OECD statistics: healthcare spending on the rise

OECD figures released in June 2003 show that spending on healthcare in most European countries over the past decade has outpaced overall growth in GDP. The main driving force for the higher spending are mounting pharmaceutical bills as costly new drugs are introduced. But the overall length of time that patients stay in hospitals is on the decrease.

There is a trend for lower consumption of alcohol particularly in countries that have previously had high consumption levels such as France, Italy and Spain. Of particular concern is the situation in Ireland where consumption doubled between 1970 and 2001.

The study also notes that health gains made from cutting the numbers of smokers in Europe will be counterbalanced by the long-term impact on health of obesity which has dramatically increased since 1980.

OECD Health data.