Australia Physicians
Physicians per 1,000 people SH.MED.PHYS.ZS
Australia's physicians was 4.34 in 2025, ranked 23rd globally. This represents a 6.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1961–2025.
Overview
Australia's physicians stood at 4.34 in 2025, a rise of +0.26 from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 4.34 by 2025. Australia ranked 23rd globally.
Australia’s density of physicians rose from 1.10 in 1961 to 4.34 in 2025, a four‑fold increase over 45 years that places the country 23rd globally. The all‑time peak of 4.34 coincides with the most recent year on record, reflecting sustained expansion of medical training capacity and an ageing population that has heightened demand for health services. By contrast, the early‑1960s trough of 1.10 underscores the modest size of the health workforce during a period of limited tertiary education infrastructure. Australia’s current level is closely matched by peers such as Lithuania (4.35) and Italy (4.27), suggesting that its physician supply is comparable to other high‑income economies that have pursued similar policies of workforce expansion and immigration of health professionals. Continued growth will likely depend on the balance between medical school enrolments, retention incentives, and demographic pressures; without further investment in training and rural placement schemes, the upward trajectory could moderate in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Physicians | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 4.34 | - | - |
| 2025 | 4.34 | +0.26 | #23 |
| 2022 | 4.09 | +0.11 | #25 |
| 2021 | 3.98 | +0.08 | #26 |
| 2020 | 3.90 | +0.09 | #25 |
| 2019 | 3.81 | +0.08 | #26 |
| 2018 | 3.73 | +0.07 | #25 |
| 2017 | 3.66 | +0.10 | #24 |
| 2016 | 3.56 | +0.07 | #26 |
| 2015 | 3.49 | +0.05 | #23 |
| 2014 | 3.43 | +0.08 | #27 |
| 2013 | 3.36 | +0.06 | #30 |
| 2012 | 3.29 | −0.00 | #30 |
| 2011 | 3.30 | −0.05 | #28 |
| 2010 | 3.35 | +0.24 | #28 |
| 2009 | 3.10 | +0.10 | #31 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Australia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw physicians improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Australia's physicians was 4.34 in 2025. Ranked 23rd globally. This represents a 6.3% increase from the previous year.
Australia's physicians peaked at 4.34 in 2025.
The lowest physicians in Australia was 1.10 in 1961.
Australia ranks 23rd globally in physicians as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.MED.PHYS.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Australia's physicians is projected to reach 4.34 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The physicians of Australia in 2025 was 4.34. This ranks 23rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_australia_physicians,
title = {Australia Physicians},
url = {https://historysaid.com/australia/physicians/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}