Healthcare spending in Austria rose above average in 2023, according to Statistik Austria. A total of 52.8 billion euros were spent on health from both public and private sectors. This is 2.5 billion euros or 4.9 percent more than in 2022, despite the significant decrease in pandemic-related expenses. The share of healthcare spending in economic performance remained stable at 11.2 percent, keeping Austria at the forefront internationally.

"In 2023, pandemic-related expenses decreased significantly again, but higher expenditures for personnel, energy and operating costs, as well as higher fees, caused expenses to rise sharply," explained Tobias Thomas, Director General of Statistik Austria, on Thursday in a press release. Expenditures increased in all health sectors, with only prevention expenditures declining. The main reason for this is the significant decrease in COVID testing costs, which amounted to around 1.4 billion euros.

Public Sector: 76.6 Percent

The public sector accounted for 76.7 percent of ongoing healthcare costs, with 23.3 percent borne by private households, voluntary health insurance, non-profit private organisations, and companies. Long-term care is taking up an increasing share of healthcare costs. In 2023, expenditures for this rose from 6.76 billion to 7.35 billion euros.

Healthcare Spending Elsewhere

In an international comparison, Austria ranked sixth out of the 38 OECD countries in 2023 with healthcare expenditures amounting to 11.2 percent of GDP. The USA, with 16.7 percent, had by far the highest share of healthcare spending, followed by Switzerland (12) and Germany (11.8). The OECD average for ongoing healthcare spending was 9.2 percent of GDP.

(APA/Red)

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