Bern: One in four doctors in Switzerland is aged 60 or older, raising concerns over a looming wave of retirements and mounting pressure on the healthcare system, the Swiss Medical Association (FMH) said Wednesday.

According to Anadolu Agency, 2025 statistics published by the association revealed that 44,612 doctors were practicing in Switzerland last year, marking a 5% increase from the previous year. However, the FMH warned that this increase is insufficient to meet rising demand as the population ages and healthcare needs expand. The average physician age now stands at 50, with a quarter of the medical workforce being 60 or older.

The FMH report also pointed out that Switzerland is heavily reliant on foreign-trained doctors due to insufficient domestic training capacity. "Switzerland remains far from being able to ensure the renewal of its medical workforce on its own, particularly because it does not train enough doctors," it stated. Currently, foreign-trained physicians account for 43% of the workforce. Of the 1,132 doctors who received a Swiss specialist qualification in 2025, 52% held a foreign medical degree.

Additionally, the association highlighted growing strain in primary care, where medical density remains significantly lower than in other specialties. It called for an expansion of medical school placements, additional postgraduate training positions, and improved working conditions to retain doctors in the profession.