Health at a Glance 2021
OECD Indicators
Health at a Glance provides a comprehensive set of indicators on population health and health system performance across OECD members and key emerging economies. These cover health status, risk factors for health, access to and quality of health care, and health resources. Analysis draws from the latest comparable official national statistics and other sources.
Alongside indicator-by-indicator analysis, an overview chapter summarises the comparative performance of countries and major trends. This edition also has a special focus on the health impact of COVID-19 in OECD countries, including deaths and illness caused by the virus, adverse effects on access and quality of care, and the growing burden of mental ill-health.
Also available in: French
Self-rated health and disability at age 65 and over
Even as life expectancy at age 65 has increased across OECD countries, many adults spend a high proportion of their older lives in poor or fair health (see indicator “Life expectancy and healthy life expectancy at age 65”). In 2019, more than half the population aged 65 and over in 36 OECD countries reported being in poor or fair health (). Older people in eastern European OECD countries reported some of the highest rates of poor or fair health: more than four‑fifths of people aged 65 and over reported their health to be fair, poor or very poor in Lithuania, Latvia, Portugal, Estonia and Hungary. Women are slightly more likely to report being in poor or fair health than men: 57% of women reported their health to be fair, poor or very poor on average across OECD countries in 2019, compared with 53% of men. Less than 40% of the total population aged 65 and over reported being in poor or fair health in Ireland, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands. The lowest rate of poor or fair health for women was reported in Ireland (28.8%), while the lowest rate for men was reported in Switzerland (30.1%).
Also available in: French