AMSTERDAM — The Netherlands is ranked eighth out of 30 OECD countries in terms of the amount of money it spends on healthcare per capita, new figures indicated on Wednesday.

The Dutch government spends USD 2,626 (EUR 2,211) on healthcare per person compared with the US, which spends USD 4,887 (EUR 4,212). Switzerland and Norway are ranked second and third in terms of healthcare funding.

The report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) indicated that Mexico spend the least amount on healthcare (USD 508 or EUR 437).

The report — which used figures dating back to 2001 — found that in terms of healthcare funding, the Netherlands is just above the OECD average.

The OECD also found that 3 percent of the Dutch population is aged 80 or more, compared with the average of 2.8 percent. In Sweden, Norway and the UK, the figure is 4 percent. In terms of life expectation, the Dutch are ranked mid-field.

Furthermore, cancer is more prevalent in the Netherlands in comparison with other OECD countries, with breast cancer in women and lung cancer in men the leading forms of cancer.

The number of smokers in the Netherlands has declined, but 32 percent of the population still smokes — a figure that remains relatively high, news agency nu.nl reported.

In regards weight, the OECD report — which was published in Paris on Wednesday as OECD ministers met to discuss the economy, trade, and issues relating to health and aging populations — the Netherlands is one of the best performing nations.

Healthcare waiting lists in the Netherlands also compare favourably to other nations. In other countries waiting times of more than three to six months are normal, but Dutch residents are forced to wait on average seven weeks for treatment.

In reality though, the waiting period is somewhat lower and is on average four to five weeks, the OECD report indicated.

Meanwhile, the report also found that the number of female doctors in the Netherlands is rapidly increasing. The percentage of Dutch doctors who are women rose from 15 percent in 1970 to 35 percent in 2000. In some nations — such as the Czech Republic, Finland and Poland — there are more female than male doctors.

[Copyright Expatica News 2004]

Subject: Dutch news