This year’s OECD “Health at a Glance 2025” report functions as it does every year as a big “thermometer” measuring the health of populations and systems. With 5 central axes – health status, risk factors, access, quality, systems capacity – it is not limited to numbers and indicators. It captures trends, highlights “spasms,” and illuminates structural weaknesses.

Despite the recovery from the pandemic, which gradually seems to be restoring life expectancy in most countries, the landscape remains challenging. An ageing population, rising chronic diseases, the need for more resilient infrastructure, and more efficient use of resources make up a picture of continued pressure. And if the results tell us anything, it is that simply increasing funding is not enough: the quality, organisation, and targeting of policies are more important than ever.