Brazil Physicians
Physicians per 1,000 people SH.MED.PHYS.ZS
Brazil's physicians was 2.46 in 2025, ranked 67th globally. This represents a 4.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Brazil's physicians stood at 2.46 in 2025, a rise of +0.10 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 2.46 by 2025. Brazil ranked 67th globally.
Brazil’s physician density has risen dramatically from 0.37 per 1,000 people in 1960 to an all‑time peak of 2.46 in 2025, placing the country 67th globally (World Bank, 2025). This 564 percent increase over 65 years reflects sustained expansion of medical education, public‑health financing and urbanisation, yet the figure still lags behind nearby peers such as Malaysia (2.52) and Qatar (2.39). The steepest gains occurred after the 1990s, when health‑sector reforms and private‑sector growth accelerated the supply of doctors, while the early post‑war period saw the trough at 0.37, coinciding with limited university capacity and a largely agrarian economy. Although the upward trajectory suggests continued improvement, Brazil’s future physician density will depend on policy choices regarding graduate‑medical‑school seats, regional deployment incentives and the balance between public and private provision; without targeted reforms, the growth rate may moderate.
Data & projection
| Year | Physicians | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 2.50 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 2.46 | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.46 | +0.10 | #67 |
| 2023 | 2.36 | +0.17 | #24 |
| 2021 | 2.19 | −0.16 | #67 |
| 2019 | 2.35 | +0.15 | #63 |
| 2017 | 2.20 | +0.29 | #67 |
| 2013 | 1.91 | +0.04 | #67 |
| 2011 | 1.87 | +0.49 | #62 |
| 1999 | 1.38 | +0.10 | #52 |
| 1998 | 1.28 | −0.01 | #56 |
| 1997 | 1.30 | +0.04 | #58 |
| 1996 | 1.26 | +0.03 | #54 |
| 1995 | 1.23 | +0.03 | #62 |
| 1994 | 1.20 | +0.03 | #53 |
| 1993 | 1.17 | +0.03 | #59 |
| 1992 | 1.14 | +0.05 | #58 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Brazil matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2016. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw physicians improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Brazil's physicians was 2.46 in 2025. Ranked 67th globally. This represents a 4.3% increase from the previous year.
Brazil's physicians peaked at 2.46 in 2025.
The lowest physicians in Brazil was 0.37 in 1960.
Brazil ranks 67th globally in physicians as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.MED.PHYS.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Brazil's physicians is projected to reach 2.46 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The physicians of Brazil in 2025 was 2.46. This ranks 67th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_brazil_physicians,
title = {Brazil Physicians},
url = {https://historysaid.com/brazil/physicians/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}