Health in Basque Country, Spain: official figures
Life expectancy at birth was 84.7 years in 2024 (84 for Spain); 3rd highest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain.
How much does the Basque Country spend on health?
The Basque Country budgets €5.35 billion for health in 2026, 30.9% of its spending (5th lowest of 17 shares; average 31.4%), 4.0% more than in 2025.
Source: Ministerio de Hacienda · saved copyHow many people are on the surgery waiting list in the Basque Country?
24,069 patients were waiting for planned surgery in the public health service of the Basque Country on 31 December 2025, 2.8% of Spain's 853,740; that is 10.8 per 1,000 residents, a rate that ranks 3rd lowest of 19 health services.
Source: Ministerio de Sanidad · saved copyHow long is the waiting list for an operation in the Basque Country?
The average wait for surgery in the Basque Country was 64 days at the end of 2025 (2nd shortest of 19), and 2.3% of patients on the list had been waiting more than six months.
Source: Ministerio de Sanidad · saved copyHow long is the wait for knee or hip surgery in the Basque Country?
Patients waiting for orthopaedic and trauma surgery in the Basque Country had waited 78 days on average on 31 December 2025.
Source: Ministerio de Sanidad · saved copyHow long do you wait to see a specialist in the Basque Country?
For a first appointment with a hospital specialist, 75,612 people were waiting in the Basque Country at the end of 2025 (34.0 per 1,000 residents), with an average wait of 49 days, 3rd shortest of 19.
Source: Ministerio de Sanidad · saved copyWhat percentage of patients in the Basque Country wait more than 60 days for a specialist?
In the Basque Country, 69.2% of patients waiting for a first specialist consultation on 31 December 2025 had been waiting more than 60 days (6th highest of 19).
Source: Ministerio de Sanidad · saved copyWhat is the death rate in Basque Country?
The age-standardised death rate from all causes was 779.1 per 100,000 people in 2021, compared with 828.8 nationally and 1,073.4 in the EU; 5th lowest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain. Age-standardised rates allow fair comparison between places with older and younger populations.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people die of cancer in Basque Country?
Cancer killed 216.4 people per 100,000 in 2023 (age-standardised), compared with 210.0 nationally and 233.1 in the EU; 5th highest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain. In 2015 it was 249.3.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people die of heart disease in Basque Country?
The age-standardised death rate from heart attacks, strokes and other circulatory diseases was 178.1 per 100,000 in 2023, compared with 200.2 nationally and 312.9 in the EU; 5th lowest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain. In 2015 it was 218.9.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people die of respiratory disease in Basque Country?
Respiratory diseases caused 51.5 deaths per 100,000 in 2023 (age-standardised), compared with 81.4 nationally and 75.2 in the EU; the lowest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain. In 2015 it was 79.5.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the suicide rate in Basque Country?
In 2023, 5.8 people per 100,000 took their own life (age-standardised), compared with 8.0 nationally and 10.4 in the EU; 3rd lowest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain. In 2015 it was 7.3.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people die in accidents in Basque Country?
Accidents, injuries, violence and other external causes killed 27.8 per 100,000 in 2023 (age-standardised), compared with 32.9 nationally and 49.4 in the EU; 5th lowest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain. In 2015 it was 27.6.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the infant mortality rate in Basque Country?
The infant mortality rate was 2.0 per 1,000 live births in 2024, against 3.0 for Spain as a whole and 3.5 across the EU; 2nd lowest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain. In 2014 it was 2.2.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many hospital beds does Basque Country have?
Hospitals in Basque Country had 327 beds for every 100,000 residents in 2024, against 283 for Spain as a whole; 6th highest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many doctors are there in Basque Country?
Basque Country had 603 physicians for every 100,000 residents in 2024, against 464 for Spain as a whole; 3rd highest of 18 autonomous communities in Spain.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people go to hospital in Basque Country?
Hospitals discharged 10,126 in-patients per 100,000 people in 2021, compared with 8,983 nationally; 4th highest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain. In 2012 it was 11,075.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyCan people in Basque Country get medical care?
In 2025, 0.8% of people reported going without a needed medical examination because of cost, distance or waiting lists, compared with 1.6% nationally; 2nd lowest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people die on the roads in Basque Country?
Road accidents killed 21 people per million residents in 2024, against 36 for Spain as a whole; 4th lowest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain. In 2014 it was 17.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is life expectancy for men and women in Basque Country?
Women in Basque Country could expect to live to 87.3 and men to 82.0 at 2024 death rates, a gap of 5.3 years.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow long do people live after 65 in Basque Country?
People who reached 65 could expect 22.3 more years of life in 2024 (Spain: 21.9).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow Basque Country compares with other autonomous communities
Health spending, share of the 2026 regional budget (2026)
Basque Country ranks 13 of 17, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Health spending, share of the 2026 regional budget |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Extremadura | 32.8% |
| 11 | Cantabria | 32.4% |
| 12 | Murcia | 32.0% |
| 13 | Basque Country | 30.9% |
| 14 | La Rioja | 30.8% |
| 15 | Valencian Community | 28.2% |
| 16 | Catalonia | 24.7% |
Average wait for planned surgery, 31 Dec 2025 (days) (2025)
Basque Country ranks 18 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Average wait for planned surgery, 31 Dec 2025 (days) |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Valencian Community | 88 days |
| 14 | Castilla y León | 87 days |
| 15 | Ciudad de Melilla | 82 days |
| 16 | La Rioja | 78 days |
| 17 | Galicia | 73 days |
| 18 | Basque Country | 64 days |
| 19 | Madrid | 50 days |
Surgical patients waiting over six months, 31 Dec 2025 (2025)
Basque Country ranks 18 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Surgical patients waiting over six months, 31 Dec 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Castilla y León | 13.8% |
| 14 | Asturias | 10.4% |
| 15 | Ciudad de Melilla | 8.2% |
| 16 | La Rioja | 6.4% |
| 17 | Galicia | 5.7% |
| 18 | Basque Country | 2.3% |
| 19 | Madrid | 0.8% |
Patients waiting for surgery per 1,000 residents, 31 Dec 2025 (2025)
Basque Country ranks 17 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Patients waiting for surgery per 1,000 residents, 31 Dec 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Balearic Islands | 13.6 |
| 14 | Ciudad de Melilla | 12.7 |
| 15 | Ciudad de Ceuta | 12.1 |
| 16 | Madrid | 11.2 |
| 17 | Basque Country | 10.8 |
| 18 | Castilla y León | 10.6 |
| 19 | Valencian Community | 9.9 |
Average wait for a first specialist appointment, 31 Dec 2025 (days) (2025)
Basque Country ranks 17 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Average wait for a first specialist appointment, 31 Dec 2025 (days) |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Madrid | 68 days |
| 14 | Castilla-La Mancha | 64 days |
| 15 | Galicia | 63 days |
| 16 | Cantabria | 61 days |
| 17 | Basque Country | 49 days |
| 18 | La Rioja | 32 days |
| 19 | Ciudad de Melilla | 16 days |
Deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised, all causes) (2021)
Basque Country ranks 15 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised, all causes) |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Balearic Islands | 807.4 |
| 13 | Catalonia | 805.9 |
| 14 | Galicia | 785.1 |
| 15 | Basque Country | 779.1 |
| 16 | Cantabria | 771.8 |
| 17 | Castilla y León | 749.1 |
| 18 | Navarre | 725.1 |
Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) (2023)
Basque Country ranks 5 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Asturias | 224.2 |
| 3 | Balearic Islands | 220.0 |
| 4 | Andalusia | 217.3 |
| 5 | Basque Country | 216.4 |
| 6 | Cantabria | 215.7 |
| 7 | Galicia | 214.8 |
| 8 | Canary Islands | 214.3 |
Heart and circulatory deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) (2023)
Basque Country ranks 15 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Heart and circulatory deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Galicia | 192.4 |
| 13 | Castilla-La Mancha | 191.9 |
| 14 | Catalonia | 184.8 |
| 15 | Basque Country | 178.1 |
| 16 | Cantabria | 176.5 |
| 17 | Castilla y León | 169.3 |
| 18 | Navarre | 167.4 |
Respiratory deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) (2023)
Basque Country ranks 19 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Respiratory deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Navarre | 74.7 |
| 14 | Asturias | 73.4 |
| 15 | Balearic Islands | 71.9 |
| 16 | Castilla y León | 68.4 |
| 17 | La Rioja | 62.1 |
| 18 | Aragón | 55.8 |
| 19 | Basque Country | 51.5 |
Suicides per 100,000 (age-standardised) (2023)
Basque Country ranks 17 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Suicides per 100,000 (age-standardised) |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Aragón | 7.1 |
| 14 | Balearic Islands | 7.0 |
| 15 | Extremadura | 6.9 |
| 16 | Cantabria | 6.8 |
| 17 | Basque Country | 5.8 |
| 18 | Madrid | 5.8 |
| 19 | Ciudad de Ceuta | 5.6 |
Deaths from accidents, injury and violence per 100,000 (2023)
Basque Country ranks 15 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Deaths from accidents, injury and violence per 100,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Valencian Community | 32.6 |
| 13 | Andalusia | 31.8 |
| 14 | Ciudad de Melilla | 30.8 |
| 15 | Basque Country | 27.8 |
| 16 | Murcia | 27.4 |
| 17 | Aragón | 26.7 |
| 18 | Ciudad de Ceuta | 24.8 |
Infant deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)
Basque Country ranks 18 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Infant deaths per 1,000 live births |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | La Rioja | 2.9 |
| 14 | Madrid | 2.8 |
| 15 | Castilla y León | 2.7 |
| 16 | Navarre | 2.4 |
| 17 | Aragón | 2.1 |
| 18 | Basque Country | 2.0 |
| 19 | Galicia | 1.5 |
Hospital beds per 100,000 people (2024)
Basque Country ranks 6 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Hospital beds per 100,000 people |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Aragón | 352 |
| 4 | Castilla y León | 343 |
| 5 | Extremadura | 343 |
| 6 | Basque Country | 327 |
| 7 | La Rioja | 319 |
| 8 | Galicia | 317 |
| 9 | Navarre | 316 |
Doctors per 100,000 people (2024)
Basque Country ranks 3 of 18, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Doctors per 100,000 people |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ciudad de Ceuta | 639 |
| 2 | Madrid | 618 |
| 3 | Basque Country | 603 |
| 4 | Aragón | 599 |
| 5 | Extremadura | 541 |
| 6 | Asturias | 530 |
| 7 | Navarre | 514 |
Hospital in-patient discharges per 100,000 (2021)
Basque Country ranks 4 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Hospital in-patient discharges per 100,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aragón | 10,410 |
| 2 | Catalonia | 10,241 |
| 3 | Asturias | 10,128 |
| 4 | Basque Country | 10,126 |
| 5 | La Rioja | 9,912 |
| 6 | Castilla y León | 9,729 |
| 7 | Galicia | 9,684 |
Unmet need for medical care (cost, distance or waiting list) (2025)
Basque Country ranks 18 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unmet need for medical care (cost, distance or waiting list) |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Extremadura | 1.1% |
| 14 | Asturias | 1.1% |
| 15 | Ciudad de Melilla | 1.1% |
| 16 | Catalonia | 0.9% |
| 17 | Balearic Islands | 0.9% |
| 18 | Basque Country | 0.8% |
| 19 | Murcia | 0.6% |
Road deaths per million people (2024)
Basque Country ranks 16 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Road deaths per million people |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Cantabria | 32 |
| 14 | Canary Islands | 31 |
| 15 | Valencian Community | 30 |
| 16 | Basque Country | 21 |
| 17 | Madrid | 18 |
| 18 | Ciudad de Ceuta | 12 |
| 19 | Ciudad de Melilla | 11 |
More on Basque Country: overview · economy and jobs · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · government and politics · Spain
Sources
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset demo_r_mlifexp: Life expectancy at birth, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 62800ed9bbb3…)
- Ministerio de Sanidad: Sistema de Información sobre Listas de Espera en el SNS (SISLE-SNS): data by autonomous community at 31 December 2025 (rectified), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 6fe3e65b851a…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset tran_r_acci: Victims in road accidents by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 a183ad1f888d…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset demo_r_minfind: Infant mortality rates by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 60cbafea3657…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset hlth_co_disch2t: Hospital discharges by diagnosis and NUTS 2 region (in-patients), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 d93487a1c1f9…)
- Ministerio de Hacienda: Presupuestos Generales de las Comunidades Autónomas, año 2026 (resumen ejecutivo, published 31 March 2026), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 81db80f35219…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset hlth_cd_asdr2: Causes of death: standardised death rate by NUTS 2 region of residence, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 308c4b705d5d…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset hlth_silc_08_r: Self-reported unmet needs for medical examination by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 e5484460cdfc…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset demo_r_mlifexp: Life expectancy by age, sex and NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 f5a2a33406b9…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset hlth_rs_physreg: Physicians by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 4ff68eb77f8b…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset hlth_rs_bdsrg2: Hospital beds by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 3178c155028f…)
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