Doctors: 1 per 538 people

Major causes of death: Cancers, heart and respiratory diseases

The comprehensive state health service is funded from national insurance.

Rising costs are the result of an aging population and the spread of more sophisticated and expensive treatments. Health care was the main issue of the 2000 election campaign. Popular backing for retaining the present publicly funded system has encouraged the LP government to restore spending to earlier levels, after a period of cuts made in an effort to reduce the budget deficit. There is fierce debate over the possibility of privatization.

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004