The Impact of Aging Population on the Rise of the Health Care Cost in the Czech Republic

Population aging is believed to be a major factor behind the rise of health care cost worldwide. However, an increasing body of evidence in the literature on the subject of population aging and its influence on health care cost suggests that demographic changes play a relatively minor role in driving up the health care bill. Firstly, we review some available evidence. Secondly, we analyze the situation in the Czech Republic using financial and health care utilization data and demographic projections. Thirdly, we point out the main areas of health care responsible for the health care expenditures growth in the Czech Republic. Copyright International Atlantic Economic Society 2013