Aging Europe’s Doctors Are Also Growing Older

According to the "Health at a Glance: Europe 2024" report published by OECD and the European Commission, more than a third (35%) of doctors in the EU are aged 55 or older.

In almost half of the countries where one in five doctors is over 65, the situation is even more critical.

Italy and Bulgaria have the oldest doctors, with over 50% of doctors being 55 or older. The ratio stands at 54% in both countries.

Germany and France are also facing a significant aging risk, with 44% and 43% of doctors in these key EU countries being over 55, respectively.

Countries where the ratio is 40% or more include Latvia, Estonia, Hungary, Belgium, Czechia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, and Cyprus.

All Scandinavian countries are below the EU average, with only 24% of doctors aged 55 or older in Norway and Finland.

The UK has the lowest ratio at 14%, while Turkey is in a relatively better position with 15%.

As for doctors aged 65 and over, Italy is also raising alarms with a ratio of 27%.

Dr. Ole Johan Bakke, President of the Permanent Committee of European Doctors (CPME), stated, "The aging of the medical workforce, combined with ongoing shortages and increasing health service demands, poses a significant risk to the sustainability of health systems in Europe."

Why is the aging ratio of doctors rising?

In some countries, poor work-life balance, insufficient quotas, high administrative burdens, and inadequate salaries have reduced the appeal of the medical profession. As a result, young doctors are migrating to countries offering better working conditions (such as the US and Canada) or leaving the profession altogether.

Source: Euronews Turkish