The new measure allowing doctors to work up to 72 years of age in the Italian national health service reflects a critical shortage of professionals in the sector, as highlighted by recent data from the national statistics institute, ISTAT.
The aging trend of medical personnel in Italy is significant, with 55 percent of doctors being at least 55 years old in 2021, compared to 44.5 percent in France, 44.1 percent in Germany, and 32.7 percent in Spain. The average age of medical specialists employed in the public and private healthcare system in 2022 was 53.7 years, and the percentage of specialists over 54 years of age exceeds 50 percent in some crucial specialties.
ISTAT’s analysis of the data underscores the critical nature of the healthcare system’s demographic distribution, particularly in light of the anticipated increase in demand for care due to the progressive aging of the population in the coming years.
The shortage of doctors and the aging workforce has prompted the government to allow medical professionals to remain in service until the age of 72, compared to the previous retirement age of 70. This measure is aimed at addressing the approximately 40,000 retirements expected in the next two years and mitigating the impact of the shortage of doctors in the national health service. However, those who choose to postpone retirement will not be able to maintain or have managerial positions.
While the government’s decision to extend the retirement age for doctors offers a short-term solution to the staffing shortages, it also sheds light on the urgent need for long-term planning and investment in the training and hiring of new doctors. The imbalance in the training and hiring of doctors, as well as the aging workforce, underscores the need for comprehensive solutions to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the Italian healthcare system.
The measures taken by the government to address the shortage of doctors in the national health service will be a topic of ongoing discussion as stakeholders work to develop and implement strategies that will ensure the availability of qualified medical professionals to meet the healthcare needs of the population.