A new report predicts Canada’s health-care spending will reach $160.1 billion this year, up from $150.3 billion in 2006.

The Canadian Institute for Health Information pegs the increase at 6.6%. That’s faster growth than the economy.

The group’s annual spending report says health-care expenditures as a share of Canada’s gross domestic product have risen slowly but steadily over five years and are expected to reach 10.6% in 2007.

Graham Scott, chairman of the institute’s board of directors, says it’s the 11th straight year in which health-care spending is expected to outpace inflation and population growth.

Scott says that’s due, in part, to new public investments in health services brought about by agreements between Ottawa and the provinces.

Health-care spending per Canadian is forecast to reach $4,867, up from about $4,606 in 2006 and $4,373 in 2005.

The group says the ratio of public-sector to private-sector spending on health care will remain relatively stable for the 11th straight year.

Public-sector spending is forecast to reach $113 billion in 2007, or 70.6% of total health-care spending, while private-sector spending — including privately insured and out-of-pocket expenses — is projected to reach $47.1 billion this year, a 29.4% share.

Created by the federal, provincial and territorial governments, the institute collects and analyzes information on health and health care in Canada.