Published: November 29 2023
Hungary ranks near the bottom for healthcare spending in the European Union for the second consecutive year. This is a concerning trend as healthcare spending plays a crucial role in providing quality healthcare services to the population.
Lowest healthcare spending in the EU
Hungary has one of the lowest levels of healthcare spending in the European Union. In 2022, healthcare spending in Hungary accounted for only 4.7% of GDP, which is significantly lower than the EU average of 8.1%. This places Hungary in the bottom ranks alongside countries like Bulgaria, Lithuania, and Estonia.
Decrease in healthcare spending
Healthcare spending across the EU has seen a decline from 2021 to 2022. Hungary experienced a decrease of 0.9% in healthcare spending, one of the largest decreases among EU countries. This decrease poses challenges for the healthcare system in providing adequate resources and services to the population.
Impact on rankings
Hungary's position in the healthcare spending rankings has worsened compared to the previous year. Only Ireland and Bulgaria spent less on healthcare than Hungary in 2022. This indicates a pressing need for increased healthcare funding in order to improve the accessibility and quality of healthcare services in the country.
Future outlook
Given the modest increase of 5.3% in spending on preventive medicine, it is unlikely that Hungary will experience a significant improvement in the rankings next year. Addressing the issue of low healthcare spending requires comprehensive strategies and increased investment in healthcare infrastructure, resources, and services.
Questions & Answers
Where does Hungary rank in terms of healthcare spending in the EU? Hungary ranks near the bottom for the second year in a row in terms of healthcare spending in the EU.
What percentage of GDP does Hungary spend on illness and health? Hungary's spending on illness and health accounts for 4.7% of its GDP.
Which EU countries have the highest healthcare spending? The EU countries with the highest healthcare spending are France (10%), Germany (9.7%), Slovenia (8.6%), Austria (8.5%), and Belgium (7.8%).
Which EU countries have the lowest healthcare spending? The EU countries with the lowest healthcare spending are Bulgaria (4.2%), Ireland (4.6%), Hungary (4.7%), Lithuania (4.7%), and Estonia (4.8%).
Has healthcare spending in Hungary decreased in recent years? Yes, healthcare spending in Hungary has decreased. It fell by 0.9% from 2021 to 2022.
Which EU country had the largest decrease in healthcare spending? Bulgaria had the largest decrease in healthcare spending, with a decrease of 1.1%.
Which EU countries reported an increase in healthcare spending? Only Luxembourg (0.3%) and Slovenia (0.1%) reported an increase in healthcare spending.
Is Hungary expected to improve its ranking in healthcare spending next year? No, Hungary is not expected to make a big leap in the rankings next year as spending on preventive medicine was only 5.3% higher than in 2022.
