Iceland Physicians
Physicians per 1,000 people SH.MED.PHYS.ZS
Iceland's physicians was 4.71 in 2025, ranked 13th globally. This represents a 7.8% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Iceland's physicians stood at 4.71 in 2025, a rise of +0.34 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 4.71 by 2025. Iceland ranked 13th globally.
Iceland's physician-to-population ratio has shown a steady increase over the past six decades, with the number of physicians per 1,000 people rising from a low of 1.20 in 1967 to a high of 4.71 in 2025. This upward trend is consistent with many developed economies, including Germany where the ratio is slightly higher at 4.74 physicians per 1,000 people. Notably, Iceland's ratio has surpassed that of Spain, which stood at 4.67 physicians per 1,000 people in 2025. The significant increase in Iceland's physician-to-population ratio suggests a strong commitment to healthcare infrastructure and access. The country's all-time peak in 2025 underscores the ongoing efforts to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes. However, a decrease in the number of medical graduates or an aging population could potentially alter the trajectory of this trend, and future policies should prioritize maintaining a robust healthcare workforce to ensure continued access to quality medical care.
Data & projection
| Year | Physicians | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 4.82 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 4.71 | - | - |
| 2025 | 4.71 | +0.34 | #13 |
| 2023 | 4.37 | −0.07 | #8 |
| 2022 | 4.44 | +0.06 | #17 |
| 2021 | 4.38 | +0.06 | #18 |
| 2020 | 4.32 | +0.43 | #17 |
| 2019 | 3.89 | +0.00 | #25 |
| 2018 | 3.89 | +0.02 | #24 |
| 2017 | 3.87 | +0.02 | #22 |
| 2016 | 3.85 | +0.08 | #21 |
| 2015 | 3.77 | +0.13 | #19 |
| 2014 | 3.64 | +0.04 | #22 |
| 2013 | 3.61 | +0.05 | #23 |
| 2012 | 3.56 | +0.06 | #23 |
| 2011 | 3.50 | −0.09 | #24 |
| 2010 | 3.59 | −0.06 | #21 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Iceland matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2016. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw physicians improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Iceland's physicians was 4.71 in 2025. Ranked 13th globally. This represents a 7.8% increase from the previous year.
Iceland's physicians peaked at 4.71 in 2025.
The lowest physicians in Iceland was 1.20 in 1960.
Iceland ranks 13th globally in physicians as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.MED.PHYS.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Iceland's physicians is projected to reach 4.71 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The physicians of Iceland in 2025 was 4.71. This ranks 13th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_iceland_physicians,
title = {Iceland Physicians},
url = {https://historysaid.com/iceland/physicians/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}