Afghanistan Physicians
Physicians per 1,000 people SH.MED.PHYS.ZS
Afghanistan's physicians was 0.32 in 2025, ranked 99th globally. This represents a 0.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Afghanistan's physicians stood at 0.32 in 2025, a rise of +0.00 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.32 by 2025. Afghanistan ranked 99th globally.
Afghanistan's physician-to-population ratio has seen a significant increase over the past 28 years, from a low of 0.04 in 1960 to 0.32 in 2025, ranking 99th globally. This growth, while substantial, still lags behind several of its peers, including Lesotho with a ratio of 0.35, and Haiti with a ratio of 0.31. Despite this, the trend indicates a progressive improvement in the country's healthcare infrastructure. The physician-to-population ratio peaked at 0.32 in 2025, nearly seven times higher than its 1960 level. This increase is likely a result of the country's growing investment in healthcare and education. However, further progress may be hampered by ongoing conflict and regional instability, which could hinder the recruitment and retention of medical professionals. A stabilization of the security situation and sustained investment in healthcare infrastructure could potentially propel Afghanistan's physician-to-population ratio further upwards, allowing it to close the gap with its higher-ranking peers.
Data & projection
| Year | Physicians | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 0.33 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.32 | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.32 | +0.00 | #99 |
| 2023 | 0.32 | +0.06 | #43 |
| 2020 | 0.25 | +0.04 | #110 |
| 2019 | 0.21 | −0.09 | #113 |
| 2018 | 0.30 | +0.06 | #122 |
| 2017 | 0.25 | −0.04 | #119 |
| 2016 | 0.28 | −0.01 | #110 |
| 2015 | 0.29 | −0.01 | #101 |
| 2014 | 0.30 | +0.01 | #105 |
| 2013 | 0.29 | +0.04 | #98 |
| 2012 | 0.25 | −0.01 | #101 |
| 2011 | 0.26 | +0.01 | #94 |
| 2010 | 0.24 | +0.02 | #109 |
| 2009 | 0.22 | +0.04 | #104 |
| 2008 | 0.18 | +0.00 | #108 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Afghanistan matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2022. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw physicians improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Afghanistan's physicians was 0.32 in 2025. Ranked 99th globally. This represents a 0.3% increase from the previous year.
Afghanistan's physicians peaked at 0.32 in 2025.
The lowest physicians in Afghanistan was 0.04 in 1960.
Afghanistan ranks 99th globally in physicians as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.MED.PHYS.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Afghanistan's physicians is projected to reach 0.32 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The physicians of Afghanistan in 2025 was 0.32. This ranks 99th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_afghanistan_physicians,
title = {Afghanistan Physicians},
url = {https://historysaid.com/afghanistan/physicians/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}