[eru]

Depends on how you measure. Lots of health spending is labour costs, and our labour costs are higher. So percentage of GDP relatively closely tracks percentage of total working time.

Also perhaps our more enlightened policies are helping us achieve that higher per capita GDP?

[jeeeb]

> Also perhaps our more enlightened policies are helping us achieve that higher per capita GDP?

Singapore’s GDP per-capita is likely fairly inflated as it doesn’t correct for the effect of multinational tax planning by large corporations on the GDP statistics , unlike say Ireland.

See: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modified_gross_national_inco...

[eru]

Yes, though we are also doing pretty well in terms of eg wages, not just GDP.

[supermatt]

Well, im not measuring anything. Im just saying that the spend per capita is mostly equivalent for Singapore and UK.

No idea why you are equating enlightenment to per-capita GDP. I don’t quite understand that equation. Singapore may have a high per capita GDP, but that isn't resulting in a higher median individual incomes. Given the extremely high cost of living, the purchasing power of an average Singaporean is actually comparable to that of someone in the less affluent EU countries that have 1/4 of the GDP per capita and equivalent (or better!) healthcare. So while the GDP figure looks impressive, it doesn’t fully reflect the financial reality for most residents. Is that your "enlightened policies" at work?