HC Deb 01 March 2001 vol 363 cc756-7W
Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the percentage of gross domestic product that Britain spent on health expenditure was in each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement. [151525]

Mr. Denham

[holding answer 27 February 2001]: Table one shows gross National Health Service expenditure for the United Kingdom as a percentage of gross domestic product from 1979–80 to 2003–04. This shows that, based on latest forecasts, public expenditure on health as a percentage of GDP is set to rise to 6.6 per cent. by 2003–04.

The Department does not produce figures for expenditure on private healthcare. According to Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) data, private healthcare represents about 1 per cent. of GDP. Table two shows total healthcare expenditure as a percentage of GDP from 1979–99, using information from OECD. The OECD does not produce forecast data, but assuming that private healthcare spend as a proportion of GDP remains stable at around 1 per cent., then this percentage will rise to 7.6 per cent. by 2003–04.

Table one
Year Gross public expenditure as percentage of GDP
1979–80 4.6
1980–81 5.3
1981–82 5.4
1982–83 5.4
1983–84 5.3
1984–85 5.3
1985–86 5.1
1986–87 5.1
1987–88 5.1
1988–89 5.1
1989–90 5.0
1990–91 5.2
1991–92 5.6
1992–93 5.9
1993–94 5.9
1994–95 5.9
1995–96 5.8
1996–97 5.7
1997–98 5.7
1998–99 5.7
1999–2000 5.9
Table one
Year Gross public expenditure as percentage of GDP
2000–01 6.1
2001–02 6.2
2002–03 6.4
2003–04 6.6

Notes:

1. Figures are based on UK gross NHS expenditure date and GDP data produced by HMT.

2. Figures for years 1999–2000 to 2003–04 are subject to change.

Table one
Year Total healthcare expenditure as percentage of GDP
1979 5.3
1980 5.7
1981 6.0
1982 5.8
1983 6.0
1984 6.0
1985 5.9
1986 5.9
1987 6.0
1988 5.9
1989 5.9
1990 6.0
1991 6.4
1992 6.9
1993 6.9
1994 7.0
1995 7.0
1996 7.0
1997 6.7
1998 6.7
1999 7.0

Notes:

1. Information is produced by calendar year.

2. OECD does not produce forecast information.

Source:

OECD health databank 2000