EventsSmart PlanPartnershipsNewsLog In
About
Membership & Benefits
Public Affairs
Foundation
Data Hub
Resources
Contact Us
Events
Partnerships
Log In

Economic Navigator: Addressing Demographic Shifts in Georgia’s Healthcare Industry

Published March 26, 2025
Array
As Georgia’s population over 65 grows, the state’s healthcare industry will face increased challenges including a shortage of healthcare professionals and higher needs in levels of patient care. This will disproportionately impact rural and smaller metropolitan communities which already face acute challenges as their patient base is smaller than that of larger metropolitan areas.
Nationally, those aged 65 and older account for 36% of all healthcare spending, despite making up only 18% of the population¹. A greater number of people in this population require more services and are more likely to seek care more frequently. This increases the chance of higher patient to healthcare provider ratios,¹ and is important to consider as industry leaders evaluate healthcare talent needs across the state.
Georgia’s population of individuals 65 years and older is expected to increase by 1.2 million individuals in the next 25 years.² Many of these individuals are healthcare workers who will retire. Looking to the near future alone, from 2022 to 2032, Georgia is expected to add 66,000 new positions and lose 173,000 workers to exits, including retirements. This leaves a gap of over 239,000 workers.³ This could disproportionately affect small metropolitan and rural communities which have larger retiree populations on average and may already struggle to attract or retain healthcare talent.²
  • Rural hospitals and healthcare providers face unique financial challenges due to lower patient volume, high uncompensated care rates, and workforce shortages. Rural healthcare stabilization grants, encouraging public-private partnerships, and expanding the role of telehealth care for preventative care, screenings, and specialist consultations can assist in addressing these issues.
  • Incentivizing the growth of Georgia’s healthcare workforce through loan forgiveness, tax incentives, and residency programs targeting healthcare professionals willing to practice in rural and underserved communities can prove effective in maintaining a workforce ready to answer Georgia’s healthcare needs.
  • Partnerships like Phoebe Putney’s Living & Learning Community provide innovative examples of efforts to address Georgia’s healthcare workforce shortage. By investing in medical innovation with education partners like Albany Technical College, the community has provided living and learning space for 200 nursing program enrollees each year. To learn more, read HERE.
    • Addressing these issues will become even more critical as our healthcare networks work to provide quality care in all parts of the state.
  • ¹Peterson – KFF, Health Systems Tracker Dashboard
  • ²Georgia Office of Planning and Budget, Residential Population Projections
  • ³Georgia Department of Community Health, Georgia Healthcare Workforce Commission: Final Report
    • The Georgia Chamber Foundation dedicates itself to producing in-depth economic analyses and actionable insights for Georgia’s businesses. Our mission is to develop policy, equip businesses, and foster economic development across the state, ensuring a prosperous future for all Georgians.

    To read our newly released 2025 Economic Competitiveness Redbook click HERE.

    To read our most recent Quarterly Report click HERE.
    The Georgia Chamber Foundation’s Annual Future of Energy & Sustainability Event will take place on May 1st at the Coca-Cola Headquarters in Atlanta. Register now HERE.

    Join us for our Future of Small Business event on June 18 at Fall Line Station in Macon, GA. Register now HERE.

    The 2025 Georgia state-level competition for the National Civics Bee will be held at the Carter Center on June 27. For more information, contact scamuso@gachamber.com.