GITNUXREPORT 2025

Palliative Care Statistics

Global palliative care reaches millions, yet access remains limited worldwide.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Palliative care can reduce hospital admissions by up to 29% in certain populations

Statistic 2

Palliative care has been shown to significantly improve quality of life in patients with chronic illnesses

Statistic 3

Pain management is a core component of palliative care, with around 80% of cancer patients experiencing severe pain at some stage

Statistic 4

Palliative care can lead to a 28% reduction in symptom distress among patients

Statistic 5

In the U.S., hospice and palliative care programs are increasingly integrated into mainstream healthcare, accounting for over 55% of hospice admissions

Statistic 6

Palliative care can improve mental health outcomes, including reductions in depression and anxiety among patients with serious illness

Statistic 7

About 47% of people who receive palliative care in the U.S. do so alongside curative treatments, increasing overall survival and quality of life

Statistic 8

Children with cancer who receive palliative care have better symptom control and improved emotional well-being

Statistic 9

In the Netherlands, palliative care programs have been linked to a reduction in aggressive treatments near the end of life, promoting dignity and comfort

Statistic 10

The integration of palliative care in the management of heart failure patients is associated with improved symptom control and reduced hospitalizations

Statistic 11

Pain relief enhancement through palliative care is associated with increased patient happiness and satisfaction at end of life

Statistic 12

Advanced cancer patients receiving palliative care report higher satisfaction with their overall care compared to standard treatments alone

Statistic 13

Palliative care has been associated with decreased use of intensive life-sustaining treatments in the final weeks of life, aligning care with patient wishes

Statistic 14

Depression and anxiety are common among palliative care patients, affecting up to 50% of individuals with advanced illness, but effective psychosocial support can mitigate these issues

Statistic 15

Training healthcare professionals in palliative care improves patient outcomes and reduces caregiver burden, with studies showing up to a 40% improvement in symptom management

Statistic 16

In Australia, palliative care services are increasingly used, with over 60% of cancer deaths involving palliative care support, enhancing quality of death

Statistic 17

A study found that early integration of palliative care in oncology improves survival and quality of life, with patients living 2-3 months longer than those receiving standard care alone

Statistic 18

Palliative care reduces the physical and emotional burden on caregivers, with up to 70% reporting decreased stress levels

Statistic 19

In Singapore, integrated palliative care programs have led to a 20% decrease in hospital deaths, aligning with patient preferences

Statistic 20

Palliative care also addresses psychosocial and spiritual needs, with studies indicating 65% of patients find these aspects crucial for quality of life

Statistic 21

In Canada, palliative care patients who receive interdisciplinary team support demonstrate a 35% reduction in anxiety and depression symptoms

Statistic 22

Effective communication training for healthcare providers improves patient satisfaction in palliative settings by up to 30%

Statistic 23

The United States spends approximately $170 billion annually on end-of-life care, much of which is palliative care

Statistic 24

In the UK, palliative care services are estimated to save the National Health Service over £400 million annually through reduced hospital stays

Statistic 25

According to research, ignoring palliative care needs can lead to increased healthcare costs due to unnecessary hospitalizations and interventions, amounting to billions annually

Statistic 26

Approximately 19 million people worldwide receive palliative care annually

Statistic 27

According to global estimates, roughly 55 million people die each year, and 78% of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, many without access to palliative care

Statistic 28

The majority of palliative care patients are over 65 years old, representing about 60% of cases worldwide

Statistic 29

Palliative care research funding remains underfunded globally, with estimates showing less than 2% of health research budgets allocated to it

Statistic 30

Less than 14% of people who need palliative care currently receive it

Statistic 31

Globally, only 30% of seriously ill populations have access to palliative care services

Statistic 32

In high-income countries, about 70-90% of cancer patients receive palliative care at the end of life

Statistic 33

In the U.S., over 90% of Americans express a desire to die at home, but only about 25% do so with palliative and hospice care

Statistic 34

Approximately 80% of people at the end of life in Europe die in hospitals, despite many preferring to die at home

Statistic 35

In low- and middle-income countries, less than 1 in 10 people who need palliative care receive it

Statistic 36

Only about 15% of patients in developing countries have access to adequate palliative care

Statistic 37

Globally, about 87% of children needing palliative care die before reaching age 15, often with inadequate access to services

Statistic 38

In many countries, palliative care is not covered fully by insurance schemes, limiting access for low-income populations

Statistic 39

The use of opioids for pain relief in palliative care remains low in low-income countries, with less than 10% of those in need able to access it

Statistic 40

According to the Global Atlas on palliative care, less than 30% of those in need in Africa receive palliative care, indicating a significant gap

Statistic 41

In Japan, palliative care access is expanding, with over 80% of hospitals offering such services, improving end-of-life quality

Statistic 42

The use of telemedicine in palliative care has increased by over 300% during the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding access

Statistic 43

In many rural areas worldwide, access to palliative care services is limited to less than 10%, highlighting disparities in healthcare equity

Statistic 44

Globally, palliative care is recognized as an essential component of universal health coverage by the WHO, emphasizing its importance in healthcare systems

Statistic 45

The majority of patients receiving palliative care are male, accounting for approximately 54% of cases, reflecting gender disparities in healthcare access

Statistic 46

A major barrier to palliative care access is lack of awareness among healthcare providers and the public, with over 60% of primary care physicians unaware of available palliative services in their area

Statistic 47

The global palliative care workforce numbers approximately 3 million professionals, which is insufficient to meet global demand

Slide 1 of 47

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Key Highlights

Approximately 19 million people worldwide receive palliative care annually
Less than 14% of people who need palliative care currently receive it
Globally, only 30% of seriously ill populations have access to palliative care services
In high-income countries, about 70-90% of cancer patients receive palliative care at the end of life
The United States spends approximately $170 billion annually on end-of-life care, much of which is palliative care
Palliative care can reduce hospital admissions by up to 29% in certain populations
In the U.S., over 90% of Americans express a desire to die at home, but only about 25% do so with palliative and hospice care
Palliative care has been shown to significantly improve quality of life in patients with chronic illnesses
Approximately 80% of people at the end of life in Europe die in hospitals, despite many preferring to die at home
In low- and middle-income countries, less than 1 in 10 people who need palliative care receive it
Pain management is a core component of palliative care, with around 80% of cancer patients experiencing severe pain at some stage
Palliative care can lead to a 28% reduction in symptom distress among patients
Only about 15% of patients in developing countries have access to adequate palliative care

Despite serving over 19 million people annually, palliative care remains critically underutilized worldwide, reaching less than 14% of those in need and highlighting a profound gap in compassion and essential support for the seriously ill.

Clinical Outcomes and Patient Benefits

Palliative care can reduce hospital admissions by up to 29% in certain populations
Palliative care has been shown to significantly improve quality of life in patients with chronic illnesses
Pain management is a core component of palliative care, with around 80% of cancer patients experiencing severe pain at some stage
Palliative care can lead to a 28% reduction in symptom distress among patients
In the U.S., hospice and palliative care programs are increasingly integrated into mainstream healthcare, accounting for over 55% of hospice admissions
Palliative care can improve mental health outcomes, including reductions in depression and anxiety among patients with serious illness
About 47% of people who receive palliative care in the U.S. do so alongside curative treatments, increasing overall survival and quality of life
Children with cancer who receive palliative care have better symptom control and improved emotional well-being
In the Netherlands, palliative care programs have been linked to a reduction in aggressive treatments near the end of life, promoting dignity and comfort
The integration of palliative care in the management of heart failure patients is associated with improved symptom control and reduced hospitalizations
Pain relief enhancement through palliative care is associated with increased patient happiness and satisfaction at end of life
Advanced cancer patients receiving palliative care report higher satisfaction with their overall care compared to standard treatments alone
Palliative care has been associated with decreased use of intensive life-sustaining treatments in the final weeks of life, aligning care with patient wishes
Depression and anxiety are common among palliative care patients, affecting up to 50% of individuals with advanced illness, but effective psychosocial support can mitigate these issues
Training healthcare professionals in palliative care improves patient outcomes and reduces caregiver burden, with studies showing up to a 40% improvement in symptom management
In Australia, palliative care services are increasingly used, with over 60% of cancer deaths involving palliative care support, enhancing quality of death
A study found that early integration of palliative care in oncology improves survival and quality of life, with patients living 2-3 months longer than those receiving standard care alone
Palliative care reduces the physical and emotional burden on caregivers, with up to 70% reporting decreased stress levels
In Singapore, integrated palliative care programs have led to a 20% decrease in hospital deaths, aligning with patient preferences
Palliative care also addresses psychosocial and spiritual needs, with studies indicating 65% of patients find these aspects crucial for quality of life
In Canada, palliative care patients who receive interdisciplinary team support demonstrate a 35% reduction in anxiety and depression symptoms
Effective communication training for healthcare providers improves patient satisfaction in palliative settings by up to 30%

Clinical Outcomes and Patient Benefits Interpretation

Palliative care not only reduces hospitalizations and symptom distress while boosting quality of life but also champions dignity and emotional well-being, proving that compassionate, interdisciplinary support truly makes healthcare more humane and effective.

Economic Impact and Healthcare Costs

The United States spends approximately $170 billion annually on end-of-life care, much of which is palliative care
In the UK, palliative care services are estimated to save the National Health Service over £400 million annually through reduced hospital stays
According to research, ignoring palliative care needs can lead to increased healthcare costs due to unnecessary hospitalizations and interventions, amounting to billions annually

Economic Impact and Healthcare Costs Interpretation

While the U.S. spends a staggering $170 billion each year on end-of-life care, adopting comprehensive palliative approaches could not only alleviate suffering but also save billions by reducing unnecessary hospitalizations—a sobering reminder that compassionate care is both humane and economically wise.

Epidemiology and Global Burden of Disease

Approximately 19 million people worldwide receive palliative care annually
According to global estimates, roughly 55 million people die each year, and 78% of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, many without access to palliative care
The majority of palliative care patients are over 65 years old, representing about 60% of cases worldwide
Palliative care research funding remains underfunded globally, with estimates showing less than 2% of health research budgets allocated to it

Epidemiology and Global Burden of Disease Interpretation

With nearly 19 million receiving palliative care annually amid a global death toll skewed heavily toward underserved low- and middle-income countries, and with research funding languishing at less than 2%, it's clear that compassionate end-of-life care still remains largely a forgotten priority in the world's health agenda.

Palliative Care Access and Disparities

Less than 14% of people who need palliative care currently receive it
Globally, only 30% of seriously ill populations have access to palliative care services
In high-income countries, about 70-90% of cancer patients receive palliative care at the end of life
In the U.S., over 90% of Americans express a desire to die at home, but only about 25% do so with palliative and hospice care
Approximately 80% of people at the end of life in Europe die in hospitals, despite many preferring to die at home
In low- and middle-income countries, less than 1 in 10 people who need palliative care receive it
Only about 15% of patients in developing countries have access to adequate palliative care
Globally, about 87% of children needing palliative care die before reaching age 15, often with inadequate access to services
In many countries, palliative care is not covered fully by insurance schemes, limiting access for low-income populations
The use of opioids for pain relief in palliative care remains low in low-income countries, with less than 10% of those in need able to access it
According to the Global Atlas on palliative care, less than 30% of those in need in Africa receive palliative care, indicating a significant gap
In Japan, palliative care access is expanding, with over 80% of hospitals offering such services, improving end-of-life quality
The use of telemedicine in palliative care has increased by over 300% during the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding access
In many rural areas worldwide, access to palliative care services is limited to less than 10%, highlighting disparities in healthcare equity
Globally, palliative care is recognized as an essential component of universal health coverage by the WHO, emphasizing its importance in healthcare systems
The majority of patients receiving palliative care are male, accounting for approximately 54% of cases, reflecting gender disparities in healthcare access
A major barrier to palliative care access is lack of awareness among healthcare providers and the public, with over 60% of primary care physicians unaware of available palliative services in their area

Palliative Care Access and Disparities Interpretation

Despite palliative care's crucial role in universal health coverage, over 70% of those in need worldwide are denied access—highlighting that while death may be inevitable, equitable comfort should not be optional.

Workforce, Training, and Program Development

The global palliative care workforce numbers approximately 3 million professionals, which is insufficient to meet global demand

Workforce, Training, and Program Development Interpretation

With only about 3 million palliative care professionals serving a burgeoning global need, it's clear that our compassionate workforce is suffering from a severe case of under-resourcing, leaving many patients without the comfort they deserve.