Spending on health care across the country has slowed dramatically compared to the height of the pandemic.

That’s according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information.

CIHI estimates spending of more than $330 billion this year, or almost $9,000 for every Canadian.

That represents just a one per cent increase in spending, compared to an average of four per cent prior to the pandemic.

2020, of course, saw an unprecedented spike of 13 per cent, driven largely by COVID and governments’ response to it.

Those numbers came back down to earth last year with a seven per cent increase, with the leveling off to one per cent growth expected when this year’s numbers are crunched.

CIHI says the bottom line is the pandemic caused severe strain on budgets, putting extra pressure on the recovery of health systems nationwide.

The institute notes spending is still largely driven by an aging and increasing population, and the overall use of health care services.

They say hospitals, doctors and drugs continue to lead the way though, accounting for more than half of all health sending.

CIHI also expects hospital spending to ramp up in an effort to clear surgical and other backlogs in the system.