South Koreans also ranked near the top in terms of hospital stays, coming in at an average of 18.1 days annually per person, outranked only by Japan (28.5 days). (image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Oct. 15 (Korea Bizwire) — Among inhabitants of OECD member countries, South Koreans were found to visit hospitals most frequently for outpatient medical treatment.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on Sunday that South Koreans visit the doctor for outpatient treatment at least 17 times annually per person, which is the highest among 35 OECD countries.
Japan ranked second (12.8 times), followed by Slovakia (11.5 times). The average number of visits among OECD states was 6.9 times.
South Koreans also visit the dentist an average of 3.2 times every year, ranking first alongside Japan, and far exceeding the OECD average of 1.3 times per year.
South Koreans also ranked near the top in terms of hospital stays, coming in at an average of 18.1 days annually per person, outranked only by Japan (28.5 days). The OECD average was 8.1 days.
South Korea’s ratio of Caesarean sections conducted during delivery was 394.9 times for every 1,000 births, ranking fourth among OECD countries.
Turkey had the highest number of C-sections (531.5 per 1,000), followed by Chile (465.8 per 1,000). The OECD average was 280.6 per 1,000.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
