Canada Ranks Second Last in Global Health-Care Efficiency, Sparking Calls for Reform

Despite being one of the world’s top spenders on health care relative to GDP, Canada has ranked second to last among 20 developed nations in a new global health-care efficiency index. The Healthcare Time Saved Index, published by the Consumer Choice Center, exposes deep inefficiencies in Canada’s health-care system, highlighting long wait times, limited access to family doctors, and chronic delays for essential treatments.

With an overall score of just 20 out of a possible 75, Canada narrowly outperformed only Ireland. Meanwhile, countries like Denmark, the Netherlands, and Switzerland topped the rankings with scores of 60 and 55, thanks to their hybrid systems combining public and private care while ensuring access for low-income populations.

The report reveals that Canadians face some of the longest wait times in the developed world. The average in-clinic wait time is 68 minutes—ranking worst among all countries studied. For elective surgeries, the median wait stretches to 210 days, and 68% of Canadians report waiting more than two weeks to see a family doctor. In comparison, 88% of Swiss patients are seen the same day they request care, and only 25% wait over a month for specialist appointments.

Ironically, while Canada struggles with delays, it boasts relatively good access to pharmacy services and emergency contraception, with 60% of Canadians living within a kilometre of a pharmacy. Still, these positives were not enough to offset the system’s time-wasting inefficiencies and lack of responsiveness.

The study’s authors argue that the core issue is not funding—Canada ranks fourth in health spending as a share of GDP—but structure. Top-performing countries offer Canadians a potential model: decentralized, competitive systems with public oversight and private delivery options. In fact, Quebec has already implemented such changes by partnering with private clinics to reduce surgical waitlists, a move inspired by the landmark 2005 Chaoulli v. Quebec Supreme Court decision.

- Advertisement -

Support for change is widespread. According to recent surveys, 73% of Canadians want major health-care reform, and nearly 70% are open to allowing private care alongside public services. These numbers suggest that Canadians are ready for a system that balances equity with efficiency, as seen in countries like Switzerland and the Netherlands.

With Canadians waiting longer and growing increasingly frustrated, the message is clear: the current health-care system is failing to deliver timely care. The Time Saved Index should serve as a loud wake-up call to policymakers. What remains to be seen is whether political leaders will find the will to act.