From cutting-edge medical hubs to under-resourced health systems, access to care varies dramatically around the world. Healthcare statistics by country give us a clear picture of how nations compare in outcomes, coverage, and spending.

In this article, we break down the latest global healthcare data, country by country. You’ll learn how different healthcare systems compare and what that means for affordability, access, and overall health outcomes worldwide.

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United States

The U.S. healthcare system is one of the most expensive in the world—but higher spending doesn’t always lead to better patient outcomes. Americans are living shorter lives, managing more chronic conditions, and paying more out-of-pocket compared to those in other high-income countries.

What percentage of U.S. adults have chronic conditions?

Roughly 30.4% of U.S. adults live with at least one chronic condition, such as diabetes, heart disease, or arthritis. These long-term illnesses drive up healthcare spending and place a heavy burden on the American healthcare system.

How does the U.S. healthcare system rank globally among wealthy countries?

Among 10 high-income countries, the United States ranks last in overall healthcare performance. Despite leading the world in healthcare spending, the U.S. falls behind in key areas like access, equity, and health outcomes. In short, Americans are paying more—but getting less.

What are the top four causes of death in the United States?

The leading causes of death in the U.S. are:

Cardiovascular Disease (heart attack + stroke)
Dementia
Diabetes
Cancer

These conditions account for a large share of deaths each year, and many are closely tied to lifestyle, aging, and access to preventive care.

What is the average life expectancy in the United States?

As of 2021, the average life expectancy in the U.S. dropped to 76.1 years. This is a steep decline from its 2014 peak of 78.9 years—wiping out nearly three decades of progress. This drop reflects growing concerns around chronic illness, health inequities, and access to care.

By what percentage has healthcare spending increased as a share of U.S. gross domestic product between 1960 and 2022?

Healthcare spending in the U.S. has tripled—from just 5% of GDP in 1960 to over 18% in 2022. Despite this growth, the return on investment—measured by outcomes and access—remains disappointing.

What is the current average healthcare spending per person in the United States?

The U.S. spends over $12,000 per person on healthcare each year—the highest per capita spending in the world. Yet, outcomes like life expectancy and chronic disease rates show that Americans aren’t getting better healthcare for the extra cost.

Canada

Canada’s universal healthcare system provides widespread access to primary care and preventive services. When reviewing healthcare statistics by country, Canada consistently scores well on coverage and life expectancy.

What percentage of Canadians have a regular healthcare provider?

In 2021, 85.5% of Canadians reported having a regular healthcare provider. This widespread access to primary care is one of the foundations of Canada’s healthcare system. Preventive care ensures earlier diagnoses, better chronic condition management, and fewer emergency visits.

How many hospitals are there in Canada?

As of 2023, Canada had 1,017 hospitals across the country, with the most hospitals located in Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta. This wide network supports the country’s universal healthcare model, ensuring care is available from coast to coast.

How prevalent is multimorbidity among Canadians aged 65 and older?

In 2021, 47.7% of Canadians aged 65 and older reported living with two or more chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, or arthritis. This rising multimorbidity rate highlights the growing demand for accessible long-term care for Canada’s aging population.

How does Canada’s life expectancy compare globally?

As of September 2024, Canada’s life expectancy at birth is 82.72 years, placing it 20th in the world. This impressive ranking reflects the country’s focus on preventive care, public health, and access to medical services.

Brazil

Brazil’s public healthcare system, known as SUS (Sistema Único de Saúde), is one of the largest universal healthcare programs in the world. It provides care to millions, but the system still faces challenges with hospital capacity, staffing, and health outcomes.

How does Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS) serve its population?

Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS) provides healthcare to around 72% of the population, and is the main source of medical services for most Brazilians. It offers free access to everything from routine checkups to emergency care. While the system is a lifeline for millions, underfunding and resource gaps still impact the quality and consistency of care across regions.

What was the density of hospital beds in Brazil in 2022?

In 2022, Brazil had 2.1 hospital beds for every 1,000 people. This is lower than the average in many other middle- and high-income countries, which can place additional pressure on hospitals—especially during public health emergencies.

What is the life expectancy at birth in Brazil?

In 2022, life expectancy in Brazil was 70.3 years for men and 76.6 years for women. These figures reflect steady improvements over past decades, but still fall short compared to many other countries. Factors like income inequality, limited access in rural areas, and the long-term effects of COVID-19 continue to influence overall health outcomes.

How many people were employed in the healthcare and social assistance sector in Brazil in 2022?

In 2022, Brazil had 2.4 physicians and 0.96 community health workers per 1,000 people. While physician density is fairly strong for a middle-income country, community health workers form the backbone of Brazil’s public health response.

United Kingdom

The UK’s healthcare system, led by the National Health Service (NHS), is publicly funded and provides free care at the point of use. While the NHS is known for its universal coverage and strong primary care network, rising demand, workforce shortages, and aging infrastructure continue to strain the system.

What percentage of the UK’s GDP was spent on healthcare in 2023?

Healthcare made up 10.9% of the UK’s GDP in 2023—slightly lower than the year before. This figure is relatively modest compared to countries like the U.S.

How many physicians per 1,000 people are there in the UK?

In 2022, the UK had 3.2 physicians per 1,000 people. Staffing shortages continue to affect healthcare access and wait times, especially in primary care.

What was the life expectancy at birth in the UK?

Between 2021 and 2023, life expectancy at birth in the UK was 78.8 years for males and 82.8 years for females. While these numbers are fairly high, growth in life expectancy has stalled in recent years.

How many hospital beds are available per 1,000 people in the UK?

In 2021, the UK had 2.35 hospital beds per 1,000 people—one of the lowest ratios among high-income nations. This limited capacity puts pressure on hospitals, especially during flu season or public health emergencies.

Germany

Germany’s healthcare system is built on universal coverage and a mix of public and private providers. Most residents are covered through statutory health insurance, which ensures broad access to care without high out-of-pocket costs.

How many people in Germany are covered by statutory health insurance?

Around 89% of Germany’s population is covered by statutory health insurance, offered through 96 different public insurance organizations. This system guarantees access to essential healthcare services with low out-of-pocket costs.

How many doctors practice in Germany?

In 2023, there were 428,474 practicing doctors in Germany—a 1.7% increase from the year before. This steady growth helps Germany keep healthcare accessible across urban and rural areas.

How much does Germany spend on healthcare per year?

In 2021, Germany spent €474.1 billion on healthcare, which made up 13.2% of its GDP. This investment supports strong healthcare infrastructure, wide access, and high-quality care.

France

France offers universal coverage and affordable healthcare access through a mix of public and private providers. It’s often considered one of the best performers in healthcare statistics by country rankings.

How prevalent are unhealthy behaviors in France?

Unhealthy habits remain a concern in France– over 70% of adults eat too few fruits and vegetables, and more than 80% consume too much salt. Many also exceed recommended limits for alcohol intake, increasing the risk of heart disease and other chronic conditions. These lifestyle factors pose challenges for a healthcare system otherwise known for its strong preventive care efforts.

What is the current life expectancy in France?

Life expectancy at birth in France is 82.5 years—85.4 years for women and 79.3 years for men. These numbers place France among the top countries globally for longevity. Despite lifestyle-related health risks, the healthcare system continues to support strong outcomes for most of the population.

What is the current health expenditure per capita in France?

In 2021, France spent about US$6,330 (PPP) per person on healthcare, putting it above the EU average. This spending supports broad access to services, low out-of-pocket costs, and strong public health infrastructure.

How does France’s healthcare coverage compare to other countries?

France offers universal health insurance coverage and a broad benefits package, increasing access to essential care. Most services are heavily subsidized, with low out-of-pocket costs for patients. This high level of accessibility puts France among the top performers globally when it comes to healthcare coverage.

India

India’s healthcare system features both public and private services, with growing efforts to expand access through government programs and insurance schemes. While spending and physician availability remain lower than in many other countries, coverage is gradually improving.

What percentage of India’s GDP was allocated to government health expenditure?

In 2023–24, India allocated 1.9% of its GDP to public health spending—below global averages. Limited funding puts more pressure on public hospitals and rural health services.

How many physicians are there per 1,000 people in India?

As of 2019, India had about 0.93 physicians per 1,000 people—well below the global average. This shortage affects access to care, especially in rural and underserved areas.

How many people in India have health insurance coverage?

As of July 2023, around 700 million people in India—about 50% of the population—were covered under the AB-PMJAY and other state-run insurance programs. This marks major progress in expanding access to care across the country.

What was the total cost for health insurance in India during 2023-24?

In 2023–24, total health insurance premiums in India reached ₹1.17 trillion. This growing figure reflects rising demand for accessible healthcare coverage.

Japan

Japan ranks among the world’s healthiest countries, with universal healthcare and a strong focus on disease prevention. Healthcare statistics by country highlight its success in longevity and chronic disease management.

What percentage of adults in Japan have hypertension?

As of 2023, around 25% of adults in Japan live with hypertension. The healthcare system places strong emphasis on early detection and routine monitoring to manage chronic conditions and reduce long-term complications.

What is the density of physicians in Japan?

As of 2022, Japan had about 24 physicians for every 10,000 people. While this is slightly below the average for other high-income countries, Japan’s healthcare system relies heavily on efficiency and preventive care to meet demand.

How many medical institutions are there in Japan?

As of 2023, Japan had approximately 8,300 hospitals and 100,000 clinics across the country. This dense network of medical facilities ensures accessible care, especially to its aging population.

What is Japan’s health expenditure as a percentage of GDP?

In 2021, Japan spent 10.82% of its GDP on healthcare. While spending is moderate compared to some nations, Japan’s focus on preventive care and efficiency keeps the system sustainable.

China

China has rapidly expanded its healthcare system, enrolling over a billion citizens in basic medical insurance. Its rising health workforce and infrastructure reflect major progress in healthcare statistics by country.

What is the life expectancy at birth in China as of 2025?

As of 2025, China’s life expectancy at birth is projected to be 77.81 years. This marks steady improvement over past decades, reflecting better access to care, better living conditions, and national public health efforts.

How many physicians are there per 1,000 people in China?

In 2023, China had about 3.4 physicians per 1,000 people—an encouraging sign for such a large population. This ratio is on par with many high-income countries and reflects China’s investment in training and expanding its healthcare workforce.

How many people in China are covered by basic medical insurance?

As of 2023, about 1.36 billion people in China were enrolled in the basic medical insurance program. That’s more than 95% of the population—making it one of the largest healthcare coverage systems in the world.

What is the density of hospital beds in China?

In 2022, China had 6.7 hospital beds per 1,000 people—a high ratio compared to many other countries. This strong hospital infrastructure supports a system that serves over a billion people.

Australia

Australia runs a mixed public-private healthcare system, providing universal access to essential services through Medicare. The country continues to boost healthcare funding, support a large workforce, and prioritize population health.

How many people work in Australia’s healthcare and social assistance industry?

In 2022, nearly 2.1 million Australians worked in healthcare and social services. This massive workforce keeps the system efficient and accessible.

What was the total health expenditure in Australia for 2022–23?

Australia spent an estimated $252.5 billion on health in 2022–23—a slight decrease of 0.3% from the year before. While spending dipped, overall investment remains high as the country continues to support its public system and growing healthcare needs.

What is the leading cause of disease burden in Australia?

According to the 2023 Burden of Disease Study, cardiovascular disease, cancers, and mental health conditions are among the top contributors to Australia’s overall disease burden. These issues affect millions and drive much of the demand on the healthcare system.

How many Australians aged 15 and over rated their health as excellent or very good in 2021?

In 2021, 56% of people aged 15+ rated their health as excellent or very good– a strong indicator of the population’s satisfaction and well-being.

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