Perceptions of Feminization in the German Veterinary Profession

The veterinary profession in Germany is undergoing substantial societal changes, including an ongoing feminization and a pronounced generational shift. This study aimed to examine veterinarians’ perceptions of the causes, relevance, and consequences of feminization within the profession. An online questionnaire was completed by 266 veterinarians in Germany between May and September 2021. The results indicate that feminization is viewed critically by a considerable proportion of respondents (48.8% of male and 41.5% of female participants). Only 7.8% of female respondents, and no male respondents, reported a positive outlook on remaining in the profession for their entire working life. According to the survey, the most important areas requiring improvement to strengthen the profession’s future include work-life balance (87.7%), working conditions and work organization (86.0%), income (80.4%), and the social prestige of the veterinary profession (59.6%). Overall, the findings highlight a broad consensus that feminization is reshaping the veterinary profession and underscore the need for targeted measures to improve work–life balance, salaries, and working hours in order to ensure professional sustainability.

Cite this article as: Diez, E., Saur, R., Máté, M., & Ózsvári, L. (2026). Perceptions of feminization in the German veterinary profession. Acta Veterinaria Eurasia, 52, 0019, doi: 10.5152/actavet.2026.26019.