Canada spends far less than U.S. on health care and we live longer

The U.S. spends the most on health care compared with other developed countries, but has one of the lowest life expectancy rates, a new study found.

It spends about $3 trillion or 16 per cent of its $14.6-trillion GDP on health, but Americans on average only live 77.9 years, states the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

That means total health care spending in the U.S. is around $10,000 per person, whereas in Canada that figure less than half at just under $4,000.

OECD's "Society at a Glance" shows the U.S. spends about five per cent more of its GDP than any other nation with the next closest country being France at 11.2 per cent. Canada comes in sixth, spending 10.2 per cent of GDP. Mexico, the country where people work the most hours per day, spends the least at 5.9 per cent.

But those health care dollars do not add up to life expectancy.

While the U.S. leads in spending, it is 27th on the life expectancy list. Average Canadians can expect to live 80.7 years, placing us tenth on the list. Japan leads in this category with rates at 82.7, while South Africa comes in last at 51.5 years.

(AFP photo)