Total Number of Doctors 2018
The total number of doctors in each country reflects healthcare workforce size and capacity to serve the population.
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Complete Data Rankings
Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.
- #157
Niger - #156
South Sudan - #155
Tanzania - #154
Chad - #153
Papua New Guinea - #152
Central African Republic - #151
Benin - #150
Togo - #149
Sierra Leone - #148
Ethiopia
Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.
Analysis & Context
In 2018, Cuba led the world in the Total Number of Doctors per capita, with a value of 8.51. Globally, the range spanned from 0.04 in Niger to 8.51 in Cuba. The average number of doctors per country was 2.01, while the median was slightly lower at 1.81.
Global Disparities in Doctor Distribution
The data from 2018 reveals significant disparities in the distribution of doctors across countries. Cuba and Monaco top the list with 8.505 and 8.298 doctors per 1,000 people, respectively, reflecting robust healthcare systems and investment in medical education. In contrast, Niger recorded the lowest number at 0.037, highlighting a stark contrast in healthcare capacity. This discrepancy is often influenced by economic resources, with wealthier nations able to support larger healthcare workforces.
Economic and Policy Influences on Healthcare Workforce
Countries with high numbers of doctors like Greece (6.105) and Portugal (5.276) often benefit from strong educational infrastructures and favorable healthcare policies. These nations prioritize medical education and provide incentives for healthcare professionals, ensuring a steady supply of trained doctors. Conversely, countries such as Chad (0.05) and Tanzania (0.05) face economic constraints that limit their ability to train and retain medical professionals. Policy initiatives in these regions often focus on basic healthcare access rather than expanding the workforce.
Impact of Urbanization on Doctor Availability
Urbanization plays a pivotal role in the availability of doctors. Countries with high urbanization rates, like Argentina (5.167), tend to have higher doctor densities due to concentrated healthcare facilities in urban centers. This urban focus attracts medical professionals seeking better infrastructure and career opportunities. In contrast, rural areas in countries like Benin (0.073) and Togo (0.074) struggle to attract and retain doctors, exacerbating healthcare access issues.
Year-over-Year Trends and Notable Changes
Examining year-over-year changes, Georgia saw the most significant increase in doctors, rising by 1.03 (15.9%), attributed to enhanced medical training programs and government incentives. Similarly, Iran experienced a 40.5% increase, reflecting strategic investments in healthcare. Conversely, Mauritius experienced a decline of 0.41 (-18.1%), which may be due to policy shifts or economic challenges affecting healthcare funding. Other notable decreases occurred in Suriname (-30.9%) and Nicaragua (-31.8%), highlighting potential areas for policy intervention.
In summary, the distribution of doctors in 2018 underscores the influence of economic status, urbanization, and policy decisions on healthcare workforce size. Countries with robust economies and healthcare policies enjoy higher doctor densities, while those with economic and infrastructural challenges fall behind, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to improve global healthcare access.
Frequently Asked Questions About Total Number of Doctors in 2018
Which country had the highest number of doctors per capita in 2018?
Cuba had the highest number of doctors per capita in 2018, with a value of 8.51.
Which country had the lowest number of doctors per capita in 2018?
Niger had the lowest number of doctors per capita in 2018, with a value of 0.04.
What was the average number of doctors per capita across all countries in 2018?
The average number of doctors per capita across all countries in 2018 was 2.01.
What was the median number of doctors per capita in 2018?
The median number of doctors per capita in 2018 was 1.81.
Which countries were in the top 3 for the number of doctors per capita in 2018?
The top 3 countries for the number of doctors per capita in 2018 were Cuba (8.51), Monaco (8.3), and Georgia (7.51).
What is the range of doctors per capita among the countries in the dataset for 2018?
The range of doctors per capita in 2018 spans from 0.04 in Niger to 8.51 in Cuba.
Insights by country
Bahrain
Bahrain ranked #101 globally with a total number of doctors at 0.729 per 1,000 people in 2018. This figure is lower than the regional average for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which typically have higher healthcare professional densities. The relatively low number of doctors can be attributed to Bahrain's smaller population size and a healthcare system that has historically focused on efficiency rather than expansive growth in medical personnel.
Lesotho
In 2018, Lesotho ranked #113 globally with a total number of doctors at 0.457 per 1,000 people. This figure is significantly lower than the global average, reflecting challenges in healthcare access and workforce availability. Contributing factors include the country's mountainous terrain, which complicates healthcare delivery, and a high prevalence of diseases such as HIV/AIDS, straining the already limited medical resources.
Republic of Moldova
In 2018, the Republic of Moldova had a total of 3.204 doctors, ranking #42 out of 157 countries. This figure is relatively low compared to many European nations, where the average number of doctors per capita is significantly higher. Contributing factors include Moldova's economic challenges and a healthcare system that faces ongoing reforms, impacting the availability of medical professionals in the country.
Portugal
In 2018, Portugal ranked #6 globally with a total number of doctors amounting to 5.276 per 1,000 inhabitants. This figure is notably higher than the global average, reflecting Portugal's strong healthcare system. Contributing factors include a robust public health policy, significant investment in medical education, and a commitment to universal healthcare access, which ensures a high doctor-to-population ratio.
South Africa
In 2018, South Africa ranked #100 globally with a total number of doctors valued at 0.742. This figure is significantly lower than the global average, reflecting challenges in healthcare access compared to higher-ranked nations. Contributing factors include a complex healthcare system, socioeconomic disparities, and a high burden of diseases, which complicate the distribution and availability of medical professionals across the country.
Nigeria
Nigeria ranked #117 globally with a total number of doctors at 0.364 per 1,000 people in 2018. This figure is significantly lower than many of its African neighbors, reflecting a broader regional challenge in healthcare accessibility. Contributing factors include a high population growth rate, economic constraints, and ongoing challenges in healthcare infrastructure, which hinder the training and retention of medical professionals.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom ranked #50 globally with a total number of doctors amounting to 2.828 doctors per 1,000 people in 2018. This figure is lower than the European average, reflecting a healthcare system that faces challenges in meeting rising demand. Contributing factors include an aging population and the pressures of the National Health Service (NHS), which has historically struggled with staffing shortages and funding constraints.
Romania
In 2018, Romania ranked #45 globally with a total number of doctors amounting to 3.028 per 1,000 people. This figure is notably lower than the European Union average, reflecting challenges in healthcare accessibility compared to its neighbors. Contributing factors include a significant emigration of healthcare professionals seeking better opportunities abroad and a healthcare system that has faced budgetary constraints, impacting the training and retention of medical staff.
Vietnam
In 2018, Vietnam ranked #96 globally with a total number of doctors amounting to 0.881 per 1,000 people. This figure is lower than the global average, reflecting challenges in healthcare access compared to neighboring countries like Thailand, which has a higher doctor-to-population ratio. Contributing factors include Vietnam's developing economy, which has historically limited healthcare funding and resources, as well as a growing population that places increased demand on medical services.
Slovakia
In 2018, Slovakia ranked #29 globally with a total number of doctors amounting to 3.523 per 1,000 inhabitants. This figure is notably higher than the global average, reflecting Slovakia's commitment to healthcare access and quality. Contributing factors include a robust education system for medical professionals and government policies aimed at improving healthcare infrastructure. Additionally, Slovakia's relatively small population allows for a more concentrated healthcare workforce, enhancing service delivery.
Data Source
Our World in Data
Our World in Data is a collaborative effort between researchers at the University of Oxford, who are the scientific editors of the website content; and the UK-based nonprofit organization Global Change Data Lab (GCDL), which publishes and maintains the website and the data tools that make our work possible.
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