Italy‘s public Health Expenditure: Falling Behind in 2024

In 2024, Italy ranks 14th out of 27 European countries within the OECD area for per capita public health expenditure, and last among the G7 nations. Italian public health expenditure currently stands at 6.3% of GDP, which is lower than both the OECD average (7.1%) and the European average (6.9%). This represents a total gap of €43 billion compared to other European countries.

“The underfunding of Italian healthcare is now a structural issue,” explains Nino Cartabellotta, President of the Gimbe Foundation. “This generates growing tensions within Parliament and puts all regions in difficulty, struggling to guarantee essential levels of assistance and maintain budgets. Ultimately, citizens bear the brunt of this, facing uncontrolled waiting lists, overwhelmed emergency rooms, a shortage of family doctors, increasing territorial and social inequalities, and a growing need to pay for their own visits and health services. In 2024, 5.8 million people – almost 1 in 10 – were forced to do so.”

OECD Data Analysis

In preparation for the 2026 Budget Law, the Gimbe Foundation analyzed Italian public health expenditure in comparison to OECD countries. The analysis utilizes the OECD Health Statistics dataset, updated on July 30, 2025. The comparison considers both the percentage of GDP and per capita expenditure, measured at current prices and adjusted for purchasing power parity. Its important to note that public health expenditure encompasses various financing methods, with general taxation being the most common in Italy.