Health systems around the world
Countries organise basic health cover in a few broad ways. Find which model your country uses and which countries work the same way.
Public system
Basic health cover is funded and run by the state or by public funds. Private insurance is optional and mostly tops up what the public system leaves out.
Mandatory private cover
Residents must buy basic health insurance from private insurers, under rules set by the state. Insurers cannot refuse the basic package.
Statutory + private
A statutory system exists alongside private insurance. Depending on the country, some residents can choose between them or add private cover on top.
Statutory social insurance
A statutory social insurance scheme, often funded by contributions from workers and employers, covers residents. Private insurance usually tops up co-payments and uncovered care.
Employer-based and private
There is no universal public cover for everyone. Most people rely on employer-provided or privately bought insurance, with public programmes for specific groups.
Mixed public and private
Public programmes and private insurance share the load. Which one applies depends on income, employment or residency status.