Health at a Glance provides a comprehensive set of indicators on population health and health system performance across OECD members and key emerging economies. These cover health status, risk factors for health, access to and quality of healthcare, and health system resources. Analysis draws from the latest comparable official national statistics and other sources.
Health systems are under financial pressure.
In 2019, OECD countries allocated 8.8% of GDP to healthcare, holding steady until a spike to 9.7% in 2021. Projections for 2022 suggest a decline to 9.2%, reflecting reduced pandemic-related spending and inflation. Per capita health spending averaged just under USD 5,000, with variations from USD 12,555 in the United States to USD 1,181 in Mexico (adjusted for purchasing power). Despite a growing health workforce, concerns about shortages intensify, driven by an aging population, with 18% aged 65 and over on average in 2021. In some countries, high inflation has impacted health sector wages, posing challenges in attracting and retaining professionals. Analyzing longer trends, Central and Eastern European countries experienced significant real wage growth since 2011, while Finland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom had stagnant or declining wages.
Core population health indicators show that societies have not yet fully recovered from the pandemic
Between 2019 and 2021, OECD countries saw a 0.7-year drop in average life expectancy. While 2022 data hint at recovery in some nations, life expectancy is still below pre-pandemic levels in 28 countries.
Circulatory diseases caused over 25% of deaths; cancer, 20%; and COVID-19, 7% in 2021. Nearly one-third of deaths could be prevented with better prevention and healthcare. Over one-third of those aged 16+ reported a longstanding health issue, with socio-economic gaps: 43% in the lowest income quintile vs. 27% in the richest.
Population mental health slightly improves post-pandemic, but issues persist: 2022 depression symptoms are at least 20% higher than pre-pandemic levels.
Unhealthy lifestyles and poor environments cause millions of people to die prematurely.
Obesity rates rise in most OECD countries, with 54% of adults overweight or obese, and 18% obese on average. Only 15% consume five or more portions of fruit and vegetables daily, and 40% engage in at least 150 minutes of weekly physical activity.
Daily smoking rates decline, but 16% of those aged 15+ still smoke, and e-cigarette use is increasing. Heavy episodic drinking is reported by 19% of adults, rising to over 30% in Germany, Luxembourg, the UK, and Denmark.
Ambient air pollution-related premature deaths decreased by 31% on average between 2000 and 2019 but still result in an estimated 29 deaths per 100,000 people on average.
OECD (2023), Health at a Glance 2023: OECD Indicators, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/7a7afb35-en.
Published in GI-Mail 01/2024 (English edition).
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