The National Health Commission (NHC) has released “China’s Healthcare Statistical Communique 2022,” providing a comprehensive overview of the country’s healthcare sector. The annual report reveals a growth in medical and health institutions, an increase in national health expenditure, and detailed insights into the distribution of healthcare costs.
Expansion of Medical Institutions
As of the end of 2022, China’s total number of medical and health institutions reached 1,032,918, an increase of 1,983 from the previous year. This includes 36,976 hospitals, 979,768 grassroots medical and health institutions, and 12,436 professional public health institutions. The number of hospitals increased by 406, and grassroots medical and health institutions by 1,978 compared to the previous year. Additionally, there are 13 categories of national and regional medical centers for children across the country.
National Health Expenditure and Composition
The preliminary estimate of China’s total national health expenditure in 2022 was RMB 8,484.67 billion (USD 1,178 billion), with government health expenditure accounting for RMB 2,391.64 billion (USD 332 billion) or 28.2% of the total. Social health expenditure reached RMB 3,801.58 billion (USD 528 billion), representing 44.8%, while personal health expenditure amounted to RMB 2,291.45 billion (USD 318 billion), accounting for 27.0%. The per capita total health expenditure was RMB 6,010.0 (USD 835), and the proportion of total health expenditure to GDP was 7.0%.
Trends in Healthcare Costs
The average outpatient cost per hospital visit was RMB 342.7, marking a 4.1% increase compared to the previous year and a 3.0% increase based on comparable prices. The average hospitalization cost per visit was RMB 10,860.6, a decrease of 1.3% compared to the previous year at current prices and a 2.4% decrease at comparable prices. Notably, the average outpatient cost per visit to a Class 3 public hospital increased by 3.1%, while the average hospitalization cost per visit decreased by 4.0%.
Conclusion
The “China’s Healthcare Statistical Communique 2022” provides a detailed snapshot of the country’s healthcare system, highlighting growth in healthcare infrastructure, expenditure, and cost trends. These statistics are crucial for understanding the evolving landscape of healthcare in China and inform future policy and investment decisions.-Fineline Info & Tech
