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From Public Dominance to Private Expansion: Changes in Hospital Infrastructure in Spain (1986–2018)

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  • Matus-Lopez, Mauricio
  • Vega-Rapún, Margarita

Abstract

In many countries, the growth of the private hospital sector coincides with a decline in beds per inhabitant. Spain is no exception, showing one of the lowest relative bed provisions in the EU. This study offers an exploratory analysis of the evolution of private hospital bed provision in Spain and its Autonomous Communities between 1986 and 2018. Using historical hospital catalogs from the Ministry of Health, we conducted graphical and cluster analyses to examine trends and classify regions by the share of private hospital beds. Results indicate a national trend toward fewer beds and a growing presence of the private, mainly for-profit, sector, with notable regional differences such as the Catalan model. This research provides comparative and long-term evidence on structural changes in Spain’s hospital system.

Suggested Citation

  • Matus-Lopez, Mauricio & Vega-Rapún, Margarita, 2026. "From Public Dominance to Private Expansion: Changes in Hospital Infrastructure in Spain (1986–2018)," SocArXiv 49tuw_v1, Center for Open Science.
    • Handle: RePEc:osf:socarx:49tuw_v1
    DOI: 10.31235/osf.io/49tuw_v1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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