per capita health spending.
THE DEMAND FOR SERVICES
OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann emphasized the increasing demand for services due to population ageing and unhealthy lifestyles. He stressed the need for health systems to provide better and timelier access to affordable healthcare while addressing the lingering effects of COVID-19 on mental and physical health.
DIGITAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION
The 2023 edition of Health at a Glance includes a special focus on digital health and its potential to transform health systems. The COVID-19 pandemic response accelerated the digital transformation in OECD countries, but much work remains to be done.
POPULATION HEALTH INDICATORS
Core population health indicators reveal that societies have not yet fully recovered from the pandemic, with many people still struggling mentally and physically. Life expectancy fell by 0.7 years on average across OECD countries between 2019 and 2021.
HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE WORKFORCE
The health and social care workforce continues to grow, but concerns about shortages are becoming more acute. Worsening working conditions have weakened the attractiveness of healthcare professions, and high inflation has recently eroded wages in the health sector.
CAUSES OF DEATH
In 2021, heart attacks, strokes, and other circulatory diseases caused more than one in four deaths, while COVID-19 caused 7% of all deaths. Almost one-third of all deaths could have been avoided through more effective and timely prevention and healthcare interventions.
BARRIERS TO HEALTHCARE ACCESS
Despite universal health coverage in most OECD countries, barriers to healthcare access persist. Gaps in financial protection make healthcare difficult to afford for low-income households, and out-of-pocket payments make up just under a fifth of health spending across the OECD.
WAITING TIMES FOR NON-EMERGENCY SURGERY
Waiting times for non-emergency surgery, a longstanding issue in many countries, were exacerbated by the pandemic. This highlights the need for health systems to improve their resilience and preparedness for future crises.