Health in Galicia, Spain: official figures
Life expectancy at birth was 84.2 years in 2024 (84 for Spain); 7th highest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain.
How much does Galicia spend on health?
Galicia budgets €5.64 billion for health in 2026, 34.5% of its spending (4th highest of 17 shares; average 31.4%), 3.8% more than in 2025.
Source: Ministerio de Hacienda · saved copyHow many people are on the surgery waiting list in Galicia?
49,554 patients were waiting for planned surgery in the public health service of Galicia on 31 December 2025, 5.8% of Spain's 853,740; that is 18.8 per 1,000 residents, a rate that ranks 8th highest of 19 health services.
Source: Ministerio de Sanidad · saved copyHow long is the waiting list for an operation in Galicia?
The average wait for surgery in Galicia was 73 days at the end of 2025 (3rd shortest of 19), and 5.7% 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 Galicia?
Patients waiting for orthopaedic and trauma surgery in Galicia had waited 88 days on average on 31 December 2025.
Source: Ministerio de Sanidad · saved copyHow long do you wait to see a specialist in Galicia?
For a first appointment with a hospital specialist, 205,248 people were waiting in Galicia at the end of 2025 (77.9 per 1,000 residents), with an average wait of 63 days, 5th shortest of 19.
Source: Ministerio de Sanidad · saved copyWhat percentage of patients in Galicia wait more than 60 days for a specialist?
In Galicia, 41.3% of patients waiting for a first specialist consultation on 31 December 2025 had been waiting more than 60 days (2nd lowest of 19).
Source: Ministerio de Sanidad · saved copyWhat is the death rate in Galicia?
The age-standardised death rate from all causes was 785.1 per 100,000 people in 2021, against 828.8 for Spain as a whole and 1,073.4 across the EU; 6th 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 Galicia?
The age-standardised cancer death rate was 214.8 per 100,000 in 2023 (Spain: 210.0; EU: 233.1); 7th highest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain. In 2015 it was 233.6.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people die of heart disease in Galicia?
Heart and circulatory diseases caused 192.4 deaths per 100,000 in 2023 (age-standardised) (Spain: 200.2; EU: 312.9); 8th lowest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain. In 2015 it was 243.3.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people die of respiratory disease in Galicia?
Respiratory diseases caused 79.7 deaths per 100,000 in 2023 (age-standardised) (Spain: 81.4; EU: 75.2); 10th highest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain. In 2015 it was 99.7.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the suicide rate in Galicia?
In 2023, 10.1 people per 100,000 took their own life (age-standardised) (Spain: 8.0; EU: 10.4); 2nd highest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain. In 2015 it was 10.5.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people die in accidents in Galicia?
Accidents, injuries, violence and other external causes killed 40.0 per 100,000 in 2023 (age-standardised) (Spain: 32.9; EU: 49.4); 2nd highest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain. In 2015 it was 37.3.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the infant mortality rate in Galicia?
1.5 babies in every 1,000 born alive died before their first birthday in 2024, compared with 3.0 nationally and 3.5 in the EU; the lowest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain. In 2014 it was 2.0.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many hospital beds does Galicia have?
There were 317 hospital beds per 100,000 people in 2024, compared with 283 nationally; 8th highest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many doctors are there in Galicia?
There were 389 doctors per 100,000 people in 2024, compared with 464 nationally; 4th lowest of 18 autonomous communities in Spain.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people go to hospital in Galicia?
Hospitals discharged 9,684 in-patients per 100,000 people in 2021, against 8,983 for Spain as a whole; 7th highest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain. In 2012 it was 10,396.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyCan people in Galicia get medical care?
In 2025, 2.4% of people reported going without a needed medical examination because of cost, distance or waiting lists (Spain: 1.6%); 3rd highest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people die on the roads in Galicia?
There were 48 road deaths per million people in 2024, compared with 36 nationally; 6th highest of 19 autonomous communities in Spain. In 2014 it was 51.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is life expectancy for men and women in Galicia?
Women in Galicia could expect to live to 87.0 and men to 81.3 at 2024 death rates, a gap of 5.7 years.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow long do people live after 65 in Galicia?
People who reached 65 could expect 22.1 more years of life in 2024 (Spain: 21.9).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow Galicia compares with other autonomous communities
Health spending, share of the 2026 regional budget (2026)
Galicia ranks 4 of 17, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Health spending, share of the 2026 regional budget |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asturias | 37.1% |
| 2 | Canary Islands | 36.6% |
| 3 | Castilla y León | 35.7% |
| 4 | Galicia | 34.5% |
| 5 | Andalusia | 34.4% |
| 6 | Aragón | 34.0% |
| 7 | Castilla-La Mancha | 33.7% |
Average wait for planned surgery, 31 Dec 2025 (days) (2025)
Galicia ranks 17 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)
Galicia ranks 17 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)
Galicia ranks 8 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Patients waiting for surgery per 1,000 residents, 31 Dec 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Asturias | 22.1 |
| 6 | Extremadura | 22.0 |
| 7 | Murcia | 21.5 |
| 8 | Galicia | 18.8 |
| 9 | Aragón | 18.7 |
| 10 | Castilla-La Mancha | 18.2 |
| 11 | Navarre | 16.1 |
Average wait for a first specialist appointment, 31 Dec 2025 (days) (2025)
Galicia ranks 15 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Average wait for a first specialist appointment, 31 Dec 2025 (days) |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Balearic Islands | 71 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 |
Deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised, all causes) (2021)
Galicia ranks 14 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised, all causes) |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Aragón | 811.6 |
| 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 |
Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) (2023)
Galicia ranks 7 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Andalusia | 217.3 |
| 5 | Basque Country | 216.4 |
| 6 | Cantabria | 215.7 |
| 7 | Galicia | 214.8 |
| 8 | Canary Islands | 214.3 |
| 9 | Murcia | 213.3 |
| 10 | Extremadura | 213.0 |
Heart and circulatory deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) (2023)
Galicia ranks 12 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Heart and circulatory deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | La Rioja | 211.2 |
| 10 | Asturias | 210.5 |
| 11 | Balearic Islands | 204.1 |
| 12 | Galicia | 192.4 |
| 13 | Castilla-La Mancha | 191.9 |
| 14 | Catalonia | 184.8 |
| 15 | Basque Country | 178.1 |
Respiratory deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) (2023)
Galicia ranks 10 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Respiratory deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Madrid | 88.8 |
| 8 | Murcia | 84.0 |
| 9 | Cantabria | 83.8 |
| 10 | Galicia | 79.7 |
| 11 | Valencian Community | 79.0 |
| 12 | Catalonia | 78.9 |
| 13 | Navarre | 74.7 |
Suicides per 100,000 (age-standardised) (2023)
Galicia ranks 2 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Suicides per 100,000 (age-standardised) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asturias | 12.2 |
| 2 | Galicia | 10.1 |
| 3 | Canary Islands | 10.0 |
| 4 | Navarre | 9.2 |
| 5 | Andalusia | 9.1 |
| 6 | La Rioja | 8.6 |
| 7 | Valencian Community | 8.4 |
Deaths from accidents, injury and violence per 100,000 (2023)
Galicia ranks 2 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Deaths from accidents, injury and violence per 100,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asturias | 43.2 |
| 2 | Galicia | 40.0 |
| 3 | Navarre | 39.6 |
| 4 | La Rioja | 39.2 |
| 5 | Canary Islands | 36.0 |
| 6 | Catalonia | 35.7 |
| 7 | Castilla y León | 35.0 |
Infant deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)
Galicia ranks 19 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)
Galicia ranks 8 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Hospital beds per 100,000 people |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Extremadura | 343 |
| 6 | Basque Country | 327 |
| 7 | La Rioja | 319 |
| 8 | Galicia | 317 |
| 9 | Navarre | 316 |
| 10 | Cantabria | 307 |
| 11 | Murcia | 293 |
Doctors per 100,000 people (2024)
Galicia ranks 15 of 18, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Doctors per 100,000 people |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Castilla y León | 443 |
| 13 | Valencian Community | 438 |
| 14 | Balearic Islands | 419 |
| 15 | Galicia | 389 |
| 16 | Andalusia | 360 |
| 17 | La Rioja | 359 |
| 18 | Castilla-La Mancha | 328 |
Hospital in-patient discharges per 100,000 (2021)
Galicia ranks 7 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Hospital in-patient discharges per 100,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Basque Country | 10,126 |
| 5 | La Rioja | 9,912 |
| 6 | Castilla y León | 9,729 |
| 7 | Galicia | 9,684 |
| 8 | Extremadura | 9,500 |
| 9 | Murcia | 9,450 |
| 10 | Balearic Islands | 9,148 |
Unmet need for medical care (cost, distance or waiting list) (2025)
Galicia ranks 3 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unmet need for medical care (cost, distance or waiting list) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Castilla-La Mancha | 3.1% |
| 2 | La Rioja | 3.0% |
| 3 | Galicia | 2.4% |
| 4 | Aragón | 2.2% |
| 5 | Andalusia | 2.1% |
| 6 | Castilla y León | 2.0% |
| 7 | Navarre | 2.0% |
Road deaths per million people (2024)
Galicia ranks 6 of 19, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Road deaths per million people |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Aragón | 53 |
| 4 | Castilla-La Mancha | 50 |
| 5 | Balearic Islands | 50 |
| 6 | Galicia | 48 |
| 7 | Asturias | 43 |
| 8 | La Rioja | 43 |
| 9 | Extremadura | 42 |
More on Galicia: 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…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.