Research Information System
in: Economic Development and Growth - Foundations and Frontiers, Kostis Pantelis C., Editor, IntechOpen, London, pp.1-22, 2025
This study explores how healthcare investment influences health system capabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic across European countries. It investigates if higher healthcare spending correlates with lower COVID-19 fatality rates using data from the World Bank, OECD, and Eurostat. Examining a sample of European nations, the research identifies that countries with higher initial COVID-19 fatality rates in 2020 consistently maintained elevated rates in subsequent years. These countries generally allocated a smaller GDP percentage to healthcare, had lower healthcare spending per capita, and invested less in health research and development compared to others. Statistical analysis reveals a significant negative correlation between COVID-19 mortality rates in 2022 and healthcare expenditure as a percentage of GDP in 2020, suggesting a strong association between greater healthcare investment and reduced fatality rates. The study underscores the importance of robust healthcare funding in bolstering a nation’s capacity to manage and mitigate the impacts of health crises like COVID-19.