How many doctors per person globally?

The global average is approximately 17.5 physicians per 10,000 people.

Which country has the most doctors?

Among major nations, Germany leads with 44.8 doctors per 10,000 people. Cuba has 84 per 10,000.

What does the WHO recommend?

The WHO recommends a minimum of 10 physicians per 10,000 population. Many countries in Africa fall far below this threshold.

Global Average Doctor Density

Last updated: February 3, 2026

17.5

per 10,000

The global average physician density is approximately 17.5 doctors per 10,000 people. Cuba leads at 84, while many Sub-Saharan African countries have fewer than 1. The WHO recommends a minimum of 10 per 10,000 for basic coverage.

Historical Trend

Source: WHO

Global Average Doctor Density by Country

Country	Value (per 10,000) ↓	Source
Germany	44.8	BÄK
Switzerland	43.6	BFS
Sweden	42	WHO
Russia	40.1	Rosstat
Australia	39.8	AIHW
France	33.6	DREES
United Kingdom	30.3	GMC
United States	26.1	AAMC
Saudi Arabia	26.1	MOH
Japan	25.6	MHLW
United Arab Emirates	25.3	MOHAP
South Korea	25.2	KOSIS
Brazil	23.1	CFM
China	22.4	NHC
Pakistan	10.6	PMDC
India	7.3	NMC
Nigeria	3.8	MDCN

Why This Average Exists

Doctor density is a key indicator of healthcare system capacity and directly correlates with health outcomes, especially in primary care and emergency medicine.

Factors That Affect Global Average Doctor Density

Medical school capacity
Brain drain emigration
Government healthcare spending
Salaries and working conditions
Rural-urban distribution
Training duration

Frequently Asked Questions

Methodology & Data Sources

The data presented on this page is compiled from publicly available datasets published by international organizations including the World Bank, World Health Organization (WHO), International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations, NASA, and national statistical agencies.

Global averages are calculated using population-weighted or arithmetic means depending on the metric. Country-level data reflects the most recent available figures, typically from 2024–2024. Where gaps exist, the latest available data point is used.

All figures are subject to revision as source organizations update their datasets. For the most authoritative data, we encourage consulting the original sources linked in the table above.