How health care systems perform is a major issue. The Economics Department has examined health care systems in 21 OECD countries over the last decade, the reforms that may improve system performance and cost effectiveness. Work also focuses on the impact of ageing on health care spending.

The Department is currently working on a review of these surveys and more recent evidence to assess the impact of recent reforms on health care objectives. This is being undertaken in the context of the OECD Health Project. Finally, the Department is extending work on projections of future health care costs carried out by European Union countries to non EU countries