Among Canadian provinces, Ontario had the largest number of hospitals with around 400 establishments, as of 2022. Canada has a publicly funded health care system based on a system of taxation, fees and private funding. Current reports estimate that health care expenditures account for over 11 percent of Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP). Health care expenditures for hospitals totaled 80.5 billion Canadian dollars in 2022.
Hospital expenditures in Canada
In total, there were 1,280 hospitals in Canada as of 2022. Hospital expenditures per capita appear to be highest in less populated territories. In 2021, the greatest expenditures for hospitals in Canada were staff compensation and supplies. Research, education and other areas accounted for just over ten percent of expenditures during that time. The hospital with the highest research spending in Canada in 2020 was the University Health Network located in Ontario.
Patients in Canadian hospitals
In general, the average length of hospital stays in Canada appears to be on the decline. Common reasons for hospitalizations in Canada include child birth, COPD, pneumonia, heart failure and mental health disorders. Canadian hospitals perform a large number of surgeries every year. During fiscal year 2020-2021, C-sections, knee replacements and hip replacements were the most common surgeries in Canada.
