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Countries with the highest health care expenditures
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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According to a recent report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development on the health of the population of 34 member countries of this organization, the American website 24/7 Wall St. has selected ten countries that spend the most money on health care.
However, budget subsidies and high expenditures on health care do not lead to an improvement in the health of the nation. Thus, the United States spends quite large amounts, but has one of the shortest life expectancies among OECD members. While Japan, spending only $2,878 per person, leads among long-living countries. High expenditures on the health of citizens also do not mean adequate care and treatment.
Often in countries where more money is allocated for medical care, citizens are offered to undergo expensive tests and procedures. The prices of medicines are also high in such countries.
In many countries with high health care costs, the private sector dominates the public sector. On the other hand, in countries such as Denmark, Austria and Luxembourg, more than 84% of health care costs are paid by the government.
The Ten Countries with the Highest Healthcare Spending
1. USA
Total health expenditure per capita: $7,960
Life expectancy: 78.2 years (ranked 27th)
America spends $2,600 more on health care than Norway, which ranks second on the list. And only 47.7% of that amount is paid for by the state, one of the lowest rates among developed countries. Most of that money is spent on pharmaceuticals and various tests. The country has a noticeably low number of doctors and hospital beds per capita.
2. Norway
Total health expenditure per capita: $5,352
Life expectancy: 81.0 years (ranked 10th)
Norway has the most nationalized healthcare system of any developed country, after Denmark. The state pays 84.1% of the costs of healthcare, which is quite affordable. There are 4 therapists per 1,000 people. Despite the high costs of the state system, residents have to pay $800 per year out of pocket.
3. Switzerland
Total health expenditure per capita: $5,344
Life expectancy: 82.3 years (2nd place)
Switzerland spends 11.6% of its GDP on health care. Much of the Swiss health care system is private, so citizens pay about 30.9% of that out of pocket – about $1,650 per year.
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4. Netherlands
Total health expenditure per capita: $4,914
Life expectancy: 80.6 years (14th place)
The Dutch spend 12% of their GDP on health. Overall spending increased by 16.4% from 2008 to 2009. Despite this, citizens pay only $227 a year, with the rest of the amount being covered by the state.
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5. Luxembourg
Total health expenditure per capita: $4,808
Life expectancy: 80.7 years (12th place)
Health care costs account for 7.8% of GDP. The state pays 84% of the total. However, the high health costs are also explained by the fact that the population of this tiny European country does not lead a very healthy lifestyle. One person drinks 15.5 liters of beer per year – the highest amount among developed countries.
6. Canada
Total health expenditure per capita: $4,478
Life expectancy: 80.7 years (12th place)
In Canada, the largest amount of money is spent on inpatient treatment. Medicines are also particularly expensive in this country: every year, patients spend about $743 on them. This is the second result among the most developed countries in the world.
7. Denmark
Total health expenditure per capita: $4,348
Life expectancy: 79.0 years (ranked 25th)
Most of the costs of health care in Denmark are covered by the state. Denmark has a low number of consulting doctors, hospital beds per capita, and short length of stay for patients in hospital.
8. Austria
Total health expenditure per capita: $4,298
Life expectancy: 80.4 years (16th place)
Austria spends about $4,300 per person per year on health care. That's 11% of the country's GDP. About 77% of the costs are covered by the public health care system, and citizens only have to pay $600 per year out of their own pocket.
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9. Germany
Total health expenditure per capita: $4,218
Life expectancy: 80.3 years (ranked 18th)
In addition to the fact that public health care costs in Germany are among the highest, they are also the most reasonable among OECD member countries. Germany has the highest number of doctors and hospital beds per patient. Also, on average, a patient can stay in hospital for 7.5 days, which is a good indicator.
10. France
Total health expenditure per capita: $3,978
Life expectancy: 81.5 years (8th place)
Caring for the health of its fellow citizens costs the state in France $4,000 per person per year, which is about 11.8% of the country's GDP. The government and insurance companies cover almost all of the costs of health care, so the average French person spends very little. Residents pay only $290 per year, which is 7.3% of the total cost of health care.