Kuwait Physicians
Physicians per 1,000 people SH.MED.PHYS.ZS
Kuwait's physicians was 2.27 in 2020, ranked 68th globally. This represents a 8.9% increase from 2019. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2020.
Overview
Kuwait's physicians stood at 2.27 in 2020, a rise of +0.19 from 2019. Kuwait ranked 68th globally.
Kuwait’s physician density rose from 0.87 per 1,000 people in 1960, the all‑time trough, to a peak of 2.67 in 2014, before settling at 2.27 in 2020, ranking 68th globally. The increase reflects sustained public investment in health infrastructure and the expansion of medical education during the post‑oil boom, which accelerated the recruitment of both domestic graduates and expatriate doctors. Compared with peers, Kuwait’s 2020 figure is slightly below Uzbekistan’s 2.31 and above Malaysia’s 2.18, suggesting a moderate but competitive position within the broader Middle‑East and emerging‑economy context. The 27‑year coverage of World Bank data captures the rapid climb in the 1990s and early 2000s, followed by a modest slowdown after the 2014 peak, likely due to constraints in training capacity and reliance on foreign staff. Continued diversification of the economy and investment in local medical schools could revive growth, keeping Kuwait’s physician density on an upward trajectory.
Data & projection
| Year | Physicians | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2.27 | +0.19 | #68 |
| 2019 | 2.09 | +0.06 | #71 |
| 2018 | 2.03 | −0.08 | #73 |
| 2017 | 2.11 | +0.00 | #70 |
| 2016 | 2.11 | −0.54 | #65 |
| 2015 | 2.65 | −0.02 | #48 |
| 2014 | 2.67 | +0.12 | #50 |
| 2013 | 2.55 | +0.07 | #50 |
| 2012 | 2.48 | −0.01 | #50 |
| 2011 | 2.48 | +0.01 | #50 |
| 2010 | 2.47 | +0.56 | #48 |
| 2009 | 1.91 | +0.03 | #58 |
| 2008 | 1.88 | +0.00 | #64 |
| 2007 | 1.88 | +0.42 | #57 |
| 2006 | 1.46 | −0.34 | #66 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Kuwait matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2012. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw physicians improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Kuwait's physicians was 2.27 in 2020. Ranked 68th globally. This represents a 8.9% increase from the previous year.
Kuwait's physicians peaked at 2.67 in 2014.
The lowest physicians in Kuwait was 0.87 in 1960.
Kuwait ranks 68th globally in physicians as of 2020.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.MED.PHYS.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The physicians of Kuwait in 2020 was 2.27. This ranks 68th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_kuwait_physicians,
title = {Kuwait Physicians},
url = {https://historysaid.com/kuwait/physicians/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}