Japan Physicians
Physicians per 1,000 people SH.MED.PHYS.ZS
Japan's physicians was 2.77 in 2025, ranked 61st globally. This represents a 4.4% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Japan's physicians stood at 2.77 in 2025, a rise of +0.12 from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 2.77 by 2025. Japan ranked 61st globally.
Japan’s density of physicians has risen steadily from 1.00 per 1,000 people in 1968, the all‑time trough, to 2.77 in 2025, the highest figure recorded and the 61st position globally. This 177 percent increase over 57 years reflects a sustained expansion of medical education capacity and health‑care infrastructure, outpacing many peers; for example, Korea reported 2.75 physicians per 1,000 in the same year, while Montenegro registered a slightly higher 2.80. The 40‑year coverage window captures the most rapid growth phases in the 1990s and 2000s, coinciding with ageing‑population pressures that prompted policy incentives for medical school enrollment and foreign‑trained doctor recruitment. Although the upward trajectory remains robust, future shifts could arise from demographic stagnation, potential reforms to physician work‑hour regulations, or accelerated adoption of telemedicine, all of which may temper the pace of further increases.
Data & projection
| Year | Physicians | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 2.77 | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.77 | +0.12 | #61 |
| 2022 | 2.65 | +0.06 | #59 |
| 2020 | 2.59 | +0.11 | #59 |
| 2018 | 2.49 | +0.06 | #57 |
| 2016 | 2.42 | +0.07 | #54 |
| 2014 | 2.35 | +0.07 | #56 |
| 2012 | 2.28 | +0.07 | #54 |
| 2010 | 2.21 | +0.07 | #54 |
| 2008 | 2.15 | +0.06 | #52 |
| 2006 | 2.08 | +0.05 | #52 |
| 2004 | 2.03 | +0.05 | #51 |
| 2002 | 1.98 | +0.04 | #52 |
| 2000 | 1.93 | +0.04 | #51 |
| 1998 | 1.89 | +0.05 | #46 |
| 1996 | 1.84 | +0.07 | #45 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Japan matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2004. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw physicians improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Japan's physicians was 2.77 in 2025. Ranked 61st globally. This represents a 4.4% increase from the previous year.
Japan's physicians peaked at 2.77 in 2025.
The lowest physicians in Japan was 1.00 in 1960.
Japan ranks 61st globally in physicians as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.MED.PHYS.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Japan's physicians is projected to reach 2.77 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The physicians of Japan in 2025 was 2.77. This ranks 61st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_japan_physicians,
title = {Japan Physicians},
url = {https://historysaid.com/japan/physicians/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}