Libya Physicians
Physicians per 1,000 people SH.MED.PHYS.ZS
Libya's physicians was 2.04 in 2017, ranked 72nd globally. This represents a 9.7% increase from 2016. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2017.
Overview
Libya's physicians stood at 2.04 in 2017, a rise of +0.18 from 2015. Libya ranked 72nd globally.
Libya’s density of physicians rose dramatically from 0.15 per 1,000 people in 1960 to 2.04 in 2017, the highest level recorded in the series and placing the country 72nd globally. This ten‑fold increase reflects sustained expansion of medical education and health‑sector investment over the past six decades, yet the 2017 figure remains modest compared with peers such as Costa Rica (2.10) and Oman (2.01). The growth trajectory accelerated after the 1990s, when government reforms and oil‑fuelled fiscal capacity allowed the establishment of new medical schools and the recruitment of expatriate doctors. Despite the progress, the physician‑to‑population ratio still lags behind regional benchmarks like Kuwait (2.11) and China (2.00), underscoring gaps in service coverage and specialist availability. Continued diversification of the economy and targeted health‑workforce policies will be crucial to maintain the upward trend and narrow the gap with higher‑ranking peers.
Data & projection
| Year | Physicians | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2.04 | +0.18 | #72 |
| 2015 | 1.86 | −0.18 | #67 |
| 2014 | 2.04 | +0.15 | #67 |
| 2009 | 1.89 | +0.10 | #59 |
| 2008 | 1.79 | +0.56 | #67 |
| 2004 | 1.23 | −0.03 | #72 |
| 1997 | 1.26 | −0.18 | #61 |
| 1993 | 1.44 | +0.37 | #52 |
| 1990 | 1.07 | −0.37 | #67 |
| 1983 | 1.44 | −0.12 | #22 |
| 1982 | 1.56 | −0.07 | #25 |
| 1981 | 1.63 | +0.30 | #22 |
| 1980 | 1.33 | +0.97 | #31 |
| 1970 | 0.37 | +0.11 | #59 |
| 1965 | 0.26 | +0.11 | #49 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Libya 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
Libya's physicians was 2.04 in 2017. Ranked 72nd globally. This represents a 9.7% increase from the previous year.
Libya's physicians peaked at 2.04 in 2017.
The lowest physicians in Libya was 0.15 in 1960.
Libya ranks 72nd globally in physicians as of 2017.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.MED.PHYS.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The physicians of Libya in 2017 was 2.04. This ranks 72nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_libya_physicians,
title = {Libya Physicians},
url = {https://historysaid.com/libya/physicians/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}