Health care costs in the Netherlands just under EU average

In 2006, health care costs constituted 8.9 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP), positioning the Netherlands just below the European Union (EU) average of 9.0 percent. France, Germany and Austria were the biggest spenders. They committed more than 10 percent of their GDPs to health care. In the new EU member states, the proportion of the GDP spent on health care was significantly lower. In Romania, Lithuania, Estonia and Poland, it did not exceed 6 percent.

Costs of health care relative to GDP in the EU, 2006

Per capita expenditure on health care in the Netherlands above EU average

Per capita expenditure on health care in the Netherlands approximated 2,800 euro in 2006, i.e. well above the EU average of 2,100 euro. In France, Belgium Austria, Germany and Denmark per capita health care expenditure was about the same as in the Netherlands. With 3,600 euro, Luxembourg spent by far the highest amount per resident on health care. In absolute figures, the new EU member states also spent the lowest amount per resident on health care. With 400 euro, per capita health expenditure was lowest in Romania in 2006, followed by Bulgaria with 600 euro per resident.

Per capita health care costs in the EU, 2006

Laura Voorrips