In 2024, general practitioners (GPs) in Germany cared for an average of 1,264 residents per doctor, according to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). However, there were significant variations between federal states. Brandenburg recorded the highest patient load, with 1,436 residents per GP, followed by Bremen (1,369) and Lower Saxony (1,356).
By contrast, Bavaria had the lowest ratio, with 1,114 residents per GP, while Hamburg and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern reported 1,118 and 1,149 residents per doctor, respectively. These differences reflect both population density and the distribution of medical professionals across Germany. Over the past decade, the national average has remained largely stable; in 2014, it was 1,266 residents per GP.
Average number of residents per family doctor in 2024
According to the German Medical Association, there were approximately 66,100 GPs in Germany in 2024, marking a 3.4% increase over ten years. GPs represent 15.1% of all practicing physicians, highlighting their central role in primary care. Yet the profession faces a significant ageing challenge: 41% of GPs are 60 years or older, with nearly 18.5% over 65, signaling potential shortages in the near future. Only 7.7% of GPs are under 40, suggesting a limited influx of younger doctors into the field.
The distribution of older GPs varies across states. Rhineland-Palatinate (48%), Saarland (46.2%), and Bremen (45.4%) have the highest proportion of GPs aged 60+, while Thuringia (31.5%), Saxony-Anhalt (33.1%), and Saxony (33.2%) have the lowest. This uneven demographic profile may affect healthcare access regionally, as areas with older GPs may experience higher retirements in the coming years, increasing pressure on remaining practitioners.
Two-thirds (67.5%) of GP practices are solo practices, making this the most common organizational form in Germany. The remaining 32.5% are group practices. This contrasts sharply with specialist practices, where the share of group practices ranges from 11.8% in neurology to 60.4% in radiology. GP practices are a vital component of the healthcare system, representing 36.7% of all medical practices in 2023. On average, each GP practice employed 7.8 staff members, up from 7.1 in 2015, reflecting growing administrative and support needs.
The predominance of solo practices has implications for patient care, particularly in rural areas. Smaller practices may face challenges in covering absences, implementing digital tools, or meeting increasing patient demands, emphasizing the need for strategic workforce and infrastructure planning.
The bulk of GP revenue comes from statutory health insurance billing, accounting for 83.5% of total income, the highest among all medical specialties. Pediatricians similarly rely on insurance payments (82.7%), whereas dermatology, surgery, and other specialized fields generate significantly less revenue from public insurance. The remaining 16.5% of GP income originates from private billing and other medical services. This revenue model reflects the heavy reliance on public health coverage in primary care and underscores the importance of stable reimbursement systems to maintain GP services.
Germany’s GP sector faces several challenges. The ageing workforce, regional disparities in patient loads, and the predominance of solo practices highlight the need for careful planning and policy intervention. Without targeted strategies, certain regions could face severe shortages, potentially compromising patient care and public health. Encouraging younger physicians to enter primary care, expanding group practices, and supporting technological and administrative solutions are key to sustaining access to high-quality care nationwide.
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