Does China have universal healthcare?

Asked by: Fanny Bednar Jr.  |  Last update: November 7, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (41 votes)

In 2022, the BBC's chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet said China had a very good healthcare system including at the provincial level. As of 2022, enrollment in China's nationwide healthcare system is almost universal. However, these plans generally provide low levels of benefits.

Is health care free in China?

Healthcare in China is free for Chinese citizens and Chinese permanent residents. If you're a foreigner with permanent resident status you may be able to access government supported public health insurance. If not, you'll need private health cover.

What country has 100% free healthcare?

Brazil. Brazil stands out as the model of countries that have free healthcare. The Brazilian free and universal healthcare system is funded by the government and is accessible to any person in Brazil, including citizens, legal residents, tourists, and even refugees and immigrants.

Does Japan have universal healthcare?

Japan's constitution expressly declares that citizens have a right to health and that it is the state's responsibility to ensure this right can be realized. [i] The government's commitment to health for all led to universal health care coverage in 1961.

How does US healthcare compare to China?

In addition, since providing routine care in hospitals is generally more expensive than in ambulatory care settings, China does not have a particularly efficient delivery system (though China spends approximately 6 percent of its GDP on healthcare, compared to roughly 18 percent in the U.S., with now comparable rates ...

The truth about China's universal healthcare

31 related questions found

Which country has the best healthcare?

The ten countries with the best healthcare are:
  • Australia (74.11)
  • Canada (71.32)
  • Sweden (70.73)
  • Ireland (67.99)
  • Netherlands (65.38)
  • Germany (64.66)
  • Norway (64.63)
  • Israel (61.73)

How much does it cost to see a doctor in China?

For instance, a well-known private clinic chain like Parkway Health might charge around USD 225 for a general consultation with a family doctor in Shanghai. In Suzhou, a nearby Tier 2 city, the same consultation at a Parkway Health clinic could cost 10-30% less, ranging from roughly USD 158 to 199.

Does Russia have universal healthcare?

The Constitution of the Russian Federation has provided all citizens the right to free healthcare since 1993. In 2008, 621,000 doctors and 1.3 million nurses were employed in Russian healthcare. The number of doctors per 10,000 people was 43.8, but only 12.1 in rural areas.

Is healthcare free in Germany?

Yes, all Germans and legal residents of Germany are entitled to free “medically necessary” public healthcare, which is funded by social security contributions. However, citizens must still have either state or private health insurance, covering at least hospital and outpatient medical treatment and pregnancy.

Does Canada have free healthcare?

2, 3 These taxation-based, publicly funded, universal programmes cover core medical and hospital services for all eligible Canadians, and are free at the point of care (figure 1 ).

Why can't the US have universal healthcare?

In the United States, everyone selfidentifies as middle class. This leads to a very simple syllogism about why the United States has no universal health insurance: there is no self-identified working class—no labor party, no national health insurance. It is hard to disconfirm that syllogism.

What country has free college?

Countries. State universities in the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway, Saudi Arabia and Sweden do not charge international students with tuition fees for Ph. D. degrees and in some cases for bachelor's and master's degrees as well.

Where does the US rank in healthcare?

The US health care system ranked last overall among 10 other high-income countries on key issues such as equity, access to care, and outcome measures, according to a new report, Mirror, Mirror 2024: A Portrait of the Failing US Health System, by The Commonwealth Fund.

Is abortion legal in China?

Abortion in the People's Republic of China is legal at all stages of pregnancy and generally accessible nationwide. Abortions are available to most women through China's family planning program, public hospitals, private hospitals, and clinics nationwide.

Does China have homelessness?

Homelessness in China is a social issue. In 2011, there were approximately 2.41 million homeless adults and 179,000 homeless children living in the country, 0.18% of the country population. However, owing to government policies and housing schemes, China has managed, to some extent, to tackle the problem.

What is the average salary in China?

The average salary in China varies depending on the city and industry. As of 2024, the average salary in Mainland China is above ¥350,000, which equates to approximately $50,400 USD per year (pre-tax). However, the average salary in 38 Chinese cities was $1,430 USD per month in Q2 2023.

Does England have free healthcare?

The United Kingdom has a national health service (NHS) with access based on clinical need, and not ability to pay. All individuals, irrespective of their nationality or immigration status, are eligible to access primary, emergency and compulsory psychiatric care, free of charge.

Is healthcare free in Italy?

Italy Healthcare System

The national health service in Italy, Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN), provides residents with free or low-cost healthcare that includes access to general practitioners (GPs), treatment at public hospitals, subsidised medicines, lab services, ambulance services and certain specialist care.

Does Mexico have free healthcare?

In most states, the state government has established free or subsidized healthcare to all of its citizens. The Secretariat of Health is the largest public healthcare institution, operating 809 hospitals throughout the country.

Does Ukraine have healthcare?

Healthcare in Ukraine is part of a universal health care system largely built up as a successor of the Soviet healthcare system otherwise dismantled in 1991. The Ministry of Healthcare implements the state policy in the country in the field of medicine and healthcare.

Are Russians healthier than Americans?

Self-assessed health was good for 77% of Americans and only 6% of Russians. The Medical Outcomes Study SF-36 Health Survey (MOS) eight health concepts showed favorable results for the Americans except for physical functioning, which indicated no difference.

Does China have social security?

Generally speaking, China's social security system is made up of five different kinds of insurance, plus one mandatory housing fund as shown in the table below.

Is education in China free?

Nine-year compulsory education policy in China enables students over six years old nationwide to get free education at both primary schools (grade 1 to 6) and junior secondary schools (grade 7 to 9). The policy is funded by government and tuition is free.

Is healthcare free in Canada?

In Canada's health care system, some services are free at the point of service while others require the patient to pay a fee. Roughly 70% of health care spending in Canada is covered by the government, paid for with tax dollars. (Some of those services may still require some payment from the patient.)