Liberia Physicians
Physicians per 1,000 people SH.MED.PHYS.ZS
Liberia's physicians was 0.21 in 2025, ranked 115th globally. This represents a 16.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Liberia's physicians stood at 0.21 in 2025, a rise of +0.03 from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.21 by 2025. Liberia ranked 115th globally.
Liberia’s density of physicians has risen from 0.08 per 1,000 people in 1960 to an all‑time peak of 0.21 in 2025, placing the country 115th globally (World Bank). After a dramatic trough of just 0.01 in 2008, the post‑conflict health sector reforms and modest expansion of medical training programmes have driven a steady climb over the past two decades, averaging roughly one‑tenth of a physician per 1,000 each year. This trajectory still lags behind regional peers such as Uganda (0.22) and Mali (0.22), underscoring persistent shortages in a nation of over four million inhabitants. The increase reflects incremental investments rather than large‑scale capacity building, and the current level remains far below the World Health Organization’s recommended minimum of 2.3 physicians per 1,000. Continued fiscal commitment to medical education, coupled with incentives to retain clinicians, will be essential to sustain the upward trend and narrow the gap with neighboring countries.
Data & projection
| Year | Physicians | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 0.21 | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.21 | +0.03 | #115 |
| 2022 | 0.18 | +0.01 | #102 |
| 2021 | 0.17 | +0.02 | #106 |
| 2020 | 0.15 | +0.01 | #118 |
| 2019 | 0.15 | +0.00 | #119 |
| 2018 | 0.14 | +0.09 | #137 |
| 2017 | 0.05 | +0.00 | #136 |
| 2016 | 0.05 | +0.01 | #126 |
| 2015 | 0.04 | +0.01 | #121 |
| 2010 | 0.02 | −0.00 | #131 |
| 2009 | 0.02 | +0.01 | #129 |
| 2008 | 0.01 | −0.02 | #133 |
| 2004 | 0.03 | +0.01 | #134 |
| 1997 | 0.02 | −0.08 | #107 |
| 1983 | 0.11 | +0.00 | #36 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Liberia 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
Liberia's physicians was 0.21 in 2025. Ranked 115th globally. This represents a 16.1% increase from the previous year.
Liberia's physicians peaked at 0.21 in 2025.
The lowest physicians in Liberia was 0.01 in 2008.
Liberia ranks 115th globally in physicians as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.MED.PHYS.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Liberia's physicians is projected to reach 0.21 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The physicians of Liberia in 2025 was 0.21. This ranks 115th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_liberia_physicians,
title = {Liberia Physicians},
url = {https://historysaid.com/liberia/physicians/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}