Share of adults who skipped needed medical care or did not fill a drug prescription (Rx) due to cost in past year among select high-income countries in 2020, by income level
Characteristic
Lower income
Higher income
United States
50%
27%
New Zealand
27%
11%
Switzerland
26%
21%
Australia
24%
19%
Canada
21%
7%
Netherlands
20%
9%
Sweden
19%
6%
Germany
15%
9%
France
14%
6%
Norway
14%
6%
United Kingdom
12%
7%
The chart is not accessible to screen readers. Please switch to the table view to access the data.
According to a 2020 survey, all eleven high-income countries showed income-related inequalities in affordability of health care, such that those with lower income were more likely to skip needed medical care or prescription drugs because of cost. The discrepancy was largest in the U.S. where half of lower-income adults reported foregoing medical care or drugs due to cost in the past year.
This statistic illustrates the share of adults who skipped needed medical care or did not fill a drug prescription (Rx) due to cost in the past year among 11 high-income countries in 2020 including the U.S., by income level.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ can support your business.
Commonwealth Fund. (December 9, 2020). Share of adults who skipped needed medical care or did not fill a drug prescription (Rx) due to cost in past year among select high-income countries in 2020, by income level [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved August 04, 2026, from /statistics/1263708/skipped-health-care-due-to-cost-in-select-high-income-countries-by-income/
Commonwealth Fund. "Share of adults who skipped needed medical care or did not fill a drug prescription (Rx) due to cost in past year among select high-income countries in 2020, by income level." Chart. December 9, 2020. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed August 04, 2026. /statistics/1263708/skipped-health-care-due-to-cost-in-select-high-income-countries-by-income/
Commonwealth Fund. (2020). Share of adults who skipped needed medical care or did not fill a drug prescription (Rx) due to cost in past year among select high-income countries in 2020, by income level. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: August 04, 2026. /statistics/1263708/skipped-health-care-due-to-cost-in-select-high-income-countries-by-income/
Commonwealth Fund. "Share of Adults Who Skipped Needed Medical Care or Did Not Fill a Drug Prescription (Rx) Due to Cost in past Year among Select High-income Countries in 2020, by Income Level." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 9 Dec 2020, /statistics/1263708/skipped-health-care-due-to-cost-in-select-high-income-countries-by-income/
Commonwealth Fund, Share of adults who skipped needed medical care or did not fill a drug prescription (Rx) due to cost in past year among select high-income countries in 2020, by income level ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1263708/skipped-health-care-due-to-cost-in-select-high-income-countries-by-income/ (last visited August 04, 2026)
Share of adults who skipped needed medical care or did not fill a drug prescription (Rx) due to cost in past year among select high-income countries in 2020, by income level [Graph], Commonwealth Fund, December 9, 2020. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1263708/skipped-health-care-due-to-cost-in-select-high-income-countries-by-income/
