Greece leads Europe in unmet medical needs due to high healthcare costs, according to the "Health at a Glance 2024" report by the EU and OECD.
The findings reveal that over 11.6% of Greeks are unable to access medical services due to financial barriers, the highest rate in Europe. In comparison, the EU average for unmet medical needs stands at just 2.4%.
High Private Healthcare Spending
Greek households shoulder some of the highest private healthcare costs in Europe, with private payments accounting for over 30% of total healthcare expenditure. This figure doubles the EU average of 15% and is among the highest in the OECD. By contrast, countries like France and Luxembourg see private payments contribute less than 10% of healthcare funding.
Public health expenditure in Greece remains notably low, covering just 10% of total healthcare costs—one of the smallest proportions in Europe. This leaves many Greeks reliant on out-of-pocket payments or private insurance, contributing to significant disparities in healthcare access.
Unmet Needs Disproportionately Affect Low-Income Groups
The report highlights how financial strain disproportionately impacts Greece's most vulnerable populations. Nearly 23% of Greeks in the lowest income bracket reported unmet medical needs due to costs, compared to 3.4% of the wealthiest citizens. Excluding those who did not seek care, over one in five people (21%) reported unmet medical needs in 2023—a stark contrast to the EU average.
Unmet needs in Greece extend beyond general medical care, though dental services—often requiring full out-of-pocket payments—are less affected than in other EU nations. Only 8% of unmet needs in Greece pertain to dental care, compared to a European average of 3.4% in 2023.
Greece vs. Estonia: Unmet Needs and Waiting Lists
While Greece faces the highest financial barriers, Estonia struggles with long waiting lists, which affect 12% of its population. In Estonia, unmet needs due to cost remain minimal at 0.4%, compared to Greece's 9.4%.
Staffing Shortages and Geographical Disparities
The report warns of a growing healthcare workforce crisis across Europe, with 20 countries, including Greece, reporting doctor shortages in 2022-2023. Greece also has the lowest number of hospital nurses per capita among EU nations, despite a rapid increase in the number of doctors over the past decade. Meanwhile, urban centers concentrate the majority of healthcare professionals, leaving rural areas underserved.
The aging health workforce compounds these challenges, as more than one-third of EU doctors and a quarter of nurses are over 55 years old and nearing retirement.
European Context
Private healthcare payments exceed 30% in countries such as Greece, Lithuania, and Bulgaria, while in non-EU neighbours like North Macedonia and Albania, the figure climbs to 40-60%. Public health spending in Greece and Hungary ranks among the lowest, covering only a fraction of total costs, compared to the Nordic countries, where state funding covers over 85%.
Across Europe, unmet medical needs rose slightly post-pandemic, from 2% in 2021 to 2.4% in 2023, as healthcare systems grappled with resource shortages and delayed treatments. However, Greece’s financial barriers far surpass this trend, emphasising the urgent need for healthcare reforms.
(Source: In.gr)