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For instance, in Spain, patients now wait an average of 123 days for an operation—an 18-year high—highlighting systemic inefficiencies and delays. Meanwhile, the chart on bribery prevalence reveals that in Austria, as many as 12% of healthcare appointments involve some form of informal payment. Countries like Germany and France also report notable figures, with around 6% of appointments being affected.
What is particularly surprising is that even wealthier European nations such as Luxembourg, a renowned financial hub, see instances of bribery worsening over time despite their affluence. This suggests that systemic issues are not solely tied to economic hardship but also to structural flaws within the healthcare delivery model itself.