European Healthcare Expenditure on Long-Term Care (Social) by Government Schemes and Compulsory Contributory Health Care Financing Schemes by Country

In 2023, the Netherlands led European countries with healthcare expenditure on long-term care at 1.25% of GDP. Close behind were Denmark and Finland. Scandinavian countries showed varied growth, with Norway at over 6% year-on-year increase, while Sweden experienced a slight decline. Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia demonstrated notable spending growth, while France, Greece, and Iceland saw limited to no changes. Cyprus topped percentage growth, indicating a surge in expenditure, whereas Iceland reduced spending significantly. The United Kingdom and Portugal exhibited moderate increases.

Future trends to watch include the growing financial burden on Nordic and Baltic states, given their current trajectory of expenditure growth. Policymakers across Europe should focus on sustainable financing strategies to manage increasing demands for long-term care services amid ageing populations. Regional disparities in expenditure growth also highlight the need for targeted policy interventions to address variances in healthcare funding and efficiency. Innovation in care delivery and financing schemes will be crucial to maintain balanced growth across Europe.