Guinea-Bissau Physicians
Physicians per 1,000 people SH.MED.PHYS.ZS
Guinea-Bissau's physicians was 0.30 in 2025, ranked 101st globally. This represents a 19.0% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Guinea-Bissau's physicians stood at 0.30 in 2025, a rise of +0.05 from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.30 by 2025. Guinea-Bissau ranked 101st globally.
Guinea‑Bissau’s physician density has risen from a historic low of 0.04 physicians per 1,000 people in 1960 to 0.30 in 2025, the same figure recorded at the all‑time peak in 2018 and ranking it 101st globally. This 7.5‑fold increase over six decades reflects modest but steady expansion of the health workforce, yet the absolute level remains well below the regional average and comparable only to peers such as Lao PDR (0.30) and Benin (0.30). The limited coverage of 17 years of data suggests that fluctuations may be under‑captured, but the consistent upward trajectory points to incremental improvements in medical training and retention. Persistently low salaries, fragile public finances and periodic political instability continue to constrain further gains. Strengthening financing mechanisms, expanding medical education capacity and improving working conditions could accelerate progress, potentially moving the country closer to the physician densities observed in more advanced health systems.
Data & projection
| Year | Physicians | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 0.30 | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.30 | +0.05 | #101 |
| 2022 | 0.25 | +0.03 | #92 |
| 2021 | 0.22 | +0.03 | #101 |
| 2020 | 0.19 | −0.11 | #113 |
| 2018 | 0.30 | +0.20 | #123 |
| 2016 | 0.10 | −0.10 | #119 |
| 2015 | 0.20 | +0.14 | #104 |
| 2011 | 0.06 | −0.02 | #109 |
| 2009 | 0.08 | +0.03 | #119 |
| 2008 | 0.05 | −0.09 | #123 |
| 2004 | 0.14 | −0.03 | #115 |
| 1996 | 0.17 | −0.01 | #82 |
| 1994 | 0.18 | +0.03 | #71 |
| 1985 | 0.14 | +0.00 | #57 |
| 1980 | 0.14 | +0.09 | #64 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Guinea-Bissau matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2008. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw physicians improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Guinea-Bissau's physicians was 0.30 in 2025. Ranked 101st globally. This represents a 19.0% increase from the previous year.
Guinea-Bissau's physicians peaked at 0.30 in 2018.
The lowest physicians in Guinea-Bissau was 0.05 in 1960.
Guinea-Bissau ranks 101st globally in physicians as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.MED.PHYS.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Guinea-Bissau's physicians is projected to reach 0.30 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The physicians of Guinea-Bissau in 2025 was 0.30. This ranks 101st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_guinea-bissau_physicians,
title = {Guinea-Bissau Physicians},
url = {https://historysaid.com/guinea-bissau/physicians/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}