Magdeburg leads nationwide in female GPs - Germany's Medical Workforce Divide: Where Doctors Thrive and Shortages Persist

New data reveals stark regional differences in Germany's medical workforce. Saxony-Anhalt stands out for its high doctor density and growing share of female practitioners. Meanwhile, other areas like Westphalia-Lippe face shortages, and female representation varies widely across the country.

Saxony-Anhalt now has 217 doctors and psychotherapists per 100,000 residents, up from 210 in 2024 and 203 in 2023. The increase reflects a broader trend: since 2020, the state's doctor-to-resident ratio rose from 450 to 470, while psychotherapist numbers climbed from 60 to 75 per 100,000. Despite this growth, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Hamburg, and Berlin still report higher GP densities. Saxony-Anhalt ranks fourth nationally, with 71 GPs per 100,000 people.

Female doctors dominate in certain regions. Magdeburg leads with 77.5 percent of GPs being women, the highest rate in Germany. Nearby, Ilm-Kreis and Altenburger Land follow closely at 76.2 percent and 74.1 percent respectively. Overall, Saxony-Anhalt's female doctor share sits at 58.7 percent, well above the national average. Berlin tops the list at 60.2 percent, with Hamburg and Saxony tied at 58.9 percent. At the other end of the scale, the Saarland has the lowest proportion of women in medicine, at just 47.5 percent. Westphalia-Lippe, meanwhile, struggles with the country's lowest GP density, highlighting ongoing disparities in healthcare access.

The figures show a shifting medical landscape, with Saxony-Anhalt expanding its workforce while other regions lag behind. Female doctors now make up the majority in several areas, particularly in eastern Germany. These trends could influence future healthcare policies and resource allocation across the country.