Health

v. 10, n. 400, setembro, 2025

Abstract

This paper discusses the healthcare sector's production chain at global, national, and Northeastern regional levels. It begins by presenting healthcare expenditures as a share of GDP in selected countries, considering public, private, and total subsystems. Next, Brazil’s healthcare production chain is outlined according to IBGE’s methodology. Using data from the Annual Social Information Report (RAIS), the participation of Brazilian states in the healthcare production chain is highlighted based on healthcare workers’ compensation. Long-term prospects for the sector indicate growth. In May 2025, the growth rates of healthcare workforce hiring reached 17.0% in Bahia, 12.7% in the Northeast, 10.1% in Brazil overall, 8.9% in Ceará, and 8.2% in Pernambuco. Forecasts for public and private healthcare spending in Brazil are US$88.7 billion and US$110.1 billion in 2025, US$95.0 billion and US$117.9 billion in 2026, US$101.6 billion and US$124.8 billion in 2027, and US$106.9 billion and US$130.2 billion in 2028, respectively. Regarding pharmaceutical product trade, sales are expected to reach US$31.8 billion, US$33.7 billion, US$35.6 billion, and US$37.8 billion in the corresponding years mentioned above.