France hospital bed numbers decline in 2025 despite public sector increase

According to a report by the Drees, the total number of full hospitalization beds in French healthcare facilities decreased by 2,000 in 2025, a 0.6% decline that brings the total to 365,100 beds. This trend follows a continuous decline lasting over 20 years.

The reduction is attributed entirely to the private sector, which lost 1,700 beds in for-profit establishments and 500 beds in non-profit facilities. In contrast, public hospitals saw an increase of 200 beds, marking the first growth in the public sector since 2013.

The Drees notes that the overall decline, which has totaled 47,700 beds since 2013, reflects a government-led shift toward ambulatory care. While full hospitalization capacity is shrinking, there has been a 3.5% increase in partial hospitalization places and a 5.6% growth in home hospitalization (HAD) services.