Women are becoming the majority of doctors, an unprecedented shift in France.

For the first time, the French medical profession has more women than men in active practice, according to the latest data from the French Medical Association. This development marks a profound transformation of the healthcare landscape, driven in particular by new generations of practitioners.

By 2026, women will represent slightly more than half of practicing physicians, whereas they were a clear minority just fifteen years ago. This progress is explained by the continued feminization of university cohorts and by a gradual renewal of the workforce.

A transformation of the profession and its modes of practice

This transformation is accompanied by a change in professional practices, with a rise in salaried positions at the expense of independent practice. Young doctors, more of whom are women, often prefer working conditions they consider more balanced.

While the overall number of practitioners is rising again, significant territorial disparities remain. Some areas are more attractive, while others face both difficulties in recruiting new practitioners and a lack of appeal, continuing to raise the question of access to care across the entire country.