Austria Reports Growth in Total Doctor Numbers

Austria's physician workforce grew 2.4% to 53,353, though data shows a gap between new graduates and upcoming retirement needs.

Austria currently employs 53,353 doctors, marking a 2.4 percent increase since 2024. Growth was observed across sectors, with trainee doctors rising by 6.6 percent, specialists by 1.8 percent, and general practitioners by 1.5 percent. Demographic data for 2025 indicates that 21.2 percent of doctors are under 35, 46.1 percent are between 35 and 55, and 32.7 percent are over 55. Despite adding 1,300 new doctors annually, the country requires 1,836 new physicians each year to maintain current levels, especially as approximately 18,000 doctors approach retirement within the next decade. Austrian Medical Chamber President Johannes Steinhart and Director Lukas Stärker noted that basic training positions for graduates in hospitals remain unregulated by mandatory requirements.