[Physician workforce and population aging in Switzerland]

The number of physicians in private practice per 100,000 populations will raise to 210 in the year 2005 and to 235-265 in the year 2020, from 187 in 1998. The feeling of manpower surplus is spreading in Switzerland and some commentators are voicy as concerns aggravated oversupply in the future. During the period 1990-2020, the Swiss population will increase +12% but the population aged 65 and over will increase +57%. Even if the elderly in the forthcoming decades will be in better health than their today's counterparts, most probably the demand for health services will increase. Social change, medical technology progress and growth in the population-doctor ratio itself will fuel the process.