Finland reduced hospital beds for psychiatric care by 51% in 8 years

On the occasion of the World Mental Health Day, which is celebrated on 10 October, the statistical office of the EU (Eurostat) published its statistics on beds for psychiatric care in the 28 Member States.

According to the latest comparable data, in 2017 there were on average 69 hospital beds for psychiatric care per 100,000 inhabitants in the EU, equivalent to 14% of all hospital beds. Compared with the figures in 2007, the average rate decreased by 9% from 76 hospital beds for psychiatric care per 100,000 people.

But the situation varies a lot across the EU Member States. For example the case of Finland is striking: in 2009 the country had 80.44 hospital beds per 100,000 inhabitants for psychiatric care. Eight years later the number has been reduced by 51.4%, down to 39 beds per 100,000 inhabitants.

In fact, Finland is now the fifth country in the EU with the lowest number of beds for psychiatric treatment per 100,000 inhabitants, according to Eurostat.

Highest rates in Belgium and Germany

Belgium with 136 hospital beds for psychiatric care per 100 000 inhabitants had the highest rate, followed by Germany (128) and Latvia (125).

At the other end of the scale was Italy (9 psychiatric care beds per 100 000 inhabitants), Cyprus (21) and Ireland (34). The next countries in the list are Spain (36), United Kingdom (38) and Finland (39).

According to Eurostat, only five EU countries (Germany, Poland, Romania, Slovenia and Slovakia) increased the number of hospital beds for psychiatric care in the last 8 years. Outside the EU, Albania also did.

Click on the image to enlarge and see the detailed figures.