When I first came to Spain, I always heard about how great the healthcare benefits were, with medical visits being virtually free. After living here for a while, my friends and I have had our share of experiences with hospitals. The system feels good, but I was never quite sure exactly how good it is or where it ranks globally. I recently saw several global healthcare rankings, so I’ve compiled them to share and discuss with you all.
Spain in Authoritative Rankings
When it comes to rankings, the most famous is probably the one from the World Health Organization (WHO). Although that report on the Spanish healthcare system is a bit dated, it placed Spain at seventh in the world, which was a stunning achievement at the time. However, since the data is over two decades old, its relevance today is up for debate.
In recent years, the Health Care Index from the US magazine CEOWORLD has garnered more attention. In their latest rankings, Spain’s healthcare system consistently places in the top ten. For example, in 2021, they ranked Spain eighth in the world, which is a testament to the solid foundation of its healthcare system.
Comparison of Major Rankings
Besides the ones mentioned above, many other organizations publish rankings with different criteria, leading to some variations in the results. I’ve put together a simple comparison for a clearer picture:
| Organization/Report | Year | Spain’s Rank |
|---|
| World Health Organization | 2000 | 7 |
| CEOWORLD Magazine | 2021 | 8 |
| Bloomberg | 2018 | 3 |
| The Lancet | 2017 | 8 |
No matter the list, Spain consistently holds a spot in the global top ten. This is largely thanks to its comprehensive universal public healthcare system, which offers extensive coverage and boasts world-leading technologies in fields like organ transplantation and cancer treatment. A family member of a friend of mine had a major surgery here, and their entire experience, from diagnosis to recovery, was excellent. Moreover, most of the costs were covered by social security, a key feature that contributes to Spain’s strong healthcare ranking.
Rankings are based on macro data, and while Spain’s healthcare ranking is impressive, individual experiences can vary. The biggest issue with the public system is that it’s “slow”. Waiting several months for a specialist appointment is common, and the wait in the emergency room can feel endless. That’s why many people opt for private health insurance to get faster access to care. Overall, however, having such a strong public healthcare system as a safety net provides a great sense of security when living in Spain. What have your experiences with the healthcare system in Spain been like? Feel free to share in the comments!
