The United States is not the only country in which employers expect to spend significantly more money on health care over the next 5 years.
Health coverage costs are rising rapidly in many countries, including those that offer national health plans or other government-run health plans, according to researchers at Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Washington.
"Health care is fast becoming the most desired employee benefit worldwide, even in countries that support state-sponsored programs," says Ted Nussbaum, a Watson Wyatt health care consultant.
The health insurance company executives surveyed included executives based in Asia, Africa and Europe as well as in the Americas.
About 81% of the participants predicted medical costs will increase faster than the general rate of inflation in their countries this year, researchers report.