The five professions studied (doctor, nurse, paediatrician, physiotherapist and care assistant) all show net growth in the number of active practitioners between 2013 and 2023, even though these professions were classified as being in short supply. However, the data shows a common trend: the proportion of professionals born or resident in Luxembourg is declining, to the benefit of cross-border commuters, who are now in the majority in several categories.
Discover ten key figures on healthcare professionals in Luxembourg.
+51% of GPs in ten years. Between 2013 and 2023, the number of professionally active GPs rose from 560 to 829. A sustained increase that brings Luxembourg closer to its neighbouring countries without overtaking France or Belgium.
78% of authorised GPs are actually practising Out of 1,064 doctors authorised to practise, 829 are active, i.e. 78%. This means that some doctors, although authorised to practise, are no longer actually working in Luxembourg - because they are retired, on a break, or hold a non-clinical position. Practitioners - those providing direct care - account for 73% of the total.
+41% of active nurses since 2013 The number of professionally active nurses rose from 7,360 to 10,159 between 2013 and 2023, an increase of 41%. The density reaches 14.1 practising nurses per 1,000 inhabitants, a higher level than in neighbouring countries.
Less than a third of nurses reside in Luxembourg. In 2023, 32.9% of practising nurses will live in Luxembourg (compared with more in 2013); the majority will reside in France, followed by Belgium.
+89% of masseurs-kinésithérapeutes in ten years The number of professionally active physiotherapists has risen from 1,224 to 2,342 in ten years. Their density (3.31 per 1,000 inhabitants) far exceeds that observed in neighbouring countries.
A young, feminised profession The age pyramid shows a predominance of young practitioners and a majority of women (56.4%). The report describes the demographics of physiotherapists as “predominantly young, rather female”, a profile that contrasts with that of general practitioners.
+47% of paediatricians active in ten years Professionally active paediatricians increased from 107 to 159 between 2013 and 2023. The density reaches 0.22 practitioners per 1,000 inhabitants, higher than that observed in Belgium or Germany, according to OECD European comparisons.
Fewer and older Luxembourg paediatricians. The proportion of paediatricians born in Luxembourg fell by 29.2%, while that of Luxembourg residents fell by 9.1%. ObSanté also notes an increase in the proportion of practitioners aged 55 and over, and a marked feminisation (64.8%) by 2023.
+45% of care assistants active in ten years Professionally active healthcare assistants rose from 3,458 to 5,021 between 2013 and 2023, an increase of 45%. Their density rose from 5.8 to 6.9 practitioners per 1,000 inhabitants, a development deemed “positive, but lower than that observed in neighbouring countries”.
40% of care assistants are Luxembourgers Around 43% of care assistants were born in Luxembourg and 51.5% live in the country. The report notes that these shares, although in the majority, have been falling slightly since 2013, to the benefit of French and German cross-border commuters.
