Evolution of the French Academy of Medicine population

This survey includes all the 843 members of the French Academy of Medicine elected over the last 150 years (1850-1999). Various variables are analysed , namely the age at election, the length of life and the duration of member ship. The main trends observed during the 20(th) century are the following. 1l A regular increase in the length of life (about 20 years), greater than in the overall French population. 2l A rising in the mean age at election until 1970 and a stabilisation afterwards. 3l A steady increase of rite mea n age of the population of members. Some projections are also developed for the next 25 years, based on various hypotheses : 1l a continuation of the current trends, taking only into account the foreseeable lengthening of lif e, this makes the difficulties observed during the last two decades becomin g more acute; 2l the introduction of new rules such as a decrease in the me an age at election, or the settling of an upper age limit for regular membe rship (giving access to an Emeritus status). These measures induce a decrea se of the mean age of the population, less or- more intense Same of the ass umptions may also have a negative effect, by reducing the turnover rate.