Nobody seriously disputes any longer that the German health system suffers from a host of ills – but views differ as to the therapy needed. The combination of a steep rise in health costs and stalling growth in earnings liable to social security contributions is behind the financial difficulties in the health sector. And the current problems are merely a foretaste of what is to come given the demographic changes bearing down on us. Given this trend in costs, mankind’s dream of a long life looks set to become a financial nightmare. For the health market these truths promise buoyant growth. New medical procedures and medicines – especially the achievements in the genetic and biotechnology field – can help to ensure a long and largely healthy life. The ageing of the population and the growing disintegration of traditional family structures in the course of socio-economic shifts are opening up new markets in the nursing care sector. More and more older and old people will spend an increasing amount on maintaining and restoring their health.
Germany’s health market – a growth driver?
The report looks at the main health market sectors in Germany and attempts to measure performance up to 2020. It is swiftly clear that alongside factors such as demography and medical-technical progress, the political decisions lined up to be taken soon will be key to the future structures. They are likely to ensure that the health market per se will not become a boom market. But, like everywhere else, there are innovative market segments with sparkling growth prospects.