Hospital beds in the EU have fallen in the last decade by 7%, according to its figures Eurostat which were released today. In 2022, the EU had 2.3 million hospital beds, corresponding to 516 hospital beds per 100,000 people, compared to 563 beds in 2012.

This reduction reflects, according to Eurostat, the scientific and technological developments that reduced the average length of stay for in-hospital procedures. Also, the data only cover inpatient beds (excluding day care beds and outpatient beds).

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

Relative to population size, Bulgaria has the highest number of hospital beds with 823 hospital beds per 100,000 people, while Germany has the second highest number with 766 beds per 100,000 people. Romania follows with 728 beds.

THE Hellas ranks 14th among the 27 EU countries, with around 440 beds per 100,000 people and lower than the EU average of 516 beds per 100,000 people.

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

In terms of long-term care beds in nursing and other residential long-term care facilities, in 2022, the highest rates were recorded 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) recorded the lowest rates.