Swiss perspectives in 10 languages

Every sixth family doctor is over 65 years old

doctor
There are at least 200 general practitioners in the 70-74 age bracket. Keystone

Every sixth primary care physician in Switzerland is over 65 years old, reports German-language weekly SonntagsZeitung, citing official figures. In some cantons it is one in five.


The number of general practitioners working at the age of 65 and up has steadily grown between 2011 and 2018 (715 doctors in 2011 versus 1003 in 2018), according to the latest figures of the Swiss Medical Association (FMH) External linkand the Federal Statistical Office.

There are at least 200 general practitioners in the 70-74 age bracket and another 50 or so who are older than 75.

Switzerland could lose 4,000 general practitioners due to retirement over the next decade. That, according to an editorial published on the Tages Anzeiger newspaperExternal link, would leave almost every second practice empty.

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

Swiss judges want to disentangle the judiciary and politics

More

Swiss judges want to break ties with politics

This content was published on Swiss judges want to dissolve the traditional link between parties and court members, including mandatory contributions to a political party.

Read more: Swiss judges want to break ties with politics

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR