Do Changes in Demographic Factors Affect Public Health Expenditures? The Case of Turkiye

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to analyze the effect of demographic factors on public health expenditures in the Turkish economy for the period between 1980 and 2021. Time series methods are employed in this analysis. The stationarity of the variables is tested with the conventional unit root test, while Zivot-Andrews unit root test is employed to identify potential structural breaks in the data. The existence of long-run relationships between non-stationary variables is investigated using the ARDL bounds test method. According to the analysis results, a persistent and statistically significant association exists between public health expenditures and GDP, contingent upon variables such as the old dependent population ratio, urbanization, and population. While increases in national product decrease public health expenditures, increases in demographic variables cause an overall rise in total public health expenditures. Increasing life expectancy, changing demographic structure, urbanization, and advances in medical technology have significantly increased health expenditures. Policymakers must establish strategies to boost the representation of the private sector in the health market if public health spending is to be sustainable and efficient.