[Trends in supply and demand for physicians in Belgium]

Belgium is experiencing a strong medical workforce oversupply. At the end of 1998, there were 345 active physicians per 100,000 population and the ratio is even higher in the francophone area of the country (433 active physicians per 100,000 population). Health expenditures are steadily raising. A numerous clauses system was established in the medical schools in 1996 but its will not affect the annual number of graduates before 2004. During the next two decades, for various reasons, population aging will have only a slight effect on the growth of health care expenditures. However, most probably, more doctors will be needed. Given the current manpower oversupply, such forecasts are not easily accepted.