Rising health expenses in Germany: Projected expenditure of EUR 491.6 billion per capita in 2023
In the realm of healthcare expenditure, a comprehensive study of disease costs in Germany from 2015 to 2023 reveals that cardiovascular diseases and mental health disorders are among the most costly health conditions.
Cardiovascular diseases remain a primary cost driver due to their high prevalence in older populations and their association with chronic conditions requiring ongoing treatment and hospitalisation. This results in substantial inpatient and outpatient care expenses within the German health system.
Mental and behavioural disorders have gained significant attention as important contributors to disease burden and costs. These conditions affect a broad age range, often leading to long-term treatment needs, disability, and lost productivity. The costs include psychiatric care, rehabilitation, and outpatient services, impacting both genders but sometimes differently by disorder type and age.
From a demographic perspective, the burden and cost of these diseases are higher among older age groups, reflecting Germany’s aging population. The health system’s cost-sharing protections for vulnerable groups help modulate out-of-pocket expenditures but do not eliminate the overall financial burden of chronic diseases like cardiovascular and mental disorders.
Trends from 2015 to 2023 also show increasing healthcare expenditures related to chronic diseases, partly due to increased prevalence and improved diagnostic rates. For instance, undiagnosed diabetes being identified more frequently among older adults.
Behaviourally, there has been a stable public interest in healthy living, including diet and lifestyle choices, which may influence long-term trends in disease prevalence and costs. However, socioeconomic factors impact health behaviours differently across the population, potentially affecting disease risk and management outcomes.
Gender differences in disease impact and costs are notable as well. Men and women show different risk profiles and healthcare usage patterns. For example, cardiovascular diseases are generally more common in men at younger ages, but women’s risk increases post-menopause. In 2023, women had much higher per capita costs for mental and behavioural disorders compared to men.
While direct cost figures by disease from 2015 to 2023 for Germany are not fully detailed in the provided results, the German health system's broad structure—with universal coverage through social health insurance—ensures significant resources are directed toward managing these costly diseases.
In summary, cardiovascular diseases and mental/behavioural disorders drive considerable healthcare costs in Germany, particularly among older adults, with notable gender differences and evolving trends linked to demographic changes, healthcare utilisation, and lifestyle factors. The German healthcare framework, emphasising social insurance coverage and protective cost-sharing, underpins spending patterns seen over this period.
Key findings:
- Per capita costs for mental and behavioural disorders were significantly higher for women than for men in 2023.
- In 2023, cardiovascular diseases and mental and behavioural disorders were the most costly diseases.
- The average per capita costs of diseases in 2023 increased by 1,760 euros (42.4 percent) compared to 2015.
- For those aged 65-84, per capita costs were 11,480 euros, and for the oldest old (over 85), they were 28,860 euros.
- The average per capita costs of diseases in 2023 were 5,900 euros.
Science plays a crucial role in understanding the healthcare costs associated with mental and behavioral disorders and cardiovascular diseases, particularly in relation to disease burden, demographic trends, and gender differences. The health-and-wellness aspect is highlighted as maintaining a healthy lifestyle can impact long-term disease prevalence and costs, while socioeconomic factors can differentiate health behaviors and disease risk across the population.
