In 2024 Germany spent €538.2 billion on health care, which works out to €6,444 per resident, according to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). That represents an increase of €37.9 billion (7.6 %) compared with 2023. Health spending accounted for 12.4 % of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024, 0.6 percentage points higher than the previous year.
For context, health expenditure in 1994 was €175.3 billion-just over twice the 2024 per‑capita amount of €2,161 and 9.5 % of GDP-showing that spending has more than tripled over the past three decades.
Among the different payers, the Social Care Insurance recorded the largest rise: it reached €64.7 billion in 2024, up €6.5 billion (11.3 %) from 2023, largely driven by growing costs for care allowances, services and full‑hospital surcharges under §43c SGB XI. Social Care Insurance made up 12.0 % of total health spending.
The statutory health insurance remains the biggest single contributor, accounting for 55.9 % of total spending. Its outlays rose to €300.8 billion, an increase of €21.7 billion (7.8 %) over 2023. Private households and non‑profit organisations without an employment purpose were the second‑largest spender, with €65 billion (12.1 %) of total health costs – up €3.3 billion (5.4 %) from the previous year. Private health insurance increased by €3.9 billion (9.7 %) to €44.8 billion, representing 8.3 % of all health outlays.
Looking at provider types, ambulatory facilities (pharmacies, doctor’s offices, etc.) consumed €259.4 billion, 48.2 % of the total, while (semi‑)hospital settings-hospitals, intermediate and long‑term care institutions, preventive and rehabilitation centres-spent €197.7 billion, 36.7 % of all spending. Across almost all facility categories, expenditures climbed compared with 2023, except for the Health Protection sector. Here, spending fell by €1.3 billion (-18.5 %) to €5.9 billion, reflecting the near‑complete withdrawal of Corona‑related costs that were still being paid in 2023. Nevertheless, relative to 2019-the last pre‑COVID year-Health Protection saw the largest percentage jump of 61.5 % (€2.2 billion), a rise attributed to initiatives such as the Pact for the Public Health Service aimed at strengthening health protection.
Health services broadly encompass medical, therapeutic, and nursing care, as well as dental prosthetics, drugs, medical equipment, and provisions for accommodation and meals. Among these, nursing services were the most expensive, accounting for €135.9 billion (25.3 % of total health spending). This category grew by €14.2 billion (11.6 %) from the preceding year, primarily due to increased nursing staff costs in institutional settings and higher allowances for home care.
Drug expenditure also showed a notable rise: with the temporary manufacturer discount for reimbursable medications ending in 2023, 2024 drug spending climbed by €7.2 billion (9.3 %) to €85.1 billion.
Projections for 2025, based on currently available and advanced data, anticipate a further jump in health spending to €579.5 billion-a rise of €41.3 billion (7.7 %) above 2024 levels.
