Spending on health care in the OECD

The definitions of health and health care expenditure are laid down internationally so that countries can be compared. Because the comparisons apply to a period of more than 35 years, most countries have had a break in their series at some point. The breaks in the series per country are: The Netherlands (2004-2005); Belgium (1994-1995); Germany (1991-1992); France (2002-2003); Denmark (2002-2003); Turkey (1998-1999); There is no break indicated for the United States in the OECD figures.

The internationally comparable figures are compiled according to the System of Health Accounts of the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), Eurostat (the statistical bureau of the European Union), and the WHO (World Health Organisation). These figures make it possible to compare spending on health care between countries. The international figure includes health care, much of the care for the elderly and the disabled and mental health care. The figure does not include home help, social work, social-cultural work, social services, youth welfare work and child care. These activities are included in the national figures about spending on care.