Total spending on health care in Canada is expected to reach $191.6 billion this year, growing an estimated $9.5 billion, or 5.2%, since 2009, according to new figures released today by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI).
Quick facts on spending
- Canada is expected to spend $191.6 billion on health care in 2010, up from an estimated $182.1 billion in 2009 and $171.8 billion in 2008.
- Health care spending is forecast to reach $5,614 per Canadian in 2010, from an estimated $5,397 in 2009 and $5,154 in 2008.
- Spending on health care is expected to account for 11.7% of Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2010, a slight decline from the estimated share of 11.9% in 2009.
- Since 1997, the public/private split of total health expenditure has remained stable, with governments spending 70% of the total health care bill and the private sector spending 30%.
- Total health care spending continues to vary by province, with spending per person expected to be highest in Alberta and Manitoba at $6,266 and $6,249, respectively. British Columbia and Quebec are forecast to have the lowest health expenditure per capita at $5,355 and $5,096, respectively.
Spending on seniors has remained relatively stable for the last decade, accounting for 44% of all provincial and territorial government health care spending.