Norway HiT (2020)

The European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies has released a new health system review (HiT) for Norway with a special focus on recent developments and health system reforms.

Norwegians enjoy high levels of wealth and long and healthy lives

Life expectancy has continued to increase and reached 82.7 years in 2017 – among the highest in Europe. Like in other high-income countries, cardiovascular diseases and cancers are the main causes of death. However, self-harm and substance use disorders are the key causes of death among younger adults. Cancers, circulatory diseases and musculoskeletal disorders had the largest contribution to the burden of disease in Norway.

Norway spends more on health than other countries and most of it comes from public funds

With Norway’s per capita GDP being one of the highest in the world, the country’s per capita health expenditure is also much higher than in most countries – over US$6500 PPP, second only to Switzerland. Public sources account for 85.5% of current health expenditure, which is the highest share in Europe. Most private health financing comes from households’ out-of-pocket payments, of which most is spent on pharmaceuticals, dental care and long-term care.

The provision of services is changing following efforts to strengthen primary care

Key policy initiatives in recent years have included improving the coordination of care between municipalities and hospitals (the ‘Coordination Reform’); strengthening primary care and public health; extending patient choice; reorganizing hospital care; and adapting education and training of health professionals to future health needs.

Quality and effectiveness of health care services are among the best, but this comes at high cost

When adjusting for countries’ economic development, Norway’s health spending is in line with other high-income countries, although the debates persist on whether the cost of health care justifies the level of outcomes. Much attention has been paid to improving care quality and patient safety and Norway scores well on most indicators.