17 Countries with Universal Health Care in 2017

Times are changing, and the number of countries with universal health care in 2017 is slowly increasing, so we decided to take a look at what these countries provide for their citizens.

To begin, we should probably answer the question of “what is universal health care?” The best way to describe universal health care or universal health coverage is quality health care that is equally accessible to everyone, regardless of socio-economic status. So, how does universal health care work?With single-payer health care, the government pays for universal health coverage, usually with tax money. Costs are kept down with this system because the government can regulate the price of medical services and drugs. This system also eliminates much of a need for private insurance. In many places, this health care covers pretty much all your medical services, sometimes with the exception of things like eyeglasses or prescription drugs. Image how much better off we’d all be with universal health care. I’d have more money in my pockets, and probably wouldn’t put off going to the doctor like I usually do.

While some countries have options for both private and public health care, the United States is one of the most notorious countries when it comes to health care because it operates like an entirely private system. This is pretty sad considering it’s an economic powerhouse and essentially the only developed nation that finds itself on the list of countries with private healthcare, where universal healthcare is not an option. Not to mention that anything health-related will likely cost you an arm and a leg in America. You can see who else outshines the United States in this category with our list of countries with free health care. Making us Americans look bad are the countries with free healthcare and education. You can learn more about them in our list of countries with universal healthcare and free college.

There’s a wealth of information out there discussing countries with universal health care statistics and the benefits of having it. According to the World Health Organization, about 150 million suffer each year financially due to health services expenses, and about 100 million people are pushed into poverty. For these reasons and many others, the WHO is making a big push to get countries to adopt universal health coverage. The organization says all United Nations Member States have agreed to make the necessary efforts to achieve universal health coverage by 2030. This goal will result in a major need for health workers, 18 million additional workers, to be exact, but would increase the lives of people in all corners of the world.

To create our list of countries with universal health care, we sought help from the World Health Organization and the Frasier Institute to determine each country’s (those who offer universal healthcare) spending on health care per capita, in 2015 which is the most recent data. Then we ranked the list based on that spending, so the more a country spends per capita, the higher it will be on our list. There is no difference between the countries with universal health care 2016 and 2017, to our knowledge. It is important to note that there are more than 17 countries with universal health care, but for the purposes of this list, we focused on the top 17 in the Frasier Institute’s data.

Let’s take a look at our list of 17 countries with universal health care in 2017.

17. Finland

Average Spending Per Capita: $3,600 (estimate)

Tax dollars fully fund health care, unless it is a special case where fees must be paid to doctors. The country also puts a strong emphasis on preventative health care rather than treating diseases.

16. New Zealand

Average Spending Per Capita: $3,800 (estimate)

While the country has universal health care, the WHO recently had to cut costs on the program to save money, which could potentially hurt low-income people.

15. United Kingdom

Average Spending Per Capita: $4,000 (estimate) 

England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales all have their separate health care systems, but that doesn’t stop the U.K. from having one of the best health care systems in the world and on our list of countries with universal health care in 2017, as well.

14. France

Average Spending Per Capita: $4,300 (estimate) 

Every resident is required to have health insurance as well as register with a doctor and see that doctor. This is not a difficult requirement when it’s provided by the government.

13. Iceland

Average Spending Per Capita: $4,500 (estimate)

Residents of Iceland really have it good when it comes to where their tax dollars are going. That’s because those dollars go toward universal health care as well as education, where tuition is free at public universities.

12. Belgium

Average Spending Per Capita: $4,550 (estimate)

Smaller, European countries will be a trend on our list, as they know what they are doing when it comes to providing health care to their residents. Belgium is no exception as they provide free or subsidized healthcare to citizens with one of the best healthcare systems in the world.

11. Canada

Average Spending Per Capita: $4,600 (estimate)

It’s no surprise Canada is on the list, as we always hear about their great benefits and programs for citizens. Like others on our list, theirs is a single-payer system that is on system covered by taxes that covers all basic health care needs. The median wait time to see a doctor is typically around four weeks.

10. Germany

Average Spending Per Capita: $4,650 (estimate)

Like some other countries on our list of countries with universal health care in 2017, Germany has a dual program that incorporates both public and private insurance. This is great considering everyone working, living or studying in the country is required to have insurance. All Germans also pay into the health care system, regardless of if you get sick and need it or not.

9. Australia

Average Spending Per Capita: $4,700 (estimate)

Coming in around halfway through our list of countries with universal health care in 2017 is the land down under. Their program was introduced in 1984 and offers free health care in public hospitals.

8. Denmark

Average Spending Per Capita: $4,800 (estimate)

Some people are mistaken that universal health care is synonymous with poor quality and that is just not the case for many countries — especially not Denmark. High-quality medical care is the only option here. Patient satisfaction is high, and prescriptions are inexpensive and even free for those under the age of 18.

7. Sweden

Average Spending Per Capita: $4,900 (estimate)

Sweden and Norway are regarded as icons in the world of universal health care. Both have fantastically functioning systems that incorporate both private and public funding. However, Norway spends a little more per capita which is why the two countries are not next to one another on this list.

6. Austria

Average Spending Per Capita: $4,900 (estimate)

About 99% of Austrian people are insured, which is very impressive. They spend a little under $5,000 per capita, which covers just about everything health related. Mothers typically even get eight weeks before the birth, and eight weeks paid maternity leave. The U.S. could learn a thing or two from Austria.

5. Netherlands

Average Spending Per Capita: $5,000

Coming in at number five on our list of countries with universal health care in 2017 is the Netherlands. Unlike most European countries the Dutch system is based almost entirely on private insurers rather than the typical national system.

4. Ireland

Average Spending Per Capita: $6,000

Once you live in Ireland for at least a year, you are eligible for their great health benefits. Here, the program is referred to as the Health Service Executive. There is no distinction between public and private patients, and everyone is given a standard package of insurance.

3. Norway

Average Spending Per Capita: $6,400

Though Norway has private health care services, it only covers a small percentage of residents, as most benefit from the universal program. The country has both public and private hospitals, but anyone can get treated at the hospital of their choice, with the doctor of their choice.

2. Switzerland

Average Spending Per Capita: $7,400

Switzerland comes in, in second place which is certainly not a bad place to be considering they spend an average of around $7,400 per person on health care.

1. Luxembourg

Average Spending Per Capita: $7,500

Coming in at number one on our list is Luxembourg where nearly $7,500 is spent on healthcare per person in the country. It’s a pretty small and wealthy country, so this number is not surprising, but it’s also pretty impressive that they put that much back into the health of their citizens.