Universal coverage achieved with a fragmented and complex system
With a growing economy and 40 million inhabitants, Argentina is one of the most important emerging market destinations in South America. Despite universal coverage, the healthcare system in the country is fragmented, presenting both opportunities and challenges for multinational pharma companies.
- Health expenditure in Argentina is among the highest in Latin America but is volatile, reflecting macroeconomic instability. Indeed, spending has not kept pace with economic expansion in recent years.
- Argentina has a fragmented healthcare system comprising social security, private health insurance, and public healthcare coverage.
- Argentina has the highest doctor to patient ratio in Latin America. While training standards are high, distribution is uneven, with a much lower ratio in the poor northern provinces of the country.
Table of Contents
4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
6 HEALTHCARE EXPENDITURE
6 National expenditure on health
8 HEALTHCARE SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE
8 Health workers
9 HEALTH INSURANCE SYSTEM
10 Obras Sociales
12 Private sector
12 Public sector
13 Healthcare system reforms
14 BIBLIOGRAPHY
List of Figures
6 Figure 1: Healthcare expenditure as a proportion of GDP in Argentina versus other key markets, 2011
9 Figure 2: Argentina – breakdown of health system by membership and expenditure, 2009
10 Figure 3: Argentina – health system structure
List of Tables
7 Table 1: Argentina – health expenditure indicators, 2008–10
8 Table 2: Argentina – key health system indicators, 2004 and 2010
11 Table 3: Argentina – leading provincial Obras Sociales

Figure 1: Healthcare expenditure as a proportion of GDP in Argentina versus other key markets, 2011