This release has been compiled during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results in this section are based on preliminary unaudited accounting information. As such these results may be subject to revision. Due to the scale of additional health spending in 2020 this preliminary information is being provided to meet user needs. For further information see Background notes
Total Health Expenditure and COVID-19 Related Spending in 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the level of health expenditure in 2020. Based on preliminary data, €26.5 billion was spent on healthcare in 2020, an increase of 11% on 2019 figures. The growth in spending is due to a 15% increase in government spending. Preliminary data on spending by private health insurance companies, charitable organisations or direct household expenditure is not available at this time so the estimates provided are based on 2019 expenditure.
The preliminary estimates have identified €2.4 billion of expenditure related to COVID-19. A detailed breakdown of the type of COVID-19 expenditure is shown in Table 1.2. Most of the expenditure was on personal protective equipment, swab kits and ventilators, with significant expenditure on treatment costs and testing costs. Detailed explanations of the classifications in Table 1.2 are in the background notes.
For more information see Background Notes.
| For long labels below use to display on multiple lines | Irelands Health Care Expenditure by Financing Scheme, Estimates for 2019 |
|---|---|
| Voluntary Healthcare Payment Schemes | 12 |
| Govt and compulsory | 77 |
| Household Out of Pocket Payments | 11 |
Next Chapter >> Health Expenditure in Ireland 2019
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