In 2022, doctors aged 55 and older made up over one-third of the European Union’s medical workforce, with some countries seeing even higher percentages. A report from the OECD and European Commission highlighted these trends in the “Health at a Glance: Europe 2024” report. The aging of doctors, combined with shortages of medical staff and rising healthcare demands, is raising concerns about the future of healthcare in Europe. Experts warn that these trends could threaten the sustainability of healthcare systems across the continent.
The Aging Trend: Over One-Third of Doctors Are Over 55
The report revealed that 35 percent of all doctors in the European Union were 55 or older. This figure reflects an alarming trend that affects healthcare systems across Europe, with some countries experiencing even higher percentages of aging doctors. In fact, in some nations, the percentage of doctors aged 55 and over exceeds 40 percent.
Nearly one in five doctors in almost half of the EU member states are already over 65. Dr. Ole Johan Bakke, president of the Standing Committee of European Doctors, has warned that the aging workforce, combined with medical staff shortages and growing healthcare needs, presents a significant challenge for the future of healthcare in Europe.
Southern and Central Europe Face the Greatest Challenges
The report identified Southern and Central Europe as the regions most affected by the aging doctor workforce. Italy and Bulgaria reported the highest proportions of doctors over 55, with 54 percent in both countries. Romania had the lowest, with only 21 percent of doctors in this age group.
When including non-EU countries, the UK and Turkey showed the youngest medical workforces, with only 14 and 15 percent of doctors aged 55 or older. These differences in workforce age are largely attributed to national policies on medical training and career opportunities.
Germany and France: Worsening Doctor Shortages
Germany and France also face significant challenges, with 44 and 43 percent of their doctors aged 55 or older, respectively. Other countries with high percentages include Hungary, Belgium, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Czechia, Cyprus, Luxembourg, and Poland, each with more than 40 percent of their doctors in the 55+ age group.
On the other hand, Nordic countries such as Norway and Finland report much younger medical workforces. In both countries, only 24 percent of doctors are aged 55 or older, which highlights the impact of different healthcare policies and training systems.
Doctors Aged 65 and Over: A Growing Concern
The issue becomes even more critical when considering doctors aged 65 and over. In 11 EU countries, doctors in this age group make up more than 18 percent of the workforce. In Italy, this figure is particularly concerning, with 27 percent of doctors aged 65 or older.
In contrast, Malta reports a much younger workforce, with 46 percent of its doctors under the age of 35. Romania also has a significant percentage, with 34 percent of its doctors in this younger age group. Turkey stands out, with more than 40 percent of its doctors under 35.
Training Bottlenecks and Weak Retention Contribute to the Crisis
One key factor behind the aging doctor workforce is the lack of sufficient medical training opportunities. Gaetan Lafortune from the OECD explained that countries that limited medical school slots and residency programs in the past are now struggling to replace retiring doctors. Additionally, young doctors are leaving the profession due to poor pay, long working hours, and administrative burdens.
Some countries are encouraging doctors to work past retirement age, offering pension bonuses or flexible contracts. However, in other nations, strict retirement policies force doctors to retire at 65, reducing the number of experienced physicians in the workforce.
The Declining Appeal of the Medical Profession
Dr. Alessandra Spedicato, president of the European Federation of Salaried Doctors, pointed out that the medical profession is losing its appeal among young people. Many are increasingly prioritizing work-life balance over the demanding, stressful nature of medical careers. Furthermore, many young doctors are emigrating to countries with better working conditions, leaving behind nations that fail to adapt.
Dr. Bakke emphasized that medical training takes between 10 and 14 years, meaning that governments that reduced medical school spots a decade ago are now feeling the consequences of their decisions.
Urgent Need for Investment in Medical Training
Spedicato stressed that investments in medical training take years to yield results. She warned that countries must act now to avoid deeper shortages of healthcare professionals in the future. Governments need to recognize that the healthcare workforce crisis will only worsen if they do not address the root causes, such as the lack of investment in training and the poor working conditions that drive young doctors away.
Nurses Age More Slowly Than Doctors
While doctors are aging rapidly, nurses tend to be younger across Europe. The EU average shows that 24 percent of nurses are over 55, which is significantly lower than the percentage of older doctors. Latvia has the highest proportion of older nurses at 39 percent, while Romania has the lowest at 10 percent. In Italy, 24 percent of nurses are over 55, much lower than the 54 percent of doctors in the same age group.
A Dual Aging Crisis: The EU’s Healthcare and Population Challenges
The EU is facing a dual aging crisis: both its population and healthcare workforce are growing older. In 2022, the EU had 3.49 people over the age of 65 for every health or care worker. By 2050, this ratio is projected to rise to 3.94, creating even more strain on healthcare systems.
James Buchan from the Health Foundation called on governments to use long-term projections and plan smarter healthcare systems based on solid data. Only by taking informed, early action can governments prevent a potential collapse of their healthcare systems.