Germany's doctor shortage deepens as retirements and part-time work surge

Germany's healthcare system faces growing challenges as a wave of retirements and shifting work patterns reshape the medical workforce. Over the next two decades, 25,000 full-time doctors will leave practice, with many regions already struggling to fill gaps. The rise in part-time roles and uneven distribution of physicians have added pressure on patient care capacity.

Since 2015, the number of full-time general practitioners has dropped by 15 to 20 percent. States like Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg saw the steepest declines, with part-time doctors rising from 25 percent to over 40 percent. By 2024, 40 percent of all physicians worked reduced hours—a 135 percent increase since 2015.

The total number of office-based doctors reached 191,875 by the end of 2025. Yet regional differences remain stark. Heidelberg leads with 434.7 physicians per 100,000 residents, while Coburg has just 87.6. Berlin, meanwhile, boasts the highest GP density at 72.1 per 100,000 and the largest share of female doctors at 60.2 percent.

Demographic shifts are also reshaping the workforce. Women now make up 47.4 percent of all physicians, with 53.2 percent in psychotherapy roles. The average doctor's age has dipped slightly to 54.4 years, but the number of those over 60 continues to climb. In western Germany, one in five family doctors is already at retirement age, with some regions reporting up to 43.5 percent over 65.

The combination of retirements, part-time trends and uneven distribution means Germany will need up to 50,000 additional part-time doctors to maintain current care levels. Without intervention, access to medical services could worsen, particularly in underserved areas. The data underscores the urgency of addressing workforce gaps in the coming years.