Physicians (per 1,000 people) in United Kingdom was reported at 3.174 in 2022, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. United Kingdom - Physicians - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2025.

Afghanistan Physicians: per 1000 People data was reported at 0.254 Ratio in 2020. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.212 Ratio for 2019. Afghanistan Physicians: per 1000 People data is updated yearly, averaging 0.186 Ratio from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2020, with 26 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.298 Ratio in 2014 and a record low of 0.035 Ratio in 1960. Afghanistan Physicians: per 1000 People data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Afghanistan – Table AF.World Bank.WDI: Social: Health Statistics. Physicians include generalist and specialist medical practitioners.;World Health Organization's Global Health Workforce Statistics, OECD, supplemented by country data.;Weighted average;This is the Sustainable Development Goal indicator 3.c.1 [https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/metadata/].

Among OECD countries in 2022, South Korea had the highest rate of yearly visits to a doctor per capita. On average, people in South Korea visited the doctors 15.7 times per year in person. Health care utilization is an important indicator of the success of a country’s health care system. There are many factors that affect health care utilization including healthcare structure and the supply of health care providers.

OECD health systems

Healthcare systems globally include a variety of tools for accessing healthcare, including private insurance based systems, like in the U.S., and universal systems, like in the U.K. Health systems have varying costs among the OECD countries. Worldwide, Europe has the highest expenditures for health as a proportion of the GDP. Among all OECD countries, The United States had the highest share of government spending on health care. Recent estimates of current per capita health expenditures showed the United States also had, by far, the highest per capita spending on health worldwide.

Supply of health providers

Globally, the country with the highest physician density is Cuba, although most other countries with high number of physicians to population was found in Europe. The number of graduates of medicine impacts the number of available physicians in countries. Among OECD countries, Latvia had the highest rate of graduates of medicine, which was almost twice the rate of the OECD average.

Vietnam VN: Physicians: per 1000 People data was reported at 0.821 Ratio in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.790 Ratio for 2015. Vietnam VN: Physicians: per 1000 People data is updated yearly, averaging 0.616 Ratio from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2016, with 24 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.180 Ratio in 2013 and a record low of 0.241 Ratio in 1980. Vietnam VN: Physicians: per 1000 People data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Vietnam – Table VN.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Physicians include generalist and specialist medical practitioners.; ; World Health Organization's Global Health Workforce Statistics, OECD, supplemented by country data.; Weighted average;

Laos LA: Physicians: per 1000 People data was reported at 0.491 Ratio in 2014. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.447 Ratio for 2013. Laos LA: Physicians: per 1000 People data is updated yearly, averaging 0.277 Ratio from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2014, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.729 Ratio in 1985 and a record low of 0.020 Ratio in 1960. Laos LA: Physicians: per 1000 People data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Laos – Table LA.World Bank: Health Statistics. Physicians include generalist and specialist medical practitioners.; ; World Health Organization's Global Health Workforce Statistics, OECD, supplemented by country data.; Weighted average;

This statistic displays the number of doctors consultations per capita in the United Kingdom from 2003 to 2009. The number of doctors consultations per capita has fluctuated during the period concerned, peaking at 5.9 consultations per capita in 2008.

Congo, Republic of CG: Physicians: per 1000 People data was reported at 0.175 Ratio in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.100 Ratio for 2018. Congo, Republic of CG: Physicians: per 1000 People data is updated yearly, averaging 0.166 Ratio from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2022, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.734 Ratio in 1998 and a record low of 0.060 Ratio in 1960. Congo, Republic of CG: Physicians: per 1000 People data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Congo, Republic of – Table CG.World Bank.WDI: Social: Health Statistics. Physicians include generalist and specialist medical practitioners.;World Health Organization's Global Health Workforce Statistics, OECD, supplemented by country data.;Weighted average;This is the Sustainable Development Goal indicator 3.c.1 [https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/metadata/].

Madagascar MG: Physicians: per 1000 People data was reported at 0.143 Ratio in 2012. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.144 Ratio for 2011. Madagascar MG: Physicians: per 1000 People data is updated yearly, averaging 0.143 Ratio from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2012, with 21 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.272 Ratio in 1995 and a record low of 0.087 Ratio in 2001. Madagascar MG: Physicians: per 1000 People data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Madagascar – Table MG.World Bank: Health Statistics. Physicians include generalist and specialist medical practitioners.; ; World Health Organization's Global Health Workforce Statistics, OECD, supplemented by country data.; Weighted average;

Ukraine UA: Physicians: per 1000 People data was reported at 3.000 Ratio in 2014. This records a decrease from the previous number of 3.506 Ratio for 2013. Ukraine UA: Physicians: per 1000 People data is updated yearly, averaging 3.686 Ratio from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2014, with 28 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.407 Ratio in 1995 and a record low of 2.951 Ratio in 2003. Ukraine UA: Physicians: per 1000 People data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ukraine – Table UA.World Bank: Health Statistics. Physicians include generalist and specialist medical practitioners.; ; World Health Organization's Global Health Workforce Statistics, OECD, supplemented by country data.; Weighted average;

Moldova MD: Physicians: per 1000 People data was reported at 3.198 Ratio in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 2.537 Ratio for 2014. Moldova MD: Physicians: per 1000 People data is updated yearly, averaging 3.198 Ratio from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2015, with 31 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.631 Ratio in 1998 and a record low of 2.439 Ratio in 2010. Moldova MD: Physicians: per 1000 People data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Moldova – Table MD.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Physicians include generalist and specialist medical practitioners.; ; World Health Organization's Global Health Workforce Statistics, OECD, supplemented by country data.; Weighted average;

The United Kingdom has seen a significant increase in the number of general practitioners (GPs) over the past two decades, reaching nearly 54,000 in 2023. This figure represents a slight decrease from the previous year, which marked the highest number of GPs in the country since 2000. Gender dynamics in general practice A notable trend in the UK's GP workforce is the growing representation of female doctors. In NHS England, female GPs outnumbered their male counterparts, with over 20,000 female GPs compared to approximately 17,800 male GPs as of December 2024. This shift is not limited to England, as Scotland and Wales have also seen a rise in female GPs. In Scotland, there were about 3,200 female GPs compared to 1,900 male GPs in 2023, while Wales reported 1,334 female GPs and 996 male GPs in 2024. Comparison with other European countries While the UK has made strides in increasing its GP workforce, it still ranks third in Europe in terms of the number of practicing GPs. France leads with 65,469 GPs, followed by Germany with 60,601 in 2021. It's worth noting that the UK experienced a spike in GP numbers in 2020, likely due to emergency measures implemented during the early stages of the pandemic, including the introduction of a temporary emergency register and earlier registration of graduates.

Yemen YE: Physicians: per 1000 People data was reported at 0.311 Ratio in 2014. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.310 Ratio for 2009. Yemen YE: Physicians: per 1000 People data is updated yearly, averaging 0.219 Ratio from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2014, with 15 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.338 Ratio in 2004 and a record low of 0.007 Ratio in 1990. Yemen YE: Physicians: per 1000 People data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Yemen – Table YE.World Bank: Health Statistics. Physicians include generalist and specialist medical practitioners.; ; World Health Organization's Global Health Workforce Statistics, OECD, supplemented by country data.; Weighted average;

Niger NE: Physicians: per 1000 People data was reported at 0.019 Ratio in 2010. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.019 Ratio for 2008. Niger NE: Physicians: per 1000 People data is updated yearly, averaging 0.023 Ratio from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2010, with 15 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.035 Ratio in 1997 and a record low of 0.011 Ratio in 1960. Niger NE: Physicians: per 1000 People data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Niger – Table NE.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Physicians include generalist and specialist medical practitioners.; ; World Health Organization's Global Health Workforce Statistics, OECD, supplemented by country data.; Weighted average;

Benin BJ: Physicians: per 1000 People data was reported at 0.195 Ratio in 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.212 Ratio for 2021. Benin BJ: Physicians: per 1000 People data is updated yearly, averaging 0.058 Ratio from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2022, with 23 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.212 Ratio in 2021 and a record low of 0.030 Ratio in 1965. Benin BJ: Physicians: per 1000 People data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Benin – Table BJ.World Bank.WDI: Social: Health Statistics. Physicians include generalist and specialist medical practitioners.;World Health Organization's Global Health Workforce Statistics, OECD, supplemented by country data.;Weighted average;This is the Sustainable Development Goal indicator 3.c.1 [https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/metadata/].

Samoa WS: Physicians: per 1000 People data was reported at 0.344 Ratio in 2010. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.463 Ratio for 2008. Samoa WS: Physicians: per 1000 People data is updated yearly, averaging 0.347 Ratio from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2010, with 14 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.691 Ratio in 1999 and a record low of 0.207 Ratio in 1989. Samoa WS: Physicians: per 1000 People data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Samoa – Table WS.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Physicians include generalist and specialist medical practitioners.; ; World Health Organization's Global Health Workforce Statistics, OECD, supplemented by country data.; Weighted average;

Syria SY: Physicians: per 1000 People data was reported at 1.546 Ratio in 2014. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.505 Ratio for 2010. Syria SY: Physicians: per 1000 People data is updated yearly, averaging 1.339 Ratio from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2014, with 25 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.558 Ratio in 2005 and a record low of 0.185 Ratio in 1965. Syria SY: Physicians: per 1000 People data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Syrian Arab Republic – Table SY.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Physicians include generalist and specialist medical practitioners.; ; World Health Organization's Global Health Workforce Statistics, OECD, supplemented by country data.; Weighted average;

In 2021, there were over 65 thousand general practitioners (GP) practicing in France, the highest number recorded in Europe, followed by Germany with approximately 61 thousand GPs and the Turkey with 60 thousand.

Visiting the doctor

In 2018, a survey of French individuals revealed that 83 percent of respondents consult with a physician at least once a year. Furthermore, 46 percent of those will see their doctor three times or more in a year. In Great Britain, the share of respondents who visit a physician at least once a year is lower than in France with 66 percent going at least once.

Comparisons of other healthcare personnel

Germany had the highest total number of employees in health and social care in Europe in 2021 with over 6.3 million individuals working in this sector, followed by the UK with approximately 4.2 million and France with roughly four million employees in the health and social care sector.

Bangladesh BD: Physicians: per 1000 People data was reported at 0.670 Ratio in 2021. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.656 Ratio for 2020. Bangladesh BD: Physicians: per 1000 People data is updated yearly, averaging 0.326 Ratio from Dec 1965 (Median) to 2021, with 29 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.670 Ratio in 2021 and a record low of 0.119 Ratio in 1970. Bangladesh BD: Physicians: per 1000 People data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bangladesh – Table BD.World Bank.WDI: Social: Health Statistics. Physicians include generalist and specialist medical practitioners.;World Health Organization's Global Health Workforce Statistics, OECD, supplemented by country data.;Weighted average;This is the Sustainable Development Goal indicator 3.c.1 [https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/metadata/].

Vanuatu VU: Physicians: per 1000 People data was reported at 0.186 Ratio in 2012. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.116 Ratio for 2010. Vanuatu VU: Physicians: per 1000 People data is updated yearly, averaging 0.147 Ratio from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2012, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.301 Ratio in 1970 and a record low of 0.099 Ratio in 1991. Vanuatu VU: Physicians: per 1000 People data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Vanuatu – Table VU.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Physicians include generalist and specialist medical practitioners.; ; World Health Organization's Global Health Workforce Statistics, OECD, supplemented by country data.; Weighted average;

In 2021, there were 27 medical students who graduated per 100,000 population in Latvia, the highest in OECD countries. In comparison there were just 13 graduates of medicine per 100,000 population in the UK, less than half of the top countries. This statistic depicts the number of medical graduates per 100,000 inhabitants in OECD countries in 2021.