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Healthcare costs rise further in Switzerland

Statistics published today show a further rise in Swiss healthcare costs.

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In 2016, spending on healthcare rose by 3.8% reaching over CHF 80 billion, 12.2% of GDP. In 2015, Swiss healthcare spending was equal to 11.9% of GDP.

The challenge of rising healthcare costs is not confined to Switzerland. In the UK in 2015, healthcare costs rose 3.6% to reach 9.9% of GDP.

Switzerland has a system of compulsory private health insurance, however the government and employers covered close to 35% of total Swiss health costs in 2016.

A World Health Organisation study in 2012 found Switzerland to have the highest out of pocket healthcare spending (US$ 2,412).

Across the OECD, rising spending is largely driven by new technology, higher expectations, and ageing populations.

An OECD report says that public expenditure on health and long-term care in OECD countries is set to increase to as much as 14% of GDP by 2060, unless governments can contain costs.

The OECD recommends systems to control overspending, increased funding via “sin taxes”1 to reduce the reliance on payroll taxes, a declining revenue source as populations age, and greater focus on health promotion and disease prevention – non-communicable diseases, partly driven by lifestyle, are the largest burden on healthcare across the OECD.

“Sin taxes” are taxes applied to products associated with disease, such as tobacco, alcohol and certain foods.

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About Le News
Le News
The newspaper Le News is a free, quality, local English language newspaper launched on 31 October 2013. Le News fills a gap in local Swiss media for the numerous English-speakers living and visiting Switzerland. In late January 2015 we decided to put our print medium on hold and focus on our digital media presence.
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