Lisbon, July 5, 2024 (Lusa) - Current health expenditure in Portugal increased by 4.7% in 2023, to almost €26.56 billion, according to estimates from the National Statistics Institute (INE) that point to the activity of public and private hospitals and private practices and clinics as having contributed to this growth.

According to the INE 'Health satellite account' figures for 2023, current health expenditure of €26,559.6 million (€2,574.2 'per capita') is equivalent to 10.0% of gross domestic product.

According to the data, current public expenditure (a 3.7% increase) and private expenditure (6.6%) continued to rise due to the growth in the activity of public and private hospitals and private outpatient healthcare providers, such as doctors' and dentists' surgeries and medical clinics with various specialities.

 In 2022, current health expenditure had risen by 5.6%, totalling €25.37 billion, corresponding to 10.5% of GDP and €2,463.4 per capita, said INE, adding that the continuation of the recovery in non-Covid care that began in 2021 was the main cause of this.

HN/ARO // ARO.

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