The OECD's Health at a Glance 2025 report highlights that Colombia covers 99% of its population with basic medical services, but points to lags in spending, quality, and human resources. Only 46% of Colombians are satisfied with quality medical care availability, below the 64% OECD average. The government announced a $3.02 trillion investment to strengthen the public hospital network.
The latest OECD Health at a Glance 2025 report states that Colombia has achieved 99% population coverage with a basic set of medical services. However, the country remains below the organization's average in key indicators like quality and satisfaction. According to the document, only 46% of Colombians reported satisfaction with the availability of quality medical care, compared to the 64% OECD average. For childhood vaccination, 89% of eligible children received the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) dose, also below the international average.
Health spending poses a significant challenge: Colombia allocates US$1,877 per inhabitant, far below the OECD average of US$5,967 in purchasing power parity, equating to 8.1% of GDP versus 9.3%. Additionally, comparable data are lacking on financial coverage, unmet needs, early cancer detection, and avoidable hospital admissions. In human resources, there are 2.5 doctors per 1,000 inhabitants (vs. 3.9 OECD), 1.6 nurses (vs. 9.2), and 18 pharmacists per 100,000 (vs. 86). Infrastructure includes 1.9 hospital beds per 1,000 inhabitants (vs. 4.2), and only six CT, MRI, and PET scanners per million (vs. 51).
On health status, life expectancy is 77.5 years, 3.6 less than the OECD average of 81.1. Preventable mortality reaches 304 per 100,000 (vs. 145), and treatable mortality 115 (vs. 77), though suicide rates are lower (6 vs. 11). Colombia shows strengths in habits: 9.8% of adults smoke daily (vs. 14.8%) and consume 4.2 liters of alcohol per capita (vs. 8.5), but 35% engage in insufficient physical activity (vs. 30%).
In response, the National Planning Department (DNP) approved Conpes 4169, enabling $3.02 trillion for intervening in 102 hospital sites and equipping 13 with biomedical technology. DNP Director Natalia Molina stated: "If the country has an insufficient public health system, what we must do is strengthen its infrastructure, equip and modernize the network." This addresses inequities, such as 290 municipalities without delivery services and 175 without emergencies. The OECD report warns that Colombia must invest more in human talent and infrastructure to close gaps.