This is the first systematic survey of cardiology manpower in Europe. Hithe
rto, there has been no published information on the number of cardiologists
in the different European nations and whether it was growing or stable. Im
portant differences in the number of cardiologists and trainees are observe
d, with the highest figures in Greece, Italy and France (more than 80/10(6)
inhabitants) and the lowest in the Scandinavian nations, Austria, Germany
and the U.K. (35 or less/10(6) inhabitants). This is partly due to differen
t roles and the activities of the cardiologists in these countries as well
as their capacity to undertake various cardiological procedures. Some compa
risons with the U.S.A. and projections for the year 2000 are also made. (Eu
r Heart J 2000; 21: 1135-1140) (C) 2000 The European Society of Cardiology.