How does health spending in the U.S. compare to other countries?

Peterson-Kaiser Health System Tracker

Relative to the size of its wealth, the U.S. spends a disproportionate amount on health

Total health expenditures per capita, U.S. dollars, PPP adjusted, 2012

$10 000 United States $9 000 $8 000 $7 000 $6 000 $5 000 $4 000 Switzerland Norway Luxembourg $3 000 $2 000 $1 000 $ $ $10 000 $20 000 $30 000 $40 000 $50 000 $60 000 $70 000 $80 000 $90 000 $100 000

GDP per capita in 2011 (U.S. dollars, PPP adjusted)

Source: Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of 2013 OECD data: "OECD Health Data: Health expenditure and financing: Health expenditure indicators", OECD Health Statistics (database). doi: 10.1787/data-00349-en (Accessed on June 25, 2014). Notes: Because 2012 data was unavailable, 2011 total health expenditures per capita were used for Australia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, and Spain. Health expenditures for Canada, Finland, Iceland, Japan, Slovenia, and Switzerland are estimated values. New Zealand health expenditure data reflect a difference in methodology.

Peterson-Kaiser Health System Tracker

On average, other wealthy countries spend about half as much per person on health than the U.S. spends

Total health expenditures per capita, U.S. dollars, PPP adjusted, 2012

United States Switzerland Netherlands Austria Germany Canada Comparable Country… Belgium France Sweden Australia Japan OECD Average United Kingdom $ $4 460 $8 745 $3 493 $3 289 $1 000 $2 000 $3 000 $4 000 $5 000 $6 000 $7 000 $8 000 $9 000 $10 000 Source: Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of 2013 OECD data: "OECD Health Data: Health expenditure and financing: Health expenditure indicators", OECD Health Statistics (database). doi: 10.1787/data-00349-en (Accessed on June 25, 2014). Notes: Because 2012 data was unavailable, 2011 were used for Australia and the Netherlands. Data for Canada and Switzerland are estimated values.

Peterson-Kaiser Health System Tracker

Since 1980, the gap has widened between U.S. health spending and that of other countries

Total health expenditures as percent of GDP, 1970 – 2012

18% 17% United States 16% 14% 12% 10% 8% 11% Comparable country average 6% 4% 2% 0% 1970 1976 1982 1988 1994 2000 2006 2012

Year

Source: Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of 2013 OECD data: "OECD Health Data: Health expenditure and financing: Health expenditure indicators", OECD Health Statistics (database). doi: 10.1787/data-00349-en (Accessed on June 25, 2014). Notes: Data unavailable for: the Netherlands in 1970, 1971, and 2012; Australia in 1970 and 2012; Germany in 1991; and France from 1971 through 1974, 1976 through 1979; 1981 through 1984, and 1986 through 1989. Break in series in 2003 for Belgium and France and in 2005 for the Netherlands. 2012 data for Canada and Switzerland are estimated values.

Peterson-Kaiser Health System Tracker

U.S. health spending growth was higher during the 1980s, but has been similar since

Average annual growth rate in total health expenditures per capita, U.S. dollars, PPP adjusted

Comparable country average United States 11% 10% 9% 8% 7% 6% 5% 4% 3% 2% 1% 0% 7,1% 10,0% 5,3% 5,3% 5,5% 5,6% 4,2% 3,0% 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010-2012 Source: Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of 2013 OECD data: "OECD Health Data: Health expenditure and financing: Health expenditure indicators", OECD Health Statistics (database). doi: 10.1787/data-00349-en (Accessed on June 25, 2014). Notes: Data unavailable for: Australia and the Netherlands in 2012; France from 1981 through 1984 and 1986 through 1989; and Germany in 1991. OECD reports a break in series for: Belgium in 2003; Canada in 1975 ; France in 2003; and the Netherlands in 2005. Canada and Switzerland data are reported as estimated values for 2012.

Peterson-Kaiser Health System Tracker

In recent years, health spending growth has slowed in the U.S. and in comparable countries

Average annual growth rate in total health expenditures per capita, U.S. dollars, PPP adjusted

Comparable country average United States 8% 7,4% 7% 6,1% 5,8% 6% 5,1% 5% 4,0% 4% 2,9% 3% 2% 1% 0% 2000-2004 2004-2008 2008-2012 Source: Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of 2013 OECD data: "OECD Health Data: Health expenditure and financing: Health expenditure indicators", OECD Health Statistics (database). doi: 10.1787/data-00349-en (Accessed on June 25, 2014). Notes: Data unavailable for: Australia and the Netherlands in 2012; France from 1981 through 1984 and 1986 through 1989; and Germany in 1991. OECD reports a break in series for: Belgium in 2003; Canada in 1975 ; France in 2003; and the Netherlands in 2005. Canada and Switzerland data are reported as estimated values for 2012.

Peterson-Kaiser Health System Tracker

While the U.S. has similar public spending, its private sector spending is triple that of comparable countries

Total health expenditures as percent of GDP by public vs. private spending, 2012

Public Private 20% 15% 9% 10% 3% 3% 3% 4% 3% 2% 3% 3% 1% 2% 3% 5% 8% 8% 8% 8% 9% 8% 9% 8% 8% 8% 8% 6% 0% Australia Sweden Canada Switzerland Japan Comparable Country Average United States Source: Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of 2013 OECD data: "OECD Health Data: Health expenditure and financing: Health expenditure indicators", OECD Health Statistics (database). doi: 10.1787/data-00349-en (Accessed on June 25, 2014). Notes: 2012 data were unavailable for Australia and the Netherlands, so the nearest data were used for 2011 and 2002, respectively. Canada data are estimated values.

Peterson-Kaiser Health System Tracker

The U.S. has increased both public and private sector spending at a faster rate than similar countries

Total health expenditures as % of GDP, 1970 - 2012 in comparable OECD countries

20% 20%

Total health expenditures as % of GDP, 1970 - 2012 in the United States

15% 15% 10% 10% Private Private 5% 5% 0% 1970 1976 1982 1988 Public 1994 2000 2006 2012 0% 1970 Public 1976 1982 1988 1994 2000 2006 2012 Source: Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of 2013 OECD data: "OECD Health Data: Health expenditure and financing: Health expenditure indicators", OECD Health Statistics (database). doi: 10.1787/data-00349-en (Accessed on June 25, 2014). Notes: Breaks in series: Belgium 2003; Canada 1975 ; France 1995, 2003; Sweden 1993; Switzerland 1995, 2008; and the United Kingdom 1997. Canada data are estimated in 2012. Data for Belgium from 1995 - 2002 reflect a difference in methodology. Data unavailable for: the Netherlands 1970, 1971, and 2003 - 2012; Australia in 1970 and 2012; Canada in 2011; Belgium from 1970 -1994; Germany 1991; Switzerland 1970 - 1985; and France from 1971 - 1974, 1976 -1 979; 1981 - 1984, and 1986 - 1989.

Peterson-Kaiser Health System Tracker