France has reported another rise in the number of practising doctors, but major regional healthcare shortages continue to affect many parts of the country, according to a new national report.
The latest Atlas de la démographie médicale en France, published by the Conseil national de l’Ordre des médecins, showed that 245,847 doctors were actively practising in France as of January 1, 2026.
That figure represents a 1.9 percent increase compared with the previous year, when 241,255 doctors were registered. The report also showed that the number of practising doctors has increased by around 14 percent since 2010.
The latest data includes both general practitioners and medical specialists working across the country.
Among the 205,214 physicians listed in regular practice, about 82,768 were general practitioners. Medical specialists accounted for 96,433 doctors, while surgical specialists represented just over 26,000 practitioners.
The increase is being viewed as an important shift in France’s healthcare system, which has often faced criticism for staffing shortages and limited access to care in some areas.
Health officials said the rise in doctor numbers has been supported by expanded medical training programmes and the growing contribution of physicians trained abroad.
Projections included in the report suggest the number of doctors could continue increasing by around 2 percent annually through 2040.
Despite the overall growth, the report warned that healthcare access remains highly unequal across different parts of France.
Large urban centres, coastal regions, and border departments continue to attract more doctors, while many rural and less populated areas still struggle to maintain sufficient healthcare services.
These underserved regions are often described in France as “medical deserts” because residents face long travel distances and waiting times for appointments.
Jean-Marcel Mourgues said the increase in doctor numbers has not yet solved the deeper problem of territorial inequality in healthcare access.
He explained that France’s ageing population will place even greater pressure on the healthcare system in the coming years.
According to the report, the country may need roughly 40 percent more doctors by 2040 to meet future healthcare demands.
Several regions recorded strong growth in doctor numbers over the past year.
The largest increases were reported in Hautes-Alpes, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, and Morbihan. Meanwhile, departments including Gers, Yvelines, Creuse, and Cher experienced some of the sharpest declines in medical staffing.
The report also highlighted broader changes within the medical profession itself.
France’s doctor workforce is becoming younger on average, and the number of women entering the profession continues to rise. Women now represent roughly half of all practising doctors in the country.
At the same time, traditional full-time private medical practice is becoming less common.
More doctors are choosing salaried employment or mixed work models that combine hospital work, clinics, and part-time private practice.
Healthcare experts say these changes reflect evolving work-life expectations among younger doctors, as well as growing pressures linked to administrative work and long working hours.
Another important trend identified in the report is the increasing number of doctors continuing to work beyond retirement age.
Many older physicians are remaining active on a part-time or temporary basis to help address shortages in local healthcare services.
Medical deserts have become one of the biggest healthcare challenges facing France in recent years. Residents in underserved areas often struggle to find family doctors, specialist care, or emergency medical services close to home.
The issue has also become politically sensitive as local communities continue calling for stronger government action to improve healthcare access outside major cities.
French authorities have introduced several programmes aimed at encouraging doctors to work in rural and underserved regions. These efforts include financial incentives, support for medical training placements, and investment in local healthcare infrastructure.
However, healthcare professionals say solving the problem will require long-term planning and broader reforms to how medical services are distributed across the country.
The latest report suggests that while France is increasing its overall number of doctors, major challenges remain in ensuring equal access to healthcare nationwide.
