EU counted 2.3 million hospital beds in 2022

In 2022, the EU had 2.3 million hospital beds. Looking back to the last decade, the number of hospital beds decreased by 7% (-171 110 beds) since 2012. In relation to the EU population, on average, there were 516 hospital beds per 100 000 people in 2022, while in 2012 there were 563. This reduction reflects not only the fact that data on hospital beds only covers beds for in-patient care (excluding day care and out-patient care beds), but also the scientific and technological developments which reduced the average length of stay for in-patient procedures or replaced those procedures with ones provided by day care or out-patient care.

The highest numbers of hospital beds were registered in Germany (642 107), France (374 290) and Poland (231 789), while the lowest were in Malta (2 158), Luxembourg (2 609) and Cyprus (2 857).

Source dataset: hlth_rs_bds1

Among the EU countries, Germany recorded not only the highest number of hospital beds but also the second highest number relative to population size, with 766 beds per 100 000 people. 

Bulgaria registered the highest ratio relative to its population size, with an average of 823 hospital beds per 100 000 people. These 2 countries were followed by Romania, with the third highest ratio (728 hospital beds).  

In 2022, Sweden (190), the Netherlands (245), Denmark (248), Finland (261), Ireland (291) and Spain (294 beds) recorded the lowest numbers of hospital beds relative to their population size, all under 300 beds per 100 000 people.

Source dataset: hlth_rs_bdltc and  hlth_rs_bds1

In terms of long-term care beds in nursing and other residential long-term care facilities, in 2022, the highest rates were registered in the Netherlands (1 420 long-term care beds per 100 000 people), Sweden (1 299) and Belgium (1 283). 

Bulgaria (25 long-term care beds per 100 000 people) and Greece (26) registered the lowest rates, followed by Poland (214).