National health expenditure trends
Key links
Snapshot: National health expenditure trends, 2024
Data tables: ºìÁì½í¹Ï±¨ care spending (ZIP)
Summary: ºìÁì½í¹Ï±¨ Expenditure Data in Brief (PDF)
Contact:
November 7, 2024 — National health expenditure trends, 2024 — the 28th edition of the annual publication on health expenditure trends — provides detailed information on health care spending in Canada using the National ºìÁì½í¹Ï±¨ Expenditure Database (NHEX).
This year’s release presents finalized 2022 actual health expenditures and preliminary estimates for 2023 and 2024. National health expenditure trends forecasts are based on main estimates and budgets for the public sector.
Note: Preliminary estimates are subject to revision when actual data becomes available in subsequent years.
On this page:
Key findings
- Total health care spending in Canada is expected to reach $372 billion in 2024, or $9,054 per Canadian.
- It is anticipated that health expenditures will represent 12.4% of Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024. Excluding the 2020 and 2021 pandemic period, this is the highest ratio ever reached.
- Total health care spending in Canada is expected to increase by 5.7% in 2024, after a rise of 4.5% in 2023 and 1.7% in 2022.
- Hospital expenditures are projected to increase by 6.3% in 2023 and 6.1% in 2024. Physician expenditures are projected to increase by 7.5% in 2023 and 4.4% in 2024. Total drug expenditures are projected to increase by 5.6% in 2023 and 3.8% in 2024.
- Total private-sector health expenditures are projected to increase by 6.2% in 2023 and 6.1% in 2024. Private-sector spending is composed mainly of out-of-pocket spending and private, voluntary health insurance payments.
- Among 38 countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), in 2022 (the latest year for which comparable data is available), Canada had one of the highest amounts of per capita spending, at CA$8,119 — less than Sweden (CA$8,314) and France (CA$8,212), and more than Australia (CA$8,073) and New Zealand (CA$7,463).
Featured material
National health expenditure trends, 2024
National health expenditure trends, including share of total health expenditure by age group, health care spending category and more
Data in brief
A summary of preliminary estimates of health expenditures for 2023 and 2024, and actual health spending figures for 2022
Additional material
Infographics
An overview of how health care money is spent and on whom, and where the money comes from, as well as comparative expenditure data at the provincial/territorial and Canada levels
Methodology notes
NHEX definitions, data sources, limitations and revisions to help you understand the data and interpret the analysis in the report
Technical note
Public health, and community mental health and addictions services spending: Information on how public health, and community mental health and addictions services spending by governments and government agencies is captured
Chartbooks
Contact us to request our chartbooks:
- ºìÁì½í¹Ï±¨ Expenditures in the Provinces and Territories — Provincial and Territorial Chartbook, 2024
- ºìÁì½í¹Ï±¨ Expenditures in the Private Sector — Private-Sector Chartbook, 2024
- How Canada Compares Internationally: A ºìÁì½í¹Ï±¨ Care Spending Perspective — International Chartbook, 2024
Media release
New data from ºìÁì½í¹Ï±¨estimates that in 2024, health care spending in Canada is expected to increase by 5.7%, after rising 4.5% in 2023 and 1.7% in 2022.
Infographics
Where is most of the money being spent?
Who is paying for these services?
Has health care spending on seniors changed?
ºìÁì½í¹Ï±¨ care spending data tables
Full data tables
Macro-level health expenditure data tables, by province and territory and by year
Individual data tables
Appendices A to D
Series A
Series D: Expenditure by use of funds in province/territory
D2: Private-sector expenditures (XLSX)
D3: Public-sector expenditures (XLSX)
D4: Provincial/territorial government expenditures (XLSX)
Series E: Provincial/territorial government expenditure by age and sex
Series G
Historical reports
Related resources
Key links
Snapshot: National health expenditure trends, 2024
Data tables: ºìÁì½í¹Ï±¨ care spending (ZIP)
Summary: ºìÁì½í¹Ï±¨ Expenditure Data in Brief (PDF)
Contact:
How to cite:
Canadian Institute for ºìÁì½í¹Ï±¨ Information. National health expenditure trends. Accessed April 3, 2025.
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