GITNUXREPORT 2026

U.S. Healthcare Industry Statistics

The U.S. healthcare system is a massive $4.5 trillion industry with the highest costs globally.

Min-ji Park

Research Analyst focused on sustainability and consumer trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

In 2022, U.S. national health expenditures totaled $4.5 trillion, accounting for 17.3 percent of the nation's Gross Domestic Product.

Statistic 2

National health spending grew 4.1% to $4.5 trillion in 2022, or $13,493 per person.

Statistic 3

U.S. health spending per capita was $12,555 in 2021, more than twice the average of comparable OECD countries.

Statistic 4

Prescription drugs accounted for 9% of total national health expenditures in 2022, totaling $405.9 billion.

Statistic 5

Hospital care expenditures reached $1.3 trillion in 2022, representing 29% of total health spending.

Statistic 6

Medicare spending grew 8.1% to $944.3 billion in 2022, accounting for 21% of total NHE.

Statistic 7

Medicaid spending increased by 9.7% to $805.9 billion in 2022, or 18% of total national health spending.

Statistic 8

Private health insurance spending rose 6.2% to $1.3 trillion in 2022, covering 28% of NHE.

Statistic 9

Out-of-pocket spending on healthcare was $433.7 billion in 2022, 9.7% of total NHE.

Statistic 10

Administrative costs in the U.S. healthcare system were estimated at $496 billion in 2019, or 8% of total spending.

Statistic 11

U.S. health spending growth averaged 4.5% annually from 2019-2022, outpacing GDP growth.

Statistic 12

Physician and clinical services accounted for $807.7 billion in 2022, 18% of NHE.

Statistic 13

Nursing care facilities spending totaled $205.2 billion in 2022, up 5.4% from prior year.

Statistic 14

Home health care expenditures were $133.0 billion in 2022, growing 7.9%.

Statistic 15

Dental services spending reached $175.1 billion in 2022, 3.9% of NHE.

Statistic 16

Other professional services like ambulance and lab accounted for $161.5 billion in 2022.

Statistic 17

Government health spending was 37% of total NHE in 2022, totaling $1.7 trillion.

Statistic 18

Employer-sponsored insurance premiums averaged $23,968 for family coverage in 2023.

Statistic 19

Average annual premium for single coverage was $8,435 in 2023, up 7% from 2022.

Statistic 20

Workers contributed 29% of family premiums on average in 2023, about $6,575.

Statistic 21

U.S. spent 11.7% of NHE on retail prescription drugs in 2021.

Statistic 22

Freestanding mental health/substance abuse facilities spending was $58.5 billion in 2022.

Statistic 23

Total NHE projected to grow at 5.4% annually through 2031, reaching 19.7% of GDP.

Statistic 24

Hospital spending per inpatient day averaged $3,025 in 2021.

Statistic 25

Average cost of childbirth with insurance was $2,854 in 2022.

Statistic 26

Emergency room visit average cost was $2,715 in 2022 for insured patients.

Statistic 27

U.S. healthcare administrative spending per capita is $1,055, highest globally.

Statistic 28

High-cost claimants (top 5%) accounted for 49% of total health spending in 2018.

Statistic 29

Chronic conditions drive 90% of $4.1 trillion in annual healthcare costs.

Statistic 30

Obesity-related medical costs totaled $173 billion in 2019.

Statistic 31

Cancer care costs projected to reach $246 billion by 2030.

Statistic 32

In 2023, 91% of Americans had health insurance coverage.

Statistic 33

Employer-sponsored insurance covered 54.4% of population under age 65 in 2023.

Statistic 34

Medicaid/CHIP covered 19.1% of non-elderly population in 2023.

Statistic 35

Medicare covered 18.9% of total population in 2023.

Statistic 36

Direct purchase coverage (ACA Marketplace) enrolled 21.3 million in 2024.

Statistic 37

Uninsured rate dropped to 7.7% in 2023 from 9.2% in 2022.

Statistic 38

26.4 million non-elderly Americans uninsured in 2023.

Statistic 39

TRICARE/VA/other federal coverage reached 7.5% of population in 2023.

Statistic 40

80% of uninsured cite cost as main reason for no coverage.

Statistic 41

ACA reduced uninsured rate by 43% from 2010-2023.

Statistic 42

Medicaid expansion states have uninsured rates 4.2 points lower.

Statistic 43

Average Marketplace premium before subsidies $477/month in 2024.

Statistic 44

88% of Marketplace enrollees receive premium tax credits.

Statistic 45

Silver plans average 70% actuarial value, most popular on exchanges.

Statistic 46

Employer plans cover 155 million workers and dependents in 2023.

Statistic 47

Medicare Advantage enrollment hit 32.8 million in 2024, 51% of beneficiaries.

Statistic 48

Medicaid covers 83 million low-income individuals as of 2023.

Statistic 49

CHIP enrollment stable at 9 million children in FY2023.

Statistic 50

Short-term limited duration plans grew post-ACA changes, covering ~3 million.

Statistic 51

Health sharing ministries enroll ~1 million, not insurance.

Statistic 52

45 states expanded Medicaid under ACA by 2024.

Statistic 53

Uninsured children rate at 5.8% in 2023, down from 16.4% pre-ACA.

Statistic 54

Racial disparities: Black uninsured rate 10.7%, Hispanic 19.1% in 2023.

Statistic 55

Rural uninsured rate 12.4% vs 10.2% urban in 2022.

Statistic 56

Gig workers uninsured at 20% rate, higher than traditional employees.

Statistic 57

Average life expectancy at birth 77.5 years in 2023.

Statistic 58

Infant mortality rate 5.4 per 1,000 live births in 2022.

Statistic 59

Maternal mortality rate 32.9 deaths per 100,000 births in 2021.

Statistic 60

Cancer death rate declined 33% from 1991-2021.

Statistic 61

Heart disease death rate 161.5 per 100,000 in 2022.

Statistic 62

Diabetes prevalence 11.6% of adults in 2021.

Statistic 63

Obesity rate 42.4% among adults 20+ in 2017-2020.

Statistic 64

Hospital-acquired infections affect 1 in 31 patients.

Statistic 65

30-day hospital readmission rate averages 15.3% for Medicare.

Statistic 66

Patient safety incidents: 251 million harm events yearly worldwide, U.S. share high.

Statistic 67

Preventive services use: 49% got mammogram in past 2 years.

Statistic 68

Opioid overdose deaths 81,806 in 2022.

Statistic 69

COVID-19 deaths totaled 1.2 million by 2024.

Statistic 70

Life expectancy gap: 20 years between top and bottom counties.

Statistic 71

Avoidable deaths under 75: 180 per 100,000 in U.S., higher than peers.

Statistic 72

250,000 deaths yearly from medical errors, 3rd leading cause.

Statistic 73

HCAHPS scores: 73% rate hospital 9-10.

Statistic 74

Post-surgery complication rate 10-20% for major procedures.

Statistic 75

Chronic disease patients 60% of adults, 90% of $4.1T spend.

Statistic 76

Mental illness prevalence 22.8% adults yearly.

Statistic 77

Suicide rate 14.1 per 100,000 in 2022.

Statistic 78

Vaccination coverage: 92.7% MMR for kindergarteners 2022-23.

Statistic 79

A1c control in diabetics <7% in 55% patients.

Statistic 80

Colorectal cancer screening 72.5% ages 50-75.

Statistic 81

U.S. prescription drug market $576 billion in 2022.

Statistic 82

Medicare Part D spending $116 billion on drugs in 2022.

Statistic 83

Biologics/specialty drugs 50% of spending despite 2% volume.

Statistic 84

Insulin average list price $300/vial, down from peaks.

Statistic 85

Generic drugs 90% of prescriptions, 21% spending.

Statistic 86

Biosimilars approved 40+, uptake low at 4%.

Statistic 87

Opioid prescriptions declined 44% 2011-2021.

Statistic 88

New molecular entities FDA approved 55 in 2023.

Statistic 89

Pharma R&D spend $83 billion private sector 2022.

Statistic 90

Drug price growth 4.9% in 2023.

Statistic 91

PBMs manage 95% of prescriptions.

Statistic 92

Medicare negotiating 10 drugs first year, savings $6B.

Statistic 93

Retail pharmacy scripts 4.3 billion in 2022.

Statistic 94

Mail-order pharmacy growth 20% yearly.

Statistic 95

Vaccine market $32 billion in 2023.

Statistic 96

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic prescriptions up 300%.

Statistic 97

Orphan drugs 20% new approvals, high prices.

Statistic 98

Patent cliffs: $250B generics opportunity 2023-2028.

Statistic 99

Direct-to-consumer ads $6.5B in 2019.

Statistic 100

340B program saved $46.5B in 2022.

Statistic 101

Drug shortages 323 active in 2024.

Statistic 102

Compounding pharmacies regulated post-2012 crisis.

Statistic 103

OTC market $48 billion sales 2022.

Statistic 104

mRNA vaccines revolutionized COVID response.

Statistic 105

Semaglutide sales $14B in 2023.

Statistic 106

There were 1.1 million active physicians in the U.S. in 2023.

Statistic 107

Registered nurses numbered 3.7 million in 2022, per BLS.

Statistic 108

U.S. has 2.6 hospital beds per 1,000 people, below OECD average.

Statistic 109

6,093 hospitals operated in U.S. in 2023.

Statistic 110

Nurse practitioners totaled 355,000 in 2022.

Statistic 111

Physician assistants reached 148,000 in 2022.

Statistic 112

Dentists numbered 202,000 in 2022.

Statistic 113

Pharmacists totaled 330,000 in 2022.

Statistic 114

Medical assistants grew to 764,000 in 2022.

Statistic 115

Home health aides: 4.1 million in 2022.

Statistic 116

Projected physician shortage: 37,800-124,000 by 2034.

Statistic 117

RN shortage projected at 193,100 by 2030.

Statistic 118

37% of physicians burned out in 2022.

Statistic 119

Average physician salary $363,000 in 2023.

Statistic 120

Nurse salary average $89,010 annually in 2023.

Statistic 121

Rural areas have 39.8 physicians per 100,000 vs 53.3 urban.

Statistic 122

92% of rural hospitals at risk of closure service issues.

Statistic 123

Telehealth visits surged 154% from 2019-2020.

Statistic 124

78% of physicians use EHRs fully.

Statistic 125

Community health centers serve 30 million patients annually.

Statistic 126

Federally Qualified Health Centers number 1,400 with 15,000 sites.

Statistic 127

Average hospital staff size 4,200 FTEs in 2022.

Statistic 128

48% of physicians employed by hospitals/health systems in 2023.

Statistic 129

International medical graduates 25% of U.S. physicians.

Statistic 130

Residency positions filled 92.4% by U.S. MD seniors in 2023.

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Picture this: The United States spends a staggering $4.5 trillion annually on healthcare—more than the entire GDP of most nations—yet this massive investment delivers outcomes and efficiency that lag embarrassingly behind its global peers.

Key Takeaways

In 2022, U.S. national health expenditures totaled $4.5 trillion, accounting for 17.3 percent of the nation's Gross Domestic Product.
National health spending grew 4.1% to $4.5 trillion in 2022, or $13,493 per person.
U.S. health spending per capita was $12,555 in 2021, more than twice the average of comparable OECD countries.
In 2023, 91% of Americans had health insurance coverage.
Employer-sponsored insurance covered 54.4% of population under age 65 in 2023.
Medicaid/CHIP covered 19.1% of non-elderly population in 2023.
There were 1.1 million active physicians in the U.S. in 2023.
Registered nurses numbered 3.7 million in 2022, per BLS.
U.S. has 2.6 hospital beds per 1,000 people, below OECD average.
Average life expectancy at birth 77.5 years in 2023.
Infant mortality rate 5.4 per 1,000 live births in 2022.
Maternal mortality rate 32.9 deaths per 100,000 births in 2021.
U.S. prescription drug market $576 billion in 2022.
Medicare Part D spending $116 billion on drugs in 2022.
Biologics/specialty drugs 50% of spending despite 2% volume.

The U.S. healthcare system is a massive $4.5 trillion industry with the highest costs globally.

Healthcare Spending

In 2022, U.S. national health expenditures totaled $4.5 trillion, accounting for 17.3 percent of the nation's Gross Domestic Product.
National health spending grew 4.1% to $4.5 trillion in 2022, or $13,493 per person.
U.S. health spending per capita was $12,555 in 2021, more than twice the average of comparable OECD countries.
Prescription drugs accounted for 9% of total national health expenditures in 2022, totaling $405.9 billion.
Hospital care expenditures reached $1.3 trillion in 2022, representing 29% of total health spending.
Medicare spending grew 8.1% to $944.3 billion in 2022, accounting for 21% of total NHE.
Medicaid spending increased by 9.7% to $805.9 billion in 2022, or 18% of total national health spending.
Private health insurance spending rose 6.2% to $1.3 trillion in 2022, covering 28% of NHE.
Out-of-pocket spending on healthcare was $433.7 billion in 2022, 9.7% of total NHE.
Administrative costs in the U.S. healthcare system were estimated at $496 billion in 2019, or 8% of total spending.
U.S. health spending growth averaged 4.5% annually from 2019-2022, outpacing GDP growth.
Physician and clinical services accounted for $807.7 billion in 2022, 18% of NHE.
Nursing care facilities spending totaled $205.2 billion in 2022, up 5.4% from prior year.
Home health care expenditures were $133.0 billion in 2022, growing 7.9%.
Dental services spending reached $175.1 billion in 2022, 3.9% of NHE.
Other professional services like ambulance and lab accounted for $161.5 billion in 2022.
Government health spending was 37% of total NHE in 2022, totaling $1.7 trillion.
Employer-sponsored insurance premiums averaged $23,968 for family coverage in 2023.
Average annual premium for single coverage was $8,435 in 2023, up 7% from 2022.
Workers contributed 29% of family premiums on average in 2023, about $6,575.
U.S. spent 11.7% of NHE on retail prescription drugs in 2021.
Freestanding mental health/substance abuse facilities spending was $58.5 billion in 2022.
Total NHE projected to grow at 5.4% annually through 2031, reaching 19.7% of GDP.
Hospital spending per inpatient day averaged $3,025 in 2021.
Average cost of childbirth with insurance was $2,854 in 2022.
Emergency room visit average cost was $2,715 in 2022 for insured patients.
U.S. healthcare administrative spending per capita is $1,055, highest globally.
High-cost claimants (top 5%) accounted for 49% of total health spending in 2018.
Chronic conditions drive 90% of $4.1 trillion in annual healthcare costs.
Obesity-related medical costs totaled $173 billion in 2019.
Cancer care costs projected to reach $246 billion by 2030.

Healthcare Spending Interpretation

We've achieved peak American efficiency by inventing a system where health spending rises twice as fast as GDP, costs double our peers, and yet still leaves us arguing over who gets stuck with the bill while paying over a thousand dollars per person just to manage the paperwork.

Insurance and Coverage

In 2023, 91% of Americans had health insurance coverage.
Employer-sponsored insurance covered 54.4% of population under age 65 in 2023.
Medicaid/CHIP covered 19.1% of non-elderly population in 2023.
Medicare covered 18.9% of total population in 2023.
Direct purchase coverage (ACA Marketplace) enrolled 21.3 million in 2024.
Uninsured rate dropped to 7.7% in 2023 from 9.2% in 2022.
26.4 million non-elderly Americans uninsured in 2023.
TRICARE/VA/other federal coverage reached 7.5% of population in 2023.
80% of uninsured cite cost as main reason for no coverage.
ACA reduced uninsured rate by 43% from 2010-2023.
Medicaid expansion states have uninsured rates 4.2 points lower.
Average Marketplace premium before subsidies $477/month in 2024.
88% of Marketplace enrollees receive premium tax credits.
Silver plans average 70% actuarial value, most popular on exchanges.
Employer plans cover 155 million workers and dependents in 2023.
Medicare Advantage enrollment hit 32.8 million in 2024, 51% of beneficiaries.
Medicaid covers 83 million low-income individuals as of 2023.
CHIP enrollment stable at 9 million children in FY2023.
Short-term limited duration plans grew post-ACA changes, covering ~3 million.
Health sharing ministries enroll ~1 million, not insurance.
45 states expanded Medicaid under ACA by 2024.
Uninsured children rate at 5.8% in 2023, down from 16.4% pre-ACA.
Racial disparities: Black uninsured rate 10.7%, Hispanic 19.1% in 2023.
Rural uninsured rate 12.4% vs 10.2% urban in 2022.
Gig workers uninsured at 20% rate, higher than traditional employees.

Insurance and Coverage Interpretation

While the American healthcare patchwork is finally covering more people, it remains a dizzyingly complex and inequitable quilt where your access to care—and your financial health—still depends heavily on your job, your state, and the color of your skin.

Patient Outcomes and Quality

Average life expectancy at birth 77.5 years in 2023.
Infant mortality rate 5.4 per 1,000 live births in 2022.
Maternal mortality rate 32.9 deaths per 100,000 births in 2021.
Cancer death rate declined 33% from 1991-2021.
Heart disease death rate 161.5 per 100,000 in 2022.
Diabetes prevalence 11.6% of adults in 2021.
Obesity rate 42.4% among adults 20+ in 2017-2020.
Hospital-acquired infections affect 1 in 31 patients.
30-day hospital readmission rate averages 15.3% for Medicare.
Patient safety incidents: 251 million harm events yearly worldwide, U.S. share high.
Preventive services use: 49% got mammogram in past 2 years.
Opioid overdose deaths 81,806 in 2022.
COVID-19 deaths totaled 1.2 million by 2024.
Life expectancy gap: 20 years between top and bottom counties.
Avoidable deaths under 75: 180 per 100,000 in U.S., higher than peers.
250,000 deaths yearly from medical errors, 3rd leading cause.
HCAHPS scores: 73% rate hospital 9-10.
Post-surgery complication rate 10-20% for major procedures.
Chronic disease patients 60% of adults, 90% of $4.1T spend.
Mental illness prevalence 22.8% adults yearly.
Suicide rate 14.1 per 100,000 in 2022.
Vaccination coverage: 92.7% MMR for kindergarteners 2022-23.
A1c control in diabetics <7% in 55% patients.
Colorectal cancer screening 72.5% ages 50-75.

Patient Outcomes and Quality Interpretation

For all its dazzling feats of pulling heart disease and cancer down from their peaks, the American healthcare system is a bewildering contraption that also reliably trips over its own shoelaces, leaving us to celebrate a stalled life expectancy amid a forest of preventable tragedies and price tags that would make a sultan blush.

Pharmaceuticals and Drugs

U.S. prescription drug market $576 billion in 2022.
Medicare Part D spending $116 billion on drugs in 2022.
Biologics/specialty drugs 50% of spending despite 2% volume.
Insulin average list price $300/vial, down from peaks.
Generic drugs 90% of prescriptions, 21% spending.
Biosimilars approved 40+, uptake low at 4%.
Opioid prescriptions declined 44% 2011-2021.
New molecular entities FDA approved 55 in 2023.
Pharma R&D spend $83 billion private sector 2022.
Drug price growth 4.9% in 2023.
PBMs manage 95% of prescriptions.
Medicare negotiating 10 drugs first year, savings $6B.
Retail pharmacy scripts 4.3 billion in 2022.
Mail-order pharmacy growth 20% yearly.
Vaccine market $32 billion in 2023.
GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic prescriptions up 300%.
Orphan drugs 20% new approvals, high prices.
Patent cliffs: $250B generics opportunity 2023-2028.
Direct-to-consumer ads $6.5B in 2019.
340B program saved $46.5B in 2022.
Drug shortages 323 active in 2024.
Compounding pharmacies regulated post-2012 crisis.
OTC market $48 billion sales 2022.
mRNA vaccines revolutionized COVID response.
Semaglutide sales $14B in 2023.

Pharmaceuticals and Drugs Interpretation

The American healthcare system is a bizarre bazaar where a tiny vial of life-saving medicine can cost as much as a mortgage payment, generic pills flood the market for pennies while a handful of specialty drugs bleed the budget dry, and we spend billions to invent new cures only to fight bitterly over who gets to set the price.

Providers and Workforce

There were 1.1 million active physicians in the U.S. in 2023.
Registered nurses numbered 3.7 million in 2022, per BLS.
U.S. has 2.6 hospital beds per 1,000 people, below OECD average.
6,093 hospitals operated in U.S. in 2023.
Nurse practitioners totaled 355,000 in 2022.
Physician assistants reached 148,000 in 2022.
Dentists numbered 202,000 in 2022.
Pharmacists totaled 330,000 in 2022.
Medical assistants grew to 764,000 in 2022.
Home health aides: 4.1 million in 2022.
Projected physician shortage: 37,800-124,000 by 2034.
RN shortage projected at 193,100 by 2030.
37% of physicians burned out in 2022.
Average physician salary $363,000 in 2023.
Nurse salary average $89,010 annually in 2023.
Rural areas have 39.8 physicians per 100,000 vs 53.3 urban.
92% of rural hospitals at risk of closure service issues.
Telehealth visits surged 154% from 2019-2020.
78% of physicians use EHRs fully.
Community health centers serve 30 million patients annually.
Federally Qualified Health Centers number 1,400 with 15,000 sites.
Average hospital staff size 4,200 FTEs in 2022.
48% of physicians employed by hospitals/health systems in 2023.
International medical graduates 25% of U.S. physicians.
Residency positions filled 92.4% by U.S. MD seniors in 2023.

Providers and Workforce Interpretation

The U.S. healthcare system is a vast, precariously balanced machine with an army of caregivers supporting it, yet it's currently running a dangerously high fever marked by alarming shortages, pervasive burnout, and a stark urban-rural divide that threatens to flatline critical services.

Sources & References

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