In 2021, the European Union (EU) saw a significant increase in public and private spending on preventive care, accounting for 6.0% of total health expenditure. This was up from 2.9% and 3.5% in 2019 and 2020 respectively. The rise in expenditure can be attributed to the implementation of preventive care measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including immunization programs that began in 2021.
The main goal of preventive care is to reduce or eliminate the occurrence and severity of injuries, illnesses, and their consequences. Data shows that Austria, Denmark, and the Netherlands had the highest proportions of preventive care spending as a percentage of total health expenditure in 2021, with percentages of 10.3%, 8.9%, and 8.7% respectively. On the other hand, Malta, Slovakia, and Poland had the lowest percentages at 1.2%, 1.6%, and 2.1% respectively.
In terms of per capita expenditure on preventive care, Austria, Denmark, and the Netherlands were also among the top three spenders in the EU in 2021, with expenditures of €566.4, €555.1, and €476.9 per inhabitant respectively. On the other hand