France spent more of its gross domestic product (GDP) on healthcare in 2010 than the average of other key developed markets. This reflects the coverage by France’s free universal healthcare coverage system (Couverture maladie universelle), although patients are increasingly incurring out-of-pocket costs. Indeed, the healthcare system in France is characterized by a complex mixture of public and private financing, which together provide high quality healthcare without the waiting lists that are typical of many other countries.
Table of Contents
4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4 Key findings
5 HEALTHCARE EXPENDITURE
5 France has a higher than OECD average healthcare spend per capita, and a higher
pharmaceutical spend
8 HEALTH INSURANCE AND HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
8 France’s social security system is provided by three main health insurance schemes
9 Primary care versus hospital care in France
12 BIBLIOGRAPHY
List of Figures
6 Figure 1: France – healthcare expenditure indicators, 2010
8 Figure 2: The main health insurance schemes in France
List of Tables
5 Table 1: France – healthcare expenditure indicators, 2008–10

Table 1: France – healthcare expenditure indicators, 2008–10