Israel Faces Critical Shortage of Hospital Beds, Lagging Far Behind OECD Average

Israel's hospital bed capacity per capita has been steadily declining, falling to 1.76 general hospital beds per 1,000 people in 2023, according to a report by the Taub Center for Social Policy Studies. This figure is less than half the OECD average of 3.18 beds per 1,000 people and represents a significant drop from 2.27 beds per 1,000 in 1995. The shortage leads to overcrowded wards, increased risk of infectious diseases, and strain on medical staff. It also perpetuates itself by affecting staffing quotas, which are tied to the number of approved beds.

A 2019 State Comptroller report found the Ministry of Health lacked a coherent plan to address the bed shortage, leading to patients being treated in corridors. The report also revealed chaotic management of existing beds, with some departments operating significantly over capacity while others were underutilized. Furthermore, approved beds often remain closed due to the need for additional staff quotas, which require approval from the Ministry of Finance, delaying the opening of much-needed facilities.

The disparity in bed availability is also pronounced between Israel's center and periphery. Tel Aviv and Haifa have the highest ratio at 2.3 beds per 1,000, while the northern region lags behind with only 1.4, a nearly 39% difference. Even the leading districts fall short of the OECD average.

The consequences of overcrowding include clinical risks, such as a rise in hospital-acquired infections, as noted by the National Center for Infection Prevention. Additionally, patients are often discharged prematurely due to pressure on wards, contributing to a higher rate of readmissions within 30 days, a phenomenon known as the 'revolving door'.

Elderly and particularly frail patients are disproportionately affected. Israel has only 16.9 geriatric beds per 1,000 elderly individuals, compared to the OECD average of 41. This number has decreased by an additional 16% between 2020 and 2023, with no comprehensive government plan implemented to address the challenges of an aging population.

While the Ministry of Health announced a plan in late 2023 to add over 2,000 beds by 2028, its implementation has been partial, and the per capita ratio has not improved significantly. As a workaround, the system has seen a dramatic increase in home hospitalizations, rising from 136 events in 2018 to approximately 38,000 in 2024. While this offers a partial solution by reducing ward load, it is not suitable for all patients and does not resolve the fundamental structural shortage of hospital beds.