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Spain Healthcare Statistics, Trends & Facts (2025)

Spain has one of the [most inclusive](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30277216/) and [most efficient](https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2023/12/spain-country-health-profile-2023_727a7995/71d029b2-en.pdf) healthcare systems in Europe. [**99\.5%**](https://eurohealthobservatory.who.int/monitors/health-systems-monitor/analyses/hspm/spain-2018/new-reform-on-the-breadth-of-the-spanish-health-system) **of the population is covered by the public health system**, and the country boasts **the** [**highest life expectancy in the EU**](https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20250314-3), despite spending less than many of its neighbors.


This post breaks down Spain’s healthcare statistics and trends, including **life expectancy**, **health expenditures**, **private insurance rates**, and **causes of death**.


## Key Spanish Healthcare Statistics – Top Picks


A quick look at the headline numbers shaping Spain’s health system:


- **10\.7% of GDP** goes toward healthcare (EU average: **11%**)
- **27 countries** spend more on healthcare per capita than Spain
- **Circulatory diseases** caused **26\.2%** of deaths in 2023
- **Cancers** accounted for **25\.6%** of deaths
- **28%** of Spanish residents (**12\.4M people**) have private health insurance
- **82%** of Spanish civil servants use private insurance


## Spain population statistics


Spain’s population continues to grow modestly while remaining majority urban.


- **49\.15 million** total population (as of April 2025\)
- Net increase of **\+75,865** people in Q1 2025 (**\+0\.16%**)
- The Spanish population is expected to grow by **0\.64%** in 2025\.
- **79\.3%** live in urban areas; **20\.7%** in rural zones
- **49%** male (**24\.11M**); **51%** female (**25\.04M**)
- **86%** Spanish citizens; **14%** foreign nationals


Source: [Worldometer](https://www.worldometers.info/demographics/spain-demographics/), [Spanish Statistical Office](https://www.ine.es/dyngs/Prensa/en/ECP1T25.htm)


### Life expectancy statistics Spain


Spain continues to lead the EU in life expectancy, with consistent year\-over\-year increases.


- **84\.25 years** average life expectancy (2025\)
- Up from **84\.12** in 2024 and **83\.88** in 2023
- **45\.9 years** median age


Below is the breakdown of the average life expectancy in Spain from 2002 to 2025:


![](https://storage.googleapis.com/popsure-blog-content/1/2025/07/2-Life-expectancy-over-time-1024x614.png)
### Regional highlight


- **Madrid** and the surrounding regions have the highest life expectancy in the EU at **86\.1 years**


This is **4\.7 years above** the EU average of **81\.4 years.**


![](https://storage.googleapis.com/popsure-blog-content/1/2025/07/1-Average-life-expectancy-by-country-1024x614.png)
Source: [Macrotrends](https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/countries/esp/spain/life-expectancy), [Eurostat](https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20250314-3)


### Cause of death statistics in Spain


Non\-communicable diseases dominate Spain’s mortality profile.


- Circulatory system diseases caused **26\.2%** of deaths in 2023\.
- **25\.6%** were due to cancers.


These two categories account for over **half of all deaths** in Spain.


Here are the other leading causes of death in Spain:


![](https://storage.googleapis.com/popsure-blog-content/1/2025/07/3-Leading-cause-of-death-by-category-in-Spain-1024x614.png)
Source: [World Health Organization](https://data.who.int/countries/724), [Spanish Statistical Office](https://www.ine.es/dyngs/Prensa/en/EDCM2023.htm?print=1)


## How healthy are Spaniards?


Chronic health conditions are widespread, especially among older adults, but Spain still maintains some of the EU’s lowest obesity and alcohol consumption rates.


- **55%** of Spaniards report having at least one chronic condition
- This rises to **60%** for adults aged **65 and older**
- **33%** of adults aged 30–79 (**\~10M people**) have hypertension
- **20%** of Spaniards smoke (EU average: **9%**)
- **6%** are classified as heavy drinkers (EU average: **19%**)
- **16\.0%** obesity rate (EU’s **8th lowest**)  

	- **16\.5%** of men
	- **15\.5%** of women


Spain performs well on several lifestyle\-related health indicators despite a high rate of chronic illness.


Source: [World Health Organization](https://data.who.int/countries/724), [Spanish Statistical Office](https://www.ine.es/dyngs/Prensa/en/EDCM2023.htm?print=1), [OECD/European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies](https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2023/12/spain-country-health-profile-2023_727a7995/71d029b2-en.pdf), [Spanish Statistical Office](https://www.revespcardiol.org/en-numerical-values-and-impact-of-hypertens-articulo-S1885585724001440)


## How much does Spain spend on healthcare?


Spain’s healthcare spending rose significantly in recent years but remains **below the EU average** both in GDP share and per capita terms.


- **10\.7% of GDP** spent on healthcare in 2020–21  

	- Up from **8\.9%** in 2017
	- EU average: **11%**
- **€131\.98 billion** total healthcare spending
- **€2,771 per capita**, nearly **33% less** than EU average (**€4,028**)


Below is the breakdown of Spain’s healthcare expenditure as a percentage of GDP since 2000:


![](https://storage.googleapis.com/popsure-blog-content/1/2025/07/4-Spain_s-healthcare-expenditure-as-a-_-of-its-GDP-1024x614.png)
Spain ranks among the lowest EU countries in per capita healthcare spending:


![](https://storage.googleapis.com/popsure-blog-content/1/2025/07/5-Expenditure-pp-1024x598.png)
### Who pays for healthcare in Spain?


Public financing covers the bulk of health expenditures, but out\-of\-pocket costs remain significant.


- **71\.6%** (**€94\.69B**) of health spending came from public funds
- **28\.4%** (**€37\.29B**) came from private sources  

	- **21\.0%** of total funding came directly from out\-of\-pocket spending


This structure reflects Spain’s tax\-based healthcare model with growing reliance on supplemental payments.


Sources:  [OECD/European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies](https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2023/12/spain-country-health-profile-2023_727a7995/71d029b2-en.pdf), [World Bank Gro](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS?end=2022&locations=ES&start=2000&view=chart)up, [Macrotrends](https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/countries/esp/spain/healthcare-spending), [Spanish Ministry of Health](https://www.sanidad.gob.es/estadEstudios/estadisticas/sisInfSanSNS/tablasEstadisticas/InfAnualSNS2023/Resumen_Ejecutivo_2023_Ingles.pdf), [OECD](https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2019/11/spain-country-health-profile-2019_9ee915d7/8f834636-en.pdf)


## Where does Spain spend its healthcare budget?


Hospitals receive the largest share of Spain’s public healthcare budget, followed closely by outpatient services.


- **51\.2%** of public health spending went to hospital care
- **42\.5%** went to outpatient care


Here’s a breakdown of where Spain spends its healthcare budget:


![](https://storage.googleapis.com/popsure-blog-content/1/2025/07/6-Overall-expenditure-1024x614.png)
### Consumer\-driven segments


Nearly all spending on therapeutic devices (e.g. glasses, hearing aids) comes out of pocket.


- **97\.4%** of spending on durable medical products was paid by consumers


![](https://storage.googleapis.com/popsure-blog-content/1/2025/07/7-Therapeutic-devices-spending-1024x614.png)
Source: [Spanish Ministry of Health](https://www.sanidad.gob.es/estadEstudios/estadisticas/sisInfSanSNS/tablasEstadisticas/InfAnualSNS2023/Resumen_Ejecutivo_2023_Ingles.pdf), [Feather Insurance](https://feather-insurance.com/blog/health-insurance-spain-guide/)


## How popular is public health insurance in Spain?


Universal coverage remains the foundation of Spain’s system.


- **99\.5%** of residents are covered by the **Spanish National Health System (SNS)**
- Participation is mandatory and funded through **income tax contributions**


Public coverage ensures access to essential services for all legal residents.


Source: [Feather Insurance](https://feather-insurance.com/blog/health-insurance-spain-guide/), [European Health Observatory](https://eurohealthobservatory.who.int/monitors/health-systems-monitor/analyses/hspm/spain-2018/new-reform-on-the-breadth-of-the-spanish-health-system)


## How popular is private health insurance in Spain?


Private health insurance supplements, but does not replace, public coverage in Spain.


- **28%** of residents (**12\.4M people**) had private coverage in 2024
- **Catalonia** has the highest uptake (**\~34%**)
- **82%** of civil servants have private health insurance


### Private health insurance market leaders


Overall, 5 major insurers dominate the sector.


**SegurCaixa Adeslas** holds **28\.5%** of the private insurance market. 


Here is the breakdown of the 5 largest providers of private health insurance in Spain by market share.


![](https://storage.googleapis.com/popsure-blog-content/1/2025/07/8-Private-health-companies-by-market-share-1024x614.png)
### Average cost of Spanish private health insurance


- Average premium: **€698 per year** or **€58\.2 per month**
- Final cost varies by **age, location, provider, and coverage level**


Spain’s private insurance market is growing, especially among higher\-income earners and those seeking shorter wait times.


Sources: [Feather Insurance](https://feather-insurance.com/blog/health-insurance-spain-guide/), [Freopp.org](https://freopp.org/spain-19-in-the-2024-world-index-of-healthcare-innovation/), [La Vanguardia](https://www.lavanguardia.com/mediterranean/20241230/10247309/health-insurance-expensive-2025-spain-hospital-group-technology-price-ine-adeslas-dkv-sanitas-mapfre.html), [IDIS Foundation](https://www.fundacionidis.com/informes/analisis-de-situacion-de-la-sanidad-privada/observatorio-del-sector-sanitario-privado-2024)


## How big is Spain’s healthcare sector?


Spain employs hundreds of thousands in healthcare, with most staff concentrated in hospitals and direct care roles.


- **763,355** professionals worked in the public healthcare network (2023\)  

	- **75\.7%** worked in hospitals
	- **16\.0%** in primary care centers
	- **3\.4%** in emergency services
- **172,157** medical professionals and **221,406** nurses  

	- Medical and nursing staff make up **51\.6%** of the public healthcare workforce


### Private sector employment


- **74,597** staff employed directly by private hospitals
- **34,379** additional professionals contracted via non\-salaried agreements  

	- Includes **8,525 doctors** working in private hospitals


### Staffing ratios


- **6\.3 nurses** per 1,000 residents (EU average: **8\.5**)
- **4\.5 doctors** per 1,000 residents (EU average: **4\.1**)
- **6\.03 dentists** and **12\.29 pharmacists** per 10,000 residents


Source:  [Spanish Ministry of Health](https://www.sanidad.gob.es/estadEstudios/estadisticas/sisInfSanSNS/tablasEstadisticas/InfAnualSNS2023/Resumen_Ejecutivo_2023_Ingles.pdf), [ETKHO](https://www.etkho.com/en/hospital-admissions-beds-annual-costs-and-the-evolution-of-spains-national-health-system/), [OECD/European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies](https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2023/12/spain-country-health-profile-2023_727a7995/71d029b2-en.pdf), [World Health Organization](https://data.who.int/countries/724)


## How many hospitals are in Spain?


Spain has a relatively low hospital density compared to the OECD average, but its bed availability has remained stable for over a decade.


- **776 hospitals** in 2024 (up from **765** in 2015\)  

	- **16\.4 hospitals** per million residents (OECD average: **27\.4**)
- **449** hospitals are public; the rest are private


### Hospital bed capacity


- **155,077** total hospital beds nationwide  

	- **126,004** beds (**82\.5%**) in the public system
	- **29,073** beds (**17\.75%**) in the private sector
- **296 beds** per 100,000 people (EU average: **525**)
- Bed availability has remained stable since 2013


Source: [Spanish Ministry of Health](https://www.sanidad.gob.es/estadEstudios/estadisticas/sisInfSanSNS/tablasEstadisticas/InfAnualSNS2023/Resumen_Ejecutivo_2023_Ingles.pdf), [European Health Observatory](https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/379922/9789289014342-eng.pdf?sequence=1), [ETKHO](https://www.etkho.com/en/hospital-admissions-beds-annual-costs-and-the-evolution-of-spains-national-health-system/) 


### How many people are hospitalized in Spain?


Spain’s public hospitals handle the majority of inpatient care and outpatient consultations, with private hospitals providing additional capacity.


- **4 million** inpatient admissions in public hospitals annually
- **87 million** public sector medical consultations per year
- **3\.5 million** surgical interventions performed each year  

	- **48\.6%** of major surgeries are outpatient


### Average length of stay


- **7\.8 days**: public hospital average  

	- **6\.7 days** in acute care
	- **55\.9 days** in long\-term care
- **5\.4 days**: private hospital average  

	- **20%** of private admissions are funded by the public system


Here is the breakdown of average hospital stays by type of facility in the public and private sector:


![](https://storage.googleapis.com/popsure-blog-content/1/2025/07/9-Admission-by-type-of-hospital-1024x614.png)
Source: [Spanish Ministry of Health](https://www.sanidad.gob.es/estadEstudios/estadisticas/sisInfSanSNS/tablasEstadisticas/InfAnualSNS2023/Resumen_Ejecutivo_2023_Ingles.pdf), [ETKHO](https://www.etkho.com/en/hospital-admissions-beds-annual-costs-and-the-evolution-of-spains-national-health-system/) 


### What are the most common reasons for hospital stays in Spain?


Chronic diseases such as cardiovascular conditions and cancer are the most frequent drivers of hospitalizations.


- **13\.4%** of SNS hospital admissions are due to cardiovascular diseases  

	- **10\.3 admissions** per 1,000 residents
- **6 admissions** per 1,000 residents for malignant tumors  

	- **8\.2 days** average hospital stay for cancer\-related admissions


Here is the breakdown of the four most common reasons for hospitalisation in Spain:


![](https://storage.googleapis.com/popsure-blog-content/1/2025/07/10-Reason-for-admission-1024x614.png)
Source: [Spanish Ministry of Health](https://www.sanidad.gob.es/estadEstudios/estadisticas/sisInfSanSNS/tablasEstadisticas/InfAnualSNS2023/Resumen_Ejecutivo_2023_Ingles.pdf)


## Sick leave statistics in Spain


Sick leave has surged in Spain since 2018, especially for mental health conditions.


- **396 million sick days** recorded in 2023  

	- Equivalent to **20 working days** per worker
	- **62% increase** since 2018
- **4\.1%** of the workforce is on sick leave at any given time


### Mental health trends


- **78%** increase in mental health\-related sick leave since 2018
- Now the **second leading** cause of extended sick leave  

	- **21%** of women cite mental health reasons
	- **15%** of men


Source: [Umivale Activa](https://umivaleactiva.es/dam/umivale-activa/absentismo-y-competitividad/Notas-breves_Umivale_Activa_IVIE-1.pdf), [SUR in English](https://www.surinenglish.com/spain/boom-absenteeism-among-young-people-twice-many-20241231073753-nt.html), [SUR](https://www.surinenglish.com/spain/fewer-than-workers-account-for-sick-leaves-20250611081603-nt.html)