Overview
- The Federal Statistical Office reported on Thursday that direct disease costs in 2024 totaled €528.5 billion, a 7.6 percent rise versus 2023 and equal to €6,330 per person.
- People aged 65 and over accounted for 53.8 percent of total spending, with per-capita costs of €15,080 in that group and €30,150 for those 85 and older.
- Women’s average direct costs were about 22.5 percent higher than men’s (€6,960 versus €5,680), driven by longer life expectancy and care related to pregnancy, childbirth and age‑linked conditions.
- Diseases of the circulatory system (€69.4 billion) and mental and behavioral disorders (€68.7 billion) were the two largest cost categories, together making up roughly 26 percent of the total.
- Insurers and analysts warn the faster growth in health spending could strain the statutory health insurance system, with rising long-term sick leave for mental illness cited as a particular concern and one outlet’s higher €566 billion figure flagged as a disputed inconsistency.