The impact of aging population on public health expenditures

In this thesis, the impact of ageing population on public health expenditures is analysed comprehensively. The gradual increase in the proportion of elderly population with the change in the demographic structure across Europe creates significant effects in social and economic areas. Especially the health sector is directly affected by this change, the increasing elderly population increases the demand for health services and causes public health expenditures to increase rapidly. This situation poses a serious challenge for both the public budget and the sustainability of health services. In this thesis, the effects of the ageing process on health expenditures are analysed both theoretically and practically. The trends in Europe have been examined comparatively and the reflection of increasing health costs on public finance has been analysed. The need for health and care services brought about by the ageing population affects not only direct health expenditures but also social security systems and long-term care services. The study points out the importance of taking demographic changes into account in the management of public health expenditures and develops recommendations for sustainable health financing. In this context, strategies such as expanding preventive health services, adopting policies that promote healthy ageing and strengthening long- term care services come to the fore.