EU Counted 2.3 Million Hospital Beds in 2022

In 2022, the European Union recorded 2.3 million hospital beds, a decrease of 7% (or 171,110 beds) since 2012. This decline reflects advancements in medical technology and treatments, which have reduced the need for prolonged in-patient care, shifting some procedures to day care or out-patient settings.

On average, the EU had 516 hospital beds per 100,000 people in 2022, down from 563 beds per 100,000 people in 2012. The highest numbers of hospital beds were found 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).

Germany also had the second-highest ratio of hospital beds relative to its population, with 766 beds per 100,000 people. Bulgaria recorded the highest ratio with 823 beds per 100,000 people, followed by Romania with 728 beds per 100,000 people.

Conversely, Sweden (190), the Netherlands (245), Denmark (248), Finland (261), Ireland (291), and Spain (294) had the lowest numbers of hospital beds relative to their populations, all with fewer than 300 beds per 100,000 people.

Regarding long-term care, the highest rates of long-term care beds in nursing and other residential facilities were found in the Netherlands (1,420 beds per 100,000 people), Sweden (1,299), and Belgium (1,283). Bulgaria (25), Greece (26), and Poland (214) had the lowest rates.