ABSTRACT
This entry describes the arrangements for providing and financing healthcare in Singapore and highlights relevant policy lessons. It shows that Singapore has achieved good healthcare outcomes at modest cost. The main reason for this is, in addition to a youthful population, Singapore's combination of public provision of hospital care combined with private financing. The coexistence of tight government supervision and operational autonomy for public hospitals, which provide four-fifths of the total inpatient care, is especially significant, as it allows the realization of gains flowing from centralized planning and competitive markets. However, the long-term viability of its financing system that relies heavily on household contribution remains uncertain.
