asked the Minister for Health the percentage of the Gross National Product spent on health in each country of the EC; and if any social welfare services in any of the countries are included in this figure.
Written Answers. - Health Expenditure.
530.
The percentages of Gross National Product spend on health in each EEC country in 1982 are set out as follows: Belgium, 6.5 per cent; Denmark, 7.2 per cent; France, 9.3 per cent; Germany, 8.2 per cent; Greece, 4.3 per cent; Ireland, 8.4 per cent; Italy, 7.1 per cent; Luxembourg (1981), 3.6 per cent; Netherlands, 8.6 per cent; United Kingdom, 5.8 per cent. These figures are based on OECD estimates of health expenditure for each country and on gross national products of each country published by the International Monetary Fund. The most recent Irish figure for gross national product was used.
The OECD estimate that in order to make it comparable with other OECD countries Ireland's health expenditure figure should be reduced by one-seventh to exclude community welfare and other expenditure which are not included for other countries. This would reduce the above percentage in respect of Ireland to 7.2 per cent.