Italy Physicians
Physicians per 1,000 people SH.MED.PHYS.ZS
Italy's physicians was 4.27 in 2025, ranked 24th globally. This represents a 1.9% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Italy's physicians stood at 4.27 in 2025, a rise of +0.08 from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 4.27 by 2025. Italy ranked 24th globally.
Italy’s density of physicians has fallen markedly since the early 2000s, slipping from an all‑time peak of 9.34 per 1,000 people in 2002 to 3.42 in the 2000 trough and reaching 4.27 in 2025, ranking 24th globally. The 34‑year series shows a long‑term downward trajectory, with the most recent figure still above the 2000 low but well below the 1990 level of 5.49. Compared with peers of similar rank, Italy’s 2025 physician density is slightly higher than Croatia’s 4.15 and Cyprus’s 4.15, yet marginally below Australia’s 4.34 and Lithuania’s 4.35. The persistent decline reflects demographic aging, limited medical school expansion and regional disparities in health‑care staffing. Continued investment in training capacity and incentives for practice in underserved areas will be crucial to halt the erosion and potentially reverse the trend toward higher physician availability in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Physicians | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 4.27 | - | - |
| 2025 | 4.27 | +0.08 | #24 |
| 2022 | 4.19 | +0.13 | #21 |
| 2021 | 4.06 | +0.09 | #23 |
| 2020 | 3.97 | −0.05 | #24 |
| 2019 | 4.02 | +0.04 | #24 |
| 2018 | 3.99 | −0.01 | #21 |
| 2017 | 4.00 | +0.04 | #20 |
| 2016 | 3.96 | +0.12 | #20 |
| 2015 | 3.85 | −0.04 | #17 |
| 2014 | 3.89 | +0.01 | #18 |
| 2013 | 3.87 | +0.06 | #18 |
| 2012 | 3.81 | −0.02 | #19 |
| 2011 | 3.84 | +0.07 | #15 |
| 2010 | 3.76 | +0.02 | #14 |
| 2009 | 3.74 | −0.00 | #13 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Italy matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 1986. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw physicians improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Italy's physicians was 4.27 in 2025. Ranked 24th globally. This represents a 1.9% increase from the previous year.
Italy's physicians peaked at 9.34 in 2002.
The lowest physicians in Italy was 3.42 in 2000.
Italy ranks 24th globally in physicians as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.MED.PHYS.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Italy's physicians is projected to reach 4.27 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The physicians of Italy in 2025 was 4.27. This ranks 24th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_italy_physicians,
title = {Italy Physicians},
url = {https://historysaid.com/italy/physicians/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}