Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
The indicator is part of the EU Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicator set. It is used to monitor progress towards SDG 3 on good health and well-being and SDG 1 on no poverty as a multi-purpose indicator (MPI); these SDGs are embedded in the European Commission’s Priorities under the 'European Green Deal', 'An economy that works for peopl' and 'Promoting our European way of life'.
SDG 3 aims to ensure health and well-being for all at all ages by improving reproductive, maternal and child health; ending the epidemics of major communicable diseases; reducing non-communicable and mental diseases. SDG 1 calls for an eradication of extreme poverty and for a reduction of relative poverty over the next 15 years. Since social norms and expectations may affect responses to questions about unmet care needs, caution is required in comparing the magnitude of inequalities across countries.
Indicator is also included as a main indicator in the Social Scoreboard for the European Pillar of Social Rights.
Universal health coverage is an objective of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. One of the three priorities of the EU’s health policy is increasing accessibility to healthcare. Further information can be found in the 2014 Commission Communication on effective, accessible and resilient health systems. In addition, one of the 20 principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights is that everyone has the right to timely access to affordable, preventive and curative health care of good quality.
4.1. Data description
The indicator measures the share of the population aged 16 and over reporting unmet needs for medical care due to one of the following reasons: ‘Financial reasons’, ‘Waiting list’ and ‘Too far to travel’ (all three categories are cumulated). Self-reported unmet needs concern a person’s own assessment of whether he or she needed medical examination or treatment (dental care excluded), but did not have it or did not seek it.
The data stem from the EU Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU SILC).
Note on the interpretation: The indicator is derived from self-reported data so it is, to a certain extent, affected by respondents’ subjective perception as well as by their social and cultural background. Another factor playing a role is the different organisation of health care services, be that nationally or locally. All these factors should be taken into account when analysing the data and interpreting the results.
4.2. Unit of measure
% of population aged 16 and over
4.3. Reference Period
Calendar year.
4.4. Accuracy - overall
From 2021Regulation (EU) 2019/1700 foresees the requirements relating to geographical coverage, detailed sample characteristics, including subsampling, in accordance with Annex III, common data gathering periods, common standards for editing and imputation, weighting, estimation and variance estimation.
Before 2021 onwards EU-SILC is based on a common framework defined by harmonised lists of primary and secondary variables, common concepts, a recommended design, common requirements (such as imputation procedures, weighting, sampling errors calculation) and classifications aiming at maximising comparability of the information produced. Details can be found in the metadata of the source datasets.
4.5. Source data
4.5.1. Source data - Organisation
ESS (SILC)
4.5.2. Source data - Comment
Data source: Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (SILC). Data provider: Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, based on data reported by the countries.
5.1. Frequency of dissemination
5.1.1. Frequency of dissemination - Grade
Every year
5.1.2. Frequency of dissemination - Comment
Indicator is updated annually. Complete and updated ESS data release information can be accessed via Eurostat release calendar.
5.2. Timeliness
5.2.1. Timeliness - Grade
T+1 year
5.2.2. Timeliness - Comment
New data points are disseminated within two years after the reference year.
6.1. Reference area
6.1.1. Reference Area - Grade
All EU MS
6.1.2. Reference Area - Comment
Data are presented for all EU Member States plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, North Macedonia and Serbia.
6.2. Comparability - geographical
6.2.1. Comparability - geographical - Grade
All EU MS
6.2.2. Comparability - geographical - Comment
Data are comparable between all EU Member States respectively other presented countries.
6.3. Coverage - Time
6.3.1. Time Coverage - Grade
> 10 years
6.3.2. Time Coverage - Comment
Presented time series (including EU aggregates) starts in 2008.
6.4. Comparability - over time
6.4.1. Comparability - over time - Grade
> 4 data points
6.4.2. Comparability - over time - Comment
Length of comparable time series without methodological break is longer than 4 data points.
7.1. Dissemination format - Publications
Analysis of indicator is presented in Eurostat's annual monitoring report on Sustainable development in the EU (progress towards SDGs in the EU context).
The indicator measures the share of the population aged 16 and over reporting unmet needs for medical care due to one of the following reasons: ‘Financial reasons’, ‘Waiting list’ and ‘Too far to travel’ (all three categories are cumulated). Self-reported unmet needs concern a person’s own assessment of whether he or she needed medical examination or treatment (dental care excluded), but did not have it or did not seek it.
The data stem from the EU Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU SILC).
Note on the interpretation: The indicator is derived from self-reported data so it is, to a certain extent, affected by respondents’ subjective perception as well as by their social and cultural background. Another factor playing a role is the different organisation of health care services, be that nationally or locally. All these factors should be taken into account when analysing the data and interpreting the results.
4 June 2024
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Calendar year.
From 2021Regulation (EU) 2019/1700 foresees the requirements relating to geographical coverage, detailed sample characteristics, including subsampling, in accordance with Annex III, common data gathering periods, common standards for editing and imputation, weighting, estimation and variance estimation.
Before 2021 onwards EU-SILC is based on a common framework defined by harmonised lists of primary and secondary variables, common concepts, a recommended design, common requirements (such as imputation procedures, weighting, sampling errors calculation) and classifications aiming at maximising comparability of the information produced. Details can be found in the metadata of the source datasets.
