From high mortality to low expenditure - Critical realities revealed by EU report

Romania continues to face a fragile health system, ranking at the top of the European Union in the number of avoidable and treatable deaths, according to the latest EU Health Status Report 2023. With health expenditure per capita among the lowest in the EU and only one in three Romanians paying for health insurance, the country's healthcare system faces significant challenges.

Most preventable and treatable deaths in Europe

According to the State of Health in the European Union 2023 report, in 2020, Romania had the highest number of deaths from both preventable and treatable causes in the European Union, according to the report. With 358 preventable deaths per 100,000 inhabitants and 235 treatable deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, the country is in a critical situation, far exceeding the EU average.

Reduced spending, reduced life expectancy

Romania allocates only 6.5% of GDP to health, and health spending per capita is well below the EU average. Life expectancy has fallen significantly due to the pandemic, to 5.4 years below the EU average. Low resource allocation and lack of health insurance coverage contribute to an alarming situation.

Cancer mortality and delayed access to new therapies

The report reveals that cancer mortality in Romania has surpassed the EU average and that access to new therapies is delayed, putting the country in a poor position in managing cancer conditions. The low costs of caring for cancer patients raise new questions about the sustainability of the healthcare system.

Slowly recovering life expectancy and high extra payments by the population

Life expectancy in pandemic-hit Romania is recovering slowly. At 21%, out-of-pocket expenditure on health is well above the EU average and additional payments for health services are the highest in the EU, affecting in particular the uninsured population.

In the context of these critical realities, Romania faces urgent challenges in improving its health system, and the EU report highlights the need for concrete measures to ensure access to quality healthcare and to improve the health of the population.