**Cyprus Still Trails EU on Hospital Beds Despite Recent Increase**
In 2024, Cyprus reported a total of 3,211 hospital beds, marking the highest number in the past decade, according to the latest data from Eurostat. This figure represents an increase from 3,062 beds in 2023, resulting in a ratio of 329 hospital beds per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to 320 per 100,000 the previous year.
Despite this positive trend, Cyprus continues to fall short of the European Union average, which stands at 507 hospital beds per 100,000 inhabitants. The EU average itself has seen a slight decline, dropping from 511 beds per 100,000 in 2023 to 507 in 2024. This long-term decrease in hospital bed availability across Europe is attributed to advancements in medical technology, which have led to shorter hospital stays and a shift towards outpatient and day-care treatments.
The data highlights significant disparities in hospital bed availability among EU member states. Bulgaria leads with the highest ratio of hospital beds, boasting 870 beds per 100,000 inhabitants. Other countries with high ratios include Germany (759), Romania (731), Austria (655), and Czechia (639). Conversely, six EU nations report fewer than 300 hospital beds per 100,000 inhabitants: Sweden (187), the Netherlands (221), Denmark (226), Finland (248), Spain (283), and Ireland (293).
In addition to hospital beds, Eurostat also provided insights into long-term care facilities. The Netherlands topped the list for nursing home and residential facility beds, with an impressive 1,390 beds per 100,000 inhabitants. Sweden and Belgium followed, with ratios of 1,298 and 1,249 beds respectively. On the lower end, Greece (20), Bulgaria (26), and Portugal (94) recorded the fewest long-term care beds per 100,000 inhabitants.
The data underscores the ongoing challenges Cyprus faces in improving its healthcare infrastructure, particularly in comparison to other EU nations. As the country continues to expand its healthcare services, addressing the gap in hospital bed availability will be crucial for meeting the needs of its population.