Health · Healthcare & Policy · 2 hrs ago
Italy faces a growing shortage of general surgeons
Italy is at risk of having too few general surgeons, according to the Italian Society of Surgery, which raised the alarm at a meeting in Rome.
In 2026, 193 of 646 general surgery training places went unfilled, and more than half of hospital general surgeons in Italy are over 60.
The society estimates that about 2,800 of the country’s 6,500 hospital surgeons could leave by 2030, while fewer than 1,300 new specialists may enter the workforce.
It says the resulting gap could make access to operating rooms more difficult for about one in 10 general surgery procedures, even as demand for surgical care is expected to rise by 12%.
Young doctors are put off by demanding hours, limited pay, legal risks, workplace assaults and slow upgrades to medical technology.
The society is calling for stronger legal protections, better access to new technology and financial incentives.
Health Minister Orazio Schillaci has said the government is working on lasting legal protections and has allocated 120 million euros a year for less popular specialties.
Italy could face shortages of general surgeons in many areas within five years, according to the Italian Society of Surgery.
More than half of hospital-employed general surgeons in Italy are over 60, while many young doctors are avoiding the specialty.
In 2026, 193 of 646 general surgery training positions were unfilled, nearly one third of the total.
The society estimates that about 2,800 of the 6,500 hospital-employed surgeons could leave service by 2030, while fewer than 1,300 new specialists may enter.
The society cites demanding shifts, inadequate pay, legal risks, assaults and slow technology upgrades as factors making the specialty less attractive.
- Who
- Italy's general surgeons and the young doctors needed to replace them.
- What
- Italy faces a growing shortage of general surgeons, with many training positions unfilled and an ageing workforce.
- When
- The warning was reported on October 12, 2026. The society projects a shortfall by 2030.
- Where
- Italy; the warning was raised at the Italian Society of Surgery's national congress in Rome.
- Why
- The society cites demanding shifts, inadequate pay, legal risks, assaults and slow technology upgrades.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
37.8% of general surgery training positions were unfilled, according to the society.
193 of 646 advertised general surgery training positions remained unfilled, or about 30%.
The society estimates about 2,800 hospital-employed surgeons could leave service, while fewer than 1,300 new specialists may enter.
- Unfilled training positions in 2026
- 193 of 646
- Unfilled training positions in 2025
- 37.8%
- Hospital surgeons over 60
- More than half
- Projected departures by 2030
- About 2,800 of 6,500 hospital-employed surgeons
- Projected new specialists
- Fewer than 1,300
- Annual general surgery operations
- About 650,000
What people are saying
More legal protections, wider access to new technologies and greater financial incentives are needed immediately
a pillar of public healthcare
The signals are pointing in the same direction
Sources
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