Kenya Physicians
Physicians per 1,000 people SH.MED.PHYS.ZS
Kenya's physicians was 0.29 in 2025, ranked 104th globally. This represents a 1.7% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Kenya's physicians stood at 0.29 in 2025, a rise of +0.00 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.29 by 2025. Kenya ranked 104th globally.
Kenya’s density of physicians has risen from 0.09 in 1960 to 0.29 in 2025, placing the country at 104th globally and matching the all‑time peak recorded in the same year. The upward trajectory accelerated after a pronounced trough of 0.07 in 2020, suggesting that recent policy interventions and medical training expansions have begun to offset earlier shortages. Over the 23‑year coverage period, the increase represents more than a threefold gain, yet Kenya still lags behind peer nations such as Benin (0.30) and Mauritania (0.29), which maintain slightly higher physician ratios. The modest gap underscores persistent challenges in health workforce distribution, especially in rural regions where provider scarcity remains acute. Continued investment in medical education, retention incentives, and public‑private partnerships could sustain the current momentum, potentially pushing Kenya’s physician density beyond the 2025 peak and narrowing the gap with its regional counterparts.
Data & projection
| Year | Physicians | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 0.32 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.29 | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.29 | +0.00 | #104 |
| 2023 | 0.29 | +0.05 | #44 |
| 2022 | 0.24 | +0.14 | #94 |
| 2021 | 0.10 | +0.02 | #115 |
| 2020 | 0.07 | −0.09 | #129 |
| 2018 | 0.16 | −0.04 | #134 |
| 2014 | 0.20 | +0.01 | #109 |
| 2013 | 0.19 | +0.01 | #101 |
| 2012 | 0.18 | +0.01 | #104 |
| 2011 | 0.18 | +0.01 | #97 |
| 2010 | 0.17 | +0.00 | #113 |
| 2009 | 0.17 | +0.00 | #110 |
| 2008 | 0.17 | +0.03 | #111 |
| 2002 | 0.14 | +0.01 | #87 |
| 1995 | 0.13 | −0.01 | #111 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Kenya 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
Kenya's physicians was 0.29 in 2025. Ranked 104th globally. This represents a 1.7% increase from the previous year.
Kenya's physicians peaked at 0.29 in 2025.
The lowest physicians in Kenya was 0.07 in 2020.
Kenya ranks 104th globally in physicians as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.MED.PHYS.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Kenya's physicians is projected to reach 0.29 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The physicians of Kenya in 2025 was 0.29. This ranks 104th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_kenya_physicians,
title = {Kenya Physicians},
url = {https://historysaid.com/kenya/physicians/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}