1- Department of Economics, Kho.C., Islamic Azad University, Khomeinishahr, Iran
2- Department of Economics, Isf.C., Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran ,hafezi@iau.ac.ir
3- School of Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2- Department of Economics, Isf.C., Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran ,
3- School of Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract: (60 Views)
Introduction: The Iranian health system is constantly exposed to economic and demographic changes that affect its efficiency over time. Without longitudinal assessments, identifying periods of decline or improvement is challenging. This study aims to evaluate the technical efficiency and productivity trends of the Iranian health system over a 23-year period (2001–2024).
Methods: This longitudinal study utilized Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and the Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI) to assess the efficiency of the national health system. Data regarding inputs (health expenditures, number of beds, human resources) and outputs (life expectancy, mortality rates) were extracted from national databases covering the years 1380 to 1402 (Solar Hijri). The input-oriented DEA model assuming variable returns to scale (VRS) was employed.
Results: The average technical efficiency score during the study period was 0.93, indicating a relatively high but unstable performance. Inefficiency was primarily driven by a surplus in financial inputs rather than a shortage of health outputs. The Malmquist index analysis showed an average Total Factor Productivity Change (TFPCH) of 1.01. The most significant productivity growth occurred between 2017 and 2024 (1396–1402), attributed largely to technological progress and managerial reforms rather than mere resource accumulation.
Conclusion: Although the Iranian health system demonstrates acceptable average efficiency, it suffers from temporal instability due to resource allocation inefficiencies. The findings suggest that sustainable improvements in efficiency can be achieved through technological upgrades and better management of existing resources, rather than solely increasing the budget. Policy-makers should focus on digital infrastructure and optimized resource allocation to maintain performance.
Methods: This longitudinal study utilized Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and the Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI) to assess the efficiency of the national health system. Data regarding inputs (health expenditures, number of beds, human resources) and outputs (life expectancy, mortality rates) were extracted from national databases covering the years 1380 to 1402 (Solar Hijri). The input-oriented DEA model assuming variable returns to scale (VRS) was employed.
Results: The average technical efficiency score during the study period was 0.93, indicating a relatively high but unstable performance. Inefficiency was primarily driven by a surplus in financial inputs rather than a shortage of health outputs. The Malmquist index analysis showed an average Total Factor Productivity Change (TFPCH) of 1.01. The most significant productivity growth occurred between 2017 and 2024 (1396–1402), attributed largely to technological progress and managerial reforms rather than mere resource accumulation.
Conclusion: Although the Iranian health system demonstrates acceptable average efficiency, it suffers from temporal instability due to resource allocation inefficiencies. The findings suggest that sustainable improvements in efficiency can be achieved through technological upgrades and better management of existing resources, rather than solely increasing the budget. Policy-makers should focus on digital infrastructure and optimized resource allocation to maintain performance.
Keywords: Efficiency, Organizational, Health Care Rationing, Health Resources, Data Envelopment Analysis, Iran
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/11/24 | Revised: 2026/06/7 | Accepted: 2026/05/11
Received: 2025/11/24 | Revised: 2026/06/7 | Accepted: 2026/05/11
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