Who has higher healthcare costs USA or South Korea?

Asked by: Anita Kuvalis  |  Last update: December 3, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (21 votes)

In 2021, the U.S. spent 17.8 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) on health care, nearly twice as much as the average OECD country. Health spending per person in the U.S. was nearly two times higher than in the closest country, Germany, and four times higher than in South Korea.

Is healthcare expensive in South Korea?

The public healthcare in South Korea is not free, but it is reasonable. On average, residents only need to cover 20% of their medical treatments, which is typically just the copay or the service fee. If you are employed, 5% of your income will go towards the NHI.

How is healthcare in Korea compared to the United States?

South Korea is similar to the United States in that the government pays for coverage of the elderly and poor, but, unlike the United States, it requires that all other citizens have health insurance, which is typically paid for by the workplace.

Which country has the highest healthcare costs?

Health Expenditure in the U.S.

The United States is the highest spending country worldwide when it comes to health care. In 2022, total health expenditure in the U.S. exceeded four trillion dollars. Expenditure as a percentage of GDP is projected to increase to approximately 20 percent by the year 2031.

Is the US the most expensive healthcare system?

The United States has one of the highest costs of healthcare in the world. In 2022, U.S. healthcare spending reached $4.5 trillion, which averages to $13,493 per person. By comparison, the average cost of healthcare per person in other wealthy countries is less than half as much.

What experts say about who has the world's best health-care system | Opinion

19 related questions found

Which country has the cheapest healthcare?

Continue reading our article to learn the best cheapest countries with best healthcare that answers these criteria.
  • Azerbaijan. ...
  • Hungary. ...
  • Czech Republic. ...
  • Thailand. ...
  • Croatia. ...
  • Poland. ...
  • India. ...
  • Spain. Spain, a popular destination for medical tourism, offers affordable, high-quality healthcare services to international patients.

Where does America 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.

What country has 100% free healthcare?

However, Brazil is the only country in the world that offers free healthcare for all its citizens. Also, Norway is the first country in the world to implement a free healthcare policy as far back as 1912.

Does the US spend more on healthcare than any other country?

The United States Spends More on Healthcare per Person than Other Wealthy Countries. The amount of resources a country allocates for healthcare varies as each country has its own political, economic, and social attributes that help determine how much it will spend.

Which country has the highest paying healthcare?

Topping our list is Luxembourg, a small yet prosperous country known for its thriving economy and high standard of living. Doctors in Luxembourg enjoy some of the highest salaries in the world, along with excellent working conditions and ample opportunities for professional growth.

Where does South Korea rank in healthcare?

According to the 2024 edition of the CEOWORLD Magazine Health Care Index, Taiwan ranks as the country with the best healthcare system globally, with an overall score of 78.72. South Korea (77.7) and Australia (74.11) follow closely behind.

Are universities free in South Korea?

Studying abroad in South Korea is very affordable when compared to tuition and living prices in the US. Tuition for a direct enrollment semester abroad in South Korea ranges from $1,800 to around $6,000 depending on the university and subjects you're studying.

Is Korean healthcare good?

Where Does South Korea Rank in Healthcare? South Korea offers excellent medical services alongside low insurance premiums. This year, The Legatum Institute, a London-based think tank, ranked the health care in South Korea as the third best in the world.

How is healthcare in South Korea different from the United States?

First, unlike the coverage gap that exists in the USA, health insurance in South Korea is government-mandated and provided to all citizens by the Ministry of Health and Wellness. In other words, 100% of the population is guaranteed coverage.

Is surgery cheap in South Korea?

The cost of cosmetic surgery in Seoul starts at US $2,400. In the U.S., surgeon fees alone start from US $3,500 and go upto US $11,000 for procedures like facelifts. However, additional expenses such as anesthesiologist fees, hospital stays, and medication significantly increase the overall cost.

Why are Korean hospitals so cheap?

South Korea has an insurance system with low reimbursement rates which encourages high turnover by hospitals and does little to dissuade patients from seeking second opinions. Health finance system in South Korea is characterized as "low premiums, low medical consultation fees, low pay".

What country has the most expensive health care?

The United States: the world's highest medical expenses

The United States has the most expensive healthcare system of any country. A medical consultation with a general practitioner costs, on average, $190 or around €170. A stay in hospital can result in bills amounting to tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

What happens in America if you can't afford healthcare?

Americans are no longer taxed for not carrying health insurance. Medical debt contributes to a large number of bankruptcies in America. Access to quality primary care is critical, but doctors have the right to refuse patients without insurance or who are able to pay out-of-pocket expenses.

Which country has the most cheapest healthcare?

Top Countries, Cities for Affordable, Advanced Medical Care
  • India.
  • Thailand.
  • Turkey.
  • Mexico.
  • Costa Rica.
  • Malaysia.
  • Singapore.

Why is the US the only country without free healthcare?

Typical explanations include a history of individualistic culture, union bargaining, inflationary pressure, or favourable tax treatment for employer-sponsored health insurance (Scott 2023b).

Who has the best free healthcare in the world?

Top 10 Countries with Free Healthcare
  • Canada. Canada tops our list of countries with free healthcare systems. ...
  • United Kingdom. ...
  • Australia. ...
  • Norway. ...
  • Germany. ...
  • France. ...
  • Sweden. ...
  • Brazil.

What state is #1 in healthcare?

Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Iowa, and Connecticut are the top-ranked states according to the 2020 Scorecard, which assesses all 50 states and the District of Columbia on more than 45 measures of access to health care, quality of care, service use and costs of care, health outcomes, and income-based health care ...

What is the healthiest country in the world?

According to the index, Spain takes the top spot as the healthiest country in 2024. This impressive feat is attributed to a robust public healthcare system, readily available preventive care, and the widely celebrated Mediterranean diet.

Why is U.S. healthcare so expensive?

There are many factors that contribute to the high cost of healthcare in the country including wasteful systems, rising drug costs, medical professional salaries, profit-driven healthcare centers, types of medical practices, and health-related pricing.