Total Number of Doctors 2023
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
Rank | Actions | ||
|---|---|---|---|
1 |  Georgia | 5.642 | |
2 |  Austria | 5.515 | |
3 |  Argentina | 5.106 | |
4 |  Andorra | 5.068 | |
5 |  Norway | 4.975 | |
6 |  Belarus | 4.717 | |
7 |  San Marino | 4.629 | |
8 |  Iceland | 4.373 | |
9 |  Poland | 4.031 | |
10 |  Republic of Moldova | 4.016 | |
11 |  Ireland | 3.875 | |
12 |  Israel | 3.797 | |
13 |  Kazakhstan | 3.754 | |
14 |  Ukraine | 3.531 | |
15 |  Saudi Arabia | 3.406 | |
16 |  Chile | 3.334 | |
17 |  United Kingdom | 3.301 | |
18 |  Qatar | 3.022 | |
19 |  United Arab Emirates | 2.992 | |
20 |  Canada | 2.819 | |
21 |  Montenegro | 2.783 | |
22 |  Colombia | 2.535 | |
23 |  Dominican Republic | 2.426 | |
24 |  Brazil | 2.357 | |
25 |  Malaysia | 2.341 | |
26 |  Turkmenistan | 1.93 | |
27 |  Tajikistan | 1.87 | |
28 |  Iran | 1.811 | |
29 |  Palau | 1.808 | |
30 |  Peru | 1.688 | |
31 |  El Salvador | 1.616 | |
32 |  Kyrgyzstan | 1.568 | |
33 |  Suriname | 1.355 | |
34 |  Sri Lanka | 1.136 | |
35 |  Nepal | 1.011 | |
36 |  Cabo Verde | 0.73 | |
37 |  Bangladesh | 0.722 | |
38 |  Eswatini | 0.557 | |
39 |  Indonesia | 0.524 | |
40 |  Jamaica | 0.46 | |
41 |  Nigeria | 0.38 | |
42 |  Botswana | 0.379 | |
43 |  Afghanistan | 0.317 | |
44 |  Kenya | 0.289 | |
45 |  Ghana | 0.266 | |
46 |  Solomon Islands | 0.238 | |
47 |  Benin | 0.216 | |
48 |  Mali | 0.188 | |
49 |  Côte d'Ivoire | 0.166 | |
50 |  Ethiopia | 0.143 | |
51 |  Zimbabwe | 0.136 | |
52 |  Senegal | 0.109 | |
53 |  Yemen | 0.098 | |
54 |  Gambia | 0.09 | |
55 |  Chad | 0.085 | |
56 |  Central African Republic | 0.074 | |
57 |  Papua New Guinea | 0.061 | |
58 |  Niger | 0.038 |
- #1Georgia
- #2Austria
- #3Argentina
- #4Andorra
- #5Norway
- #6Belarus
- #7San Marino
- #8Iceland
- #9Poland
- #10Republic of Moldova
Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.
- #58Niger
- #57Papua New Guinea
- #56Central African Republic
- #55Chad
- #54Gambia
- #53Yemen
- #52Senegal
- #51Zimbabwe
- #50Ethiopia
- #49Côte d'Ivoire
Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.
Analysis & Context
In 2023, Georgia leads in the Total Number of Doctors with a value of 5.642, while the global range spans from 0.038 in Niger to 5.642 in Georgia. The global average stands at 2.01, providing a snapshot of healthcare workforce distribution worldwide.
Economic Development and Healthcare Resources
The availability of doctors is often correlated with a country's economic status and investment in healthcare infrastructure. Georgia, with a leading value of 5.642, benefits from a robust healthcare system supported by its economic policies. Similarly, countries like Austria (5.515) and Norway (4.975) showcase high numbers of doctors, reflecting their well-funded public health sectors and comprehensive medical education systems.
Conversely, nations such as Niger (0.038) and Chad (0.085) struggle with low doctor-to-population ratios. These countries face economic challenges that hinder their ability to train and retain healthcare professionals, impacting overall healthcare delivery.
Geopolitical Factors and Healthcare Access
Geopolitical stability plays a crucial role in healthcare access. For instance, Yemen (0.098) and the Central African Republic (0.074) have low doctor numbers, exacerbated by ongoing conflicts that disrupt medical education and infrastructure. In contrast, Andorra (5.068) and San Marino (4.629) maintain high doctor numbers, aided by peaceful environments and strong international relations that support healthcare initiatives.
Urbanization and Healthcare Workforce Distribution
Urbanization significantly influences the distribution of healthcare workers. Urban centers attract more doctors due to better facilities and opportunities. Iceland (4.373) and Poland (4.031) benefit from urbanized regions where healthcare systems can support more professionals. Meanwhile, rural areas in countries like Zimbabwe (0.136) and Ethiopia (0.143) face challenges in attracting and retaining medical personnel, leading to disparities in healthcare access.
Year-over-Year Changes in Doctor Availability
The year-over-year changes highlight dynamic shifts in healthcare workforce availability. Poland experienced the most significant increase, with a rise of 0.61 (17.7%), driven by government initiatives to enhance healthcare capacity. Similarly, Ireland saw a notable increase of 0.51 (15.3%), reflecting successful recruitment and retention policies.
On the other hand, Palau faced a substantial decrease of 0.66 (-26.9%), possibly due to migration or policy changes affecting healthcare staffing. Argentina also saw a decrease of 0.33 (-6.1%), which could be linked to economic challenges impacting healthcare funding and employment.
In summary, the Total Number of Doctors in 2023 reveals significant disparities influenced by economic, geopolitical, and urbanization factors. While some countries enhance their healthcare workforce through strategic investments, others continue to face challenges that impede access to medical professionals, highlighting the need for targeted policies to address these disparities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Total Number of Doctors in 2023
Which country has the highest number of doctors in 2023?
Georgia has the highest number of doctors in 2023 with a value of 5.64.
Which country has the lowest number of doctors in 2023?
Niger has the lowest number of doctors in 2023 with a value of 0.04.
What is the average number of doctors across the countries in the dataset for 2023?
The average number of doctors across the 58 countries in the dataset for 2023 is 2.01.
What is the median number of doctors among the countries in the dataset for 2023?
The median number of doctors among the countries in the dataset for 2023 is 1.75.
Which countries are in the top 10 for the number of doctors in 2023?
The top 10 countries for the number of doctors in 2023 are Georgia, Austria, Argentina, Andorra, Norway, Belarus, San Marino, Iceland, Poland, and the Republic of Moldova.
What is the range of doctor numbers in the dataset for 2023?
The range of doctor numbers in the dataset for 2023 spans from 0.04 in Niger to 5.64 in Georgia.
Insights by country
Saudi Arabia
In 2023, Saudi Arabia ranks #15 globally with a total number of doctors amounting to 3.406. This figure is notably higher than the regional average, reflecting the country's extensive investments in healthcare infrastructure. Key drivers include Saudi Arabia's economic wealth from oil revenues, which has facilitated significant healthcare reforms and the establishment of numerous medical schools to increase the number of trained professionals.
Israel
In 2023, Israel ranks #12 globally with a total number of doctors reaching 3.797 per 1,000 people. This figure is notably higher than the global average, reflecting the country's robust healthcare system. Key drivers include Israel's advanced medical education infrastructure and significant investment in healthcare technology, which support a high density of medical professionals relative to its population size.
Kenya
In 2023, Kenya ranks #44 globally with a total number of doctors at 0.289 per 1,000 people. This figure is notably lower than the global average, reflecting challenges in healthcare access compared to higher-ranked countries like Cuba, which has a significantly higher doctor-to-population ratio. Contributing factors include Kenya's ongoing healthcare reforms, economic constraints, and a growing population, which strain the existing medical workforce.
Poland
In 2023, Poland ranks #9 globally with a total number of doctors reaching 4.031 per 1,000 people. This figure is notably higher than the global average, reflecting Poland's commitment to healthcare access and quality. Contributing factors include a robust healthcare system supported by government policies and a growing emphasis on medical education and training, which have increased the number of practicing physicians in recent years.
Yemen
In 2023, Yemen ranks #53 globally with a total number of doctors at 0.098 per 1,000 people. This figure is significantly lower than many neighboring countries, highlighting a critical healthcare challenge in the region. Ongoing conflict, economic instability, and limited access to education have severely hindered the development of the medical workforce in Yemen.
Chad
In 2023, Chad ranks #55 globally with a total number of doctors valued at 0.085 per 1,000 people. This figure places Chad among the lowest in the world, significantly below regional averages in Central Africa, where countries like Cameroon have higher doctor-to-population ratios. Contributing factors to this low number include Chad's ongoing economic challenges, limited healthcare infrastructure, and a shortage of medical training facilities, which hinder the development of a robust healthcare workforce.
Cabo Verde
Cabo Verde ranks #36 globally with a total number of doctors at 0.73 per 1,000 people in 2023. This figure is notably lower than many countries in the region, reflecting challenges in healthcare accessibility compared to higher-ranked nations. Contributing factors include the country's geographic isolation and limited resources, which hinder the recruitment and retention of medical professionals.
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates ranks #19 globally with a total number of doctors at 2.992 per 1,000 people in 2023. This figure is significantly higher than the global average, reflecting the country's robust healthcare investments. A combination of a rapidly growing population, high levels of expatriate workers, and government policies prioritizing health infrastructure development have driven this impressive healthcare workforce expansion.
Colombia
In 2023, Colombia ranks #22 globally with a total number of doctors at 2.535 per 1,000 people. This figure places Colombia above the regional average for South America, indicating a relatively strong healthcare professional presence compared to its neighbors. Key drivers for this statistic include ongoing investments in healthcare infrastructure and a commitment to improving medical education, which are essential for addressing the country's healthcare needs.
Chile
In 2023, Chile ranks #16 globally with a total number of doctors at 3.334 per 1,000 inhabitants. This figure is higher than the regional average in South America, indicating a strong healthcare workforce relative to many neighboring countries. Contributing factors include Chile's investment in healthcare infrastructure and a focus on medical education, which have helped to increase the number of practicing physicians in the country.
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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