Jennifer Mendoza
Research expert covering health, pharma and medtech
Health in Latin America - Statistics & Facts
The complexity and heterogeneity of the socio-economic structures, cultural traits, and geographic features that build up the Latin American region make it a place with a vast range of realities. Within the health care sector, this characteristic stands out in an array of segments. From expenditure data to vaccination coverage, figures vary according to context. These differences are not limited to disparities between sub-regions, or countries. Health and health care indicators vastly differ between states, urban and rural areas, and social groups. It is not uncommon for instance for leading hospitals to be located in more populated cities and in some cases accessible only to people within the highest income quartile.
Cuba and Uruguay are also the countries that report having the largest number of physicians per thousand inhabitants, with 8.58 and 5.24 doctors per thousand people, respectively, in 2020. In contrast, Brazil had a total of 2.22 physicians per thousand population that year. In the case of Nicaragua, this figure was equal to one doctor per thousand inhabitants. However, it was Argentina who had the highest number of hospital beds available per thousand people, with 5.2 beds per thousand population.
Expenditure and resources
This contrast between countries can already be observed when analyzing expenditure on health care. Ranking on top for current health care spending in Latin America are the region’s two most populous countries, namely Brazil and Mexico. With nearly 144 billion U.S. dollars spent on health care in 2020, Brazil allocated around 138 billion U.S. dollars more than Uruguay. However, it was estimated that Uruguay led the ranking for per capita current health care spending in the region that year, reaching a value of nearly 1.5 thousand U.S. dollars per person. This figure amounted to 676 U.S. dollars for Brazil. When considered as percentage of a country’s gross domestic product (GDP) Cuba allocated the highest share.Cuba and Uruguay are also the countries that report having the largest number of physicians per thousand inhabitants, with 8.58 and 5.24 doctors per thousand people, respectively, in 2020. In contrast, Brazil had a total of 2.22 physicians per thousand population that year. In the case of Nicaragua, this figure was equal to one doctor per thousand inhabitants. However, it was Argentina who had the highest number of hospital beds available per thousand people, with 5.2 beds per thousand population.
Healthy life expectancy
Besides expenditure and quantifiable resources, it is also quality and actual access to health care in addition to living conditions and habits what determines overall public health. In this regard, the ten leading hospitals in Latin America are located in only four countries. Based on criteria such as patients' safety, reputation and efficiency, these top medical institutions can be found in Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and Colombia. However, it is the countries of Costa Rica and Chile that have the highest healthy life expectancy (HALE) at birth in Latin America, with an estimated 70 years each. Peru and Colombia follow, while Guyana and Haiti have the lowest healthy life expectancy in the region, with an estimated 57.2 and 55.8 years, respectively.
