Regional maldistribution of French physicians--as measured by the physicians/population ratio--has been reduced during the period 1985-2000. The numerus clausus policy (the medical student intake is determined every year by the government) which favors to some extent the underserved regions has contributed to the process of equalization. However this is applicable only to GPs whose the training at post graduate level is carried out in their own region. The students who are admitted to specialty training have a greater regional mobility and have not strongly contributed to the regional equalization process. After their training, medical doctors may migrate from a region to another. The migratory flows have increased the regional maldistribution. On the other side, the retirement flows, which have not had the same importance in all regions, have strengthened the equalization process.