Selected Universal Health Systems Compared With the United States

Comparison of healthcare spending, workforce, core coverage and system structure. International spending levels are descriptive comparisons, not estimates of what the United States would spend under another country's system.

Last updated: September 22, 2026#universal-healthcare#healthcare#international-comparison#United-States#Germany#Netherlands#Australia#United-Kingdom#OECD

United States

Coverage ModelMixed public/private multipayer

Spending Per Capita (USD PPP)$14,885

Share of GDP17.2%

Doctors / 1,0002.7

Nurses / 1,00012.4

Core Coverage93%

Germany

Coverage ModelStatutory health insurance + private insurance

Spending Per Capita (USD PPP)$9,365

Share of GDP12.3%

Doctors / 1,0004.7

Nurses / 1,00012.2

Core Coverage100%

Netherlands

Coverage ModelMandatory regulated competing insurance

Spending Per Capita (USD PPP)$8,436

Share of GDP10.0%

Doctors / 1,0003.9

Nurses / 1,00011.1

Core Coverage100%

Australia

Coverage ModelUniversal public Medicare + private insurance

Spending Per Capita (USD PPP)$7,469

Share of GDP10.3%

Doctors / 1,0004.2

Nurses / 1,00013.0

Core Coverage100%

United Kingdom

Coverage ModelTax-funded National Health Service

Spending Per Capita (USD PPP)$6,747

Share of GDP11.1%

Doctors / 1,0003.4

Nurses / 1,0009.1

Core Coverage100%

Country	Coverage Model	Spending Per Capita (USD PPP)	Share of GDP	Doctors / 1,000	Nurses / 1,000	Core Coverage
United States	Mixed public/private multipayer	$14,885	17.2%	2.7	12.4	93%
Germany	Statutory health insurance + private insurance	$9,365	12.3%	4.7	12.2	100%
Netherlands	Mandatory regulated competing insurance	$8,436	10.0%	3.9	11.1	100%
Australia	Universal public Medicare + private insurance	$7,469	10.3%	4.2	13.0	100%
United Kingdom	Tax-funded National Health Service	$6,747	11.1%	3.4	9.1	100%

Notes

Cross-country spending figures are adjusted using purchasing-power parities. They should not be multiplied by the U.S. population to estimate the cost of adopting another country's system. Countries differ in demographics, prices, benefits, provider payment, workforce, long-term care and accounting conventions. Core coverage also describes entitlement to a core set of services and does not imply identical benefits or zero cost sharing.