Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: In Romania, private healthcare services have long failed to constitute a viable alternative due to the limited purchasing power of the population. As a result, such services have primarily focused on outpatient care. However, in the past 4-5 years, private inpatient care has also begun to develop rapidly. The aim of our analysis is to examine private healthcare enterprises operating in Romania.
METHODS: The analysis draws on four data sources: the EU’s Country Health Profiles 2023, the Eurostat database, the Romanian private enterprise database, and the registry of physicians from the Romanian College of Physicians. Covering the period 2005-2023, the study examines the number of private healthcare enterprises, their annual turnover per 100,000 inhabitants (in euros), employment levels, and regional disparities.
RESULTS: In Romania, the number of private healthcare enterprises increased from 4,004 in 2005 to 30,689 in 2023, representing a 7.66-fold growth. Their aggregated turnover per 100,000 inhabitants rose from € 586,457.65 in 2005 to € 29,475,684.76 in 2023 — a 50.26-fold increase. The number of employees in this sector grew from 15,063 in 2005 to 101,063 in 2023, indicating a 6.71-fold rise. Significant regional disparities were identified in the number of private healthcare institutions per 100,000 inhabitants in 2023 among the Romanian regions: 200.21 in Transylvania, 143.12 in Moldova region, and 220.15 in Wallachia.
CONCLUSIONS: Between 2005 and 2023, Romania experienced a significant increase in the number of private healthcare enterprises, their net turnover, and the number of employees in the sector. Notably, economically less developed regions show considerable potential for further growth in this domain. As for private inpatient care, this type of service has only recently begun to expand, with its future prospects generally viewed as positive.