Effects of health expenditures on economic growth: Empirical research on Turkey

Today, economic growth is on agenda both on national and international levels. On the other hand, health expenditures within the scope of health economy are among the factors affecting social order and welfare level. Health expenditures, one of the important indicators of economic development, vary according to the development level of each country. Countries with high levels of development spend health and education at the same level. Thus, economic development has become a factor that increases the health level of the society. Considering the trend of health expenditures in Turkey in what direction the impact on economic growth and examining the rate at which illustrates, shows the importance of this research. The aim of this study is to examine the short-term and long-term effects between economic growth and health expenditures in Turkey for the period of 1988-2017. According to the results obtained, real health expenditures have positive but small effect on the economic growth in the short and long run.