Objectives: Our aim was to examine the numbers of practising nurses per 100 hospital beds in European OECD countries.

Methods: Indicators analysed regarding numbers of practising nurses and total hospital beds were derived from the ’OECD Health Statistics 2021’ online database, for the period 2000-2018. 24 European OECD countries were grouped and compared according to type of healthcare system (Bismarckian-type, solidarity-based health insurance system versus Beveridge-type national health system). The comparison was focused especially on years 2000, 2010 and 2018. Data were calculated for 100 hospital beds.

Results: In 2000, the average number of practising nurses was 102.8 per 100 hospital beds in countries having a Bismarckian-like, and 163.7 per 100 hospital beds in countries with a Beveridge-like system. The difference was not significant (p=0.128). In 2018, the average number of practising nurses was 190.4 per 100 hospital beds in countries with a Bismarckian-like and 311.5 per 100 hospital beds in countries with a Beveridge-like system. The difference was not significant (p=0.118). Between 2000-2018, the average number of practising nurses per 100 hospital beds increased from 102.8 to 190.4 (+85%) in countries having a Bismarckian-like system while in countries with a Beveridge-like healthcare the increase was from 163.7 to 311.5 (+90 %). During the same period, the average number of practising nurses per 100 hospital beds in all OECD countries increased from 128.9 to 240.3 (+86 %). As for the countries, the highest number of practising nurses was found by Sweden also in 2000 (268.9) and 2018 (508.8). The lowest number was reported by Greece both in 2000 (57.7) and 2018 (80.2).

Conclusions: Between 2000 and 2018, Beveridge-like systems showed a higher increase in the number of practising nurses compared to countries using the Bismarckian model. The difference was significant only in the cross-sectional year 2010 (p=0.048).