OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to analyse the changes in the number of practising physiotherapists working in OECD countries in Europe.

METHODS: Data analysed were derived from the OECD Health Data database. European countries were categorised according to type of health care system: Bismarckian-like solidarity based health insurance system or Beveridge-like national health system. Our data relate to practising physiotherapists working in areas related orthopaedics, geriatry, paediatrics or other areas. Years between 2000 and 2015 were analysed.

RESULTS: In 2000, the average number of physiotherapists was 0.7/1,000 population in countries with a Bismarckian-like, and 0.7/1,000 population in countries with a Beveridge-like system. The difference was not significant (p= 0.953). In 2015, the average number of physiotherapists was 1.1/1,000 population in countries with a Bismarckian-like and 0.8/1,000 population in countries with a Beveridge-like system. The difference was not significant (p= 0.382). Between 2000-2015, the average number of practising physiotherapists per 1,000 population increased from 0.7 to 1.1 (+48 %) in countries with a Bismarckian-likesystem while in countries with a Beveridge-like health care the increase was from 0.7 to 0.8 (+10 %). During the same period, the average number of practising physiotherapists per 1,000 population in all OECD countries increased from 0.8 to 0.9 (+22 %). In countries based on the Bismarckian system, the average number of practising physiotherapists rose from 19,562 to 32,800 (+68 %), whereas in countries based on the Beveridge system the increase was from 6,402 to 19,478 (+204 %) in the period between 2000 and 2015.

CONCLUSIONS: During the period between 2000 and 2015, countries employing the Bismarckian system showed a higher increase in the number of practising physiotherapists than countries using the Beveridge model. The difference was not significant.