Latvia Physicians
Physicians per 1,000 people SH.MED.PHYS.ZS
Latvia's physicians was 3.47 in 2025, ranked 45th globally. This represents a 2.2% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1980–2025.
Overview
Latvia's physicians stood at 3.47 in 2025, a rise of +0.07 from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 3.47 by 2025. Latvia ranked 45th globally.
Latvia’s physician density stood at 3.47 per 1,000 people in 2025, placing the country 45th globally and just below the United Kingdom’s 3.45 and slightly above Estonia’s 3.43. The indicator has trended downward since the all‑time peak of 4.18 in 1988, when the Soviet‑era health system still maintained a relatively high supply of doctors. A pronounced trough occurred in 2001, reaching 2.69, reflecting post‑independence fiscal constraints and emigration of medical staff. Over the 40‑year span, the figure has recovered modestly but remains below the early‑1980s level of 3.62, suggesting that demographic shifts, continued out‑migration, and limited expansion of medical education have constrained growth. Recent policy efforts to increase training slots and improve rural incentives could stabilize the current level, while sustained investment in health workforce planning will be needed to reverse the long‑term decline.
Data & projection
| Year | Physicians | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 3.47 | - | - |
| 2025 | 3.47 | +0.07 | #45 |
| 2022 | 3.40 | +0.04 | #41 |
| 2021 | 3.36 | +0.02 | #41 |
| 2020 | 3.34 | +0.07 | #40 |
| 2019 | 3.27 | −0.04 | #43 |
| 2018 | 3.30 | +0.10 | #38 |
| 2017 | 3.21 | −0.01 | #41 |
| 2016 | 3.21 | +0.02 | #38 |
| 2015 | 3.20 | −0.02 | #33 |
| 2014 | 3.22 | +0.03 | #34 |
| 2013 | 3.19 | +0.05 | #34 |
| 2012 | 3.14 | +0.01 | #34 |
| 2011 | 3.13 | +0.03 | #31 |
| 2010 | 3.11 | −0.05 | #31 |
| 2009 | 3.15 | −0.08 | #30 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Latvia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2017. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw physicians improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Latvia's physicians was 3.47 in 2025. Ranked 45th globally. This represents a 2.2% increase from the previous year.
Latvia's physicians peaked at 4.18 in 1988.
The lowest physicians in Latvia was 2.69 in 2001.
Latvia ranks 45th globally in physicians as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.MED.PHYS.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Latvia's physicians is projected to reach 3.47 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The physicians of Latvia in 2025 was 3.47. This ranks 45th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_latvia_physicians,
title = {Latvia Physicians},
url = {https://historysaid.com/latvia/physicians/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}