Ireland Physicians
Physicians per 1,000 people SH.MED.PHYS.ZS
Ireland's physicians was 4.02 in 2025, ranked 32nd globally. This represents a 3.6% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Ireland's physicians stood at 4.02 in 2025, a rise of +0.14 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 4.02 by 2025. Ireland ranked 32nd globally.
Ireland’s density of physicians rose from a trough of 1.55 in 1990 to an all‑time peak of 4.13 in 2010, reflecting a sustained expansion of medical training capacity and health‑system investment over three decades. By 2025 the country recorded 4.02 physicians per 1,000 people, ranking 32nd globally, a level only marginally below the 2010 high and comparable to peers such as Romania (4.08) and Moldova (4.08). The modest decline from the 2010 peak coincides with a period of fiscal consolidation and slower growth in health‑sector employment, yet the long‑term trajectory remains upward relative to the 1990 baseline. Continued demographic pressure from an ageing population and policy initiatives aimed at expanding clinical postgraduate slots suggest that physician density is likely to edge higher, provided funding constraints are addressed and workforce retention improves.
Data & projection
| Year | Physicians | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 4.12 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 4.02 | - | - |
| 2025 | 4.02 | +0.14 | #32 |
| 2023 | 3.88 | +0.51 | #11 |
| 2022 | 3.36 | −0.67 | #43 |
| 2021 | 4.03 | +0.57 | #25 |
| 2020 | 3.46 | +0.14 | #37 |
| 2019 | 3.32 | +0.04 | #40 |
| 2018 | 3.28 | +0.02 | #39 |
| 2017 | 3.26 | +0.06 | #37 |
| 2016 | 3.19 | +0.07 | #40 |
| 2015 | 3.12 | +0.11 | #36 |
| 2014 | 3.01 | −0.92 | #42 |
| 2013 | 3.93 | −0.02 | #17 |
| 2012 | 3.95 | −0.16 | #13 |
| 2011 | 4.10 | −0.02 | #10 |
| 2010 | 4.13 | +0.12 | #6 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Ireland 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
Ireland's physicians was 4.02 in 2025. Ranked 32nd globally. This represents a 3.6% increase from the previous year.
Ireland's physicians peaked at 4.13 in 2010.
The lowest physicians in Ireland was 1.55 in 1990.
Ireland ranks 32nd globally in physicians as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.MED.PHYS.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Ireland's physicians is projected to reach 4.02 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The physicians of Ireland in 2025 was 4.02. This ranks 32nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_ireland_physicians,
title = {Ireland Physicians},
url = {https://historysaid.com/ireland/physicians/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}