EU PUBLIC HEALTH OUTLOOK 2026
Executive Summary Structural Transformation (2016–2026) Between 2016 and 2026, EU public health systems experienced profound structural change driven by population ageing, chronic disease burden, and the systemic shock of COVID-19. The proportion of citizens aged 65+ increased from ~19% (2016) to over 22% (2026), intensifying demand for long-term and complex care. Non-communicable diseases account for >85% of total mortality, reinforcing the shift toward integrated, prevention-oriented care models. EU health expenditure rose from 9.8% of GDP (2016) to 10.9% (2026), reflecting demographic pressure, workforce costs, and post-pandemic resilience investments . However, outcome divergence persists: life expectancy averages 81.3 years, yet falls below 78.5 years in lower-performing Member States. Preventable mortality varies widely, from 200 per 100,000 in weaker systems. #AI #DigitalHealth #Europe #Healthcare #Hospitals #Innovation #Investment #PublicHealth














