Number of all hospitals in the U.S. 1975-2023
The number of hospitals in the United States has steadily declined over the past five decades, dropping from 7,156 in 1975 to 6,120 in 2022. This significant reduction reflects broader changes in the healthcare landscape, including consolidation, technological advancements, and shifts in patient care delivery models.
Hospital types and ownership
As of 2023, the U.S. healthcare system comprises 5,112 community hospitals, which are primarily non-profit institutions. For-profit hospitals make up about 24 percent of these facilities, and their numbers have increased over the past two decades. The healthcare landscape also includes 207 federal hospitals and 5,886 nonfederal hospitals. This diversity in ownership and management structures reflects the complex nature of the U.S. healthcare system and its various funding sources.
Hospital capacity and utilization
The decline in hospital numbers has been accompanied by a reduction in available hospital beds, decreasing from about 1.5 million in 1975 to 916,752 in 2023. Despite this reduction, hospital admissions have remained relatively stable, with over 34.4 million admissions recorded in 2023. Interestingly, hospital occupancy rates have generally decreased compared to 1975, although recent figures are showing signs of increase again.
