Roland Berger study Future of Health 2025: Seven key decisions for tomorrow's healthcare
21.10.2025 14:21
The seventh edition of Roland Berger's Future of Health study reveals that people worldwide expect a strong, publicly funded healthcare system that is accessible to all, uses resources efficiently, and strengthens prevention. The study surveyed over 5,200 people in 25 countries, across all income and age groups.
While 72 percent see individual responsibility for their own health as lying with them, they simultaneously desire support from society: Over 70 percent favor strong public funding of the healthcare system. Regarding the management of rising costs, 58 percent advocate for greater efficiency, while only 24 percent support contribution increases; access restrictions or benefit cuts are rejected by the majority. Three-quarters support the promotion of preventative care and preventative measures.
Based on the survey and the analysis of particularly successful national health systems, the study identifies seven key criteria that determine the performance and efficiency of health systems worldwide: equity, strong coordination of care, targeted digitalization, investment in public health and prevention, efficient use of resources, clear governance, and innovation.
„Our survey reveals a remarkable global consensus on the fundamental principles that people expect from healthcare systems,“ says Thilo Kaltenbach, Partner at Roland Berger. „When we compare different countries in this context, it becomes clear that healthcare systems that take these key factors seriously and align themselves with them are particularly successful, resilient, and therefore future-proof.“
Conversely, countries that have weaknesses in certain criteria are not among the top performers: For example, while the German healthcare system is fair, it suffers from a lack of digitalization. Furthermore, while general practitioners and specialists are widely available, their coordination is insufficient, leading to unnecessary doctor visits that overload the system's capacity. Efficiency also suffers from the division of responsibilities among various actors such as the federal government, the states, and private companies.
Overburdened healthcare systems make reforms unavoidable.
Many healthcare systems worldwide are increasingly overburdened because their fundamental assumptions no longer reflect current realities: Demographic trends are increasing the burden of disease, technological advances are driving up expenditures, and regulations must foster innovation while simultaneously ensuring safety and quality. Therefore, numerous countries are pushing ahead with reforms, partly to make their healthcare systems more agile so they can keep pace with the changing needs and preferences of the population.
„A faster adaptation of new treatment options, processes and the use of AI in the medical field would directly translate into a general improvement in the entire healthcare system,“ said Morris Hosseini, Partner at Roland Berger.
Based on their study results, the Roland Berger experts have developed recommendations for healthcare reforms and the development of sustainable healthcare systems, which stakeholders can use as a guide. For example, political decision-makers and regulatory authorities should adapt the seven success factors of the world's best healthcare systems to their own societal preferences and, based on this, develop measures that specifically optimize coordination, promote digitalization, or increase the efficiency of resource use.
Commercial players in the healthcare sector – from insurance companies and service providers to pharmaceutical and medical technology companies – should work together and position themselves as reliable partners for the population on their path to health. This includes, among other things, shifting the focus from treatment to prevention, strengthening customer orientation, and offering integrated end-to-end solutions.
Cooperation between politics and industry as the basis for resilient health systems
„Sustainable healthcare systems don’t emerge from isolated reforms, but from joint commitment and coordinated action,“ says Karsten Neumann, Partner at Roland Berger. „Political decision-makers and industry must jointly define goals that align societal values with the proven strengths of successful healthcare systems. This will enable them to develop systems that are not only more resilient and efficient, but also enjoy the trust of the people they serve.“
You can download the full study here: Future of Health 7 (2025)
About Roland Berger
Roland Berger is a leading global strategy consultancy with a broad range of services across all relevant industries and business functions. Founded in 1967 and headquartered in Munich, Roland Berger is particularly known for its expertise in transformation, cross-industry innovation, and performance improvement, and is committed to embedding sustainability in all its projects. Roland Berger generated revenue of approximately €1 billion in 2024.