The information from the Federal Council of Medicine (CFM) is consistent with the 2020 Health Statistics Report of the World Health Organization (WHO), which revealed that the Brazilian State has a lower participation than it needs in financing the public network. The percentages allocated by the Federation, state governments and city councils to expenditures related to procedures and services in the region, especially within the scope of the Unified Health System (SUS), are insufficient to meet demand and, even when added together, are much lower than what is practiced in other countries with assistance models similar to the SUS.
Despite methodological differences, according to the latest WHO calculations, based on the 2017 budget, public health spending in the country was US$389 per person. In the United Kingdom, often cited by Brazilian managers as an example of a global system to follow, public investment in health per capita was about ten times the amount invested here: US$3,064.
In other countries with a universal health care system, the rule is the same. France ($3,376), Canada ($3,505), Spain ($1,770) and Argentina ($959) invested more than Brazil. Among countries with public models of universal health care provision, Brazil also has the lowest state participation in health accounts: only 41.9% of total spending comes from the public treasury.
Households spent the rest on private health services (including health plans) and direct purchase of medicines. In these same countries, public participation in total health spending ranged from 70.6% (Spain) to 79.4% (United Kingdom).
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Charlotte Whitmore is a contributor at Mediarunsearch.co.uk, covering a broad range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. She focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting and practical information that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging developments. Her work highlights stories that matter to everyday audiences, with an emphasis on accuracy, relevance, and accessible journalism that keeps readers connected to the issues shaping the UK and beyond.