Malaysia Physicians
Physicians per 1,000 people SH.MED.PHYS.ZS
Malaysia's physicians was 2.52 in 2025, ranked 66th globally. This represents a 7.6% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Malaysia's physicians stood at 2.52 in 2025, a rise of +0.18 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 2.52 by 2025. Malaysia ranked 66th globally.
Malaysia’s density of physicians rose from a historic low of 0.14 per 1,000 people in 1960 to an all‑time peak of 2.52 in 2025, placing the country 66th globally. Over the 46‑year span the increase averages roughly 0.05 physicians per 1,000 annually, reflecting sustained expansion of medical education capacity and public‑sector recruitment. The 2025 figure is marginally below Türkiye’s 2.55 and Brazil’s 2.46, yet above Qatar’s 2.39, indicating Malaysia’s performance is comparable to other emerging economies that have invested heavily in health workforce development. The upward trajectory coincides with broader ASEAN health initiatives and rising private‑sector participation, which have helped close the gap with higher‑ranking peers. Continued growth will depend on maintaining medical school enrolments, improving rural deployment incentives, and addressing potential shortages of specialist staff; without such measures the pace of physician density gains could moderate in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Physicians | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 2.59 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 2.52 | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.52 | +0.18 | #66 |
| 2023 | 2.34 | +0.05 | #25 |
| 2022 | 2.29 | +0.02 | #63 |
| 2021 | 2.27 | +0.09 | #66 |
| 2020 | 2.18 | +0.16 | #69 |
| 2019 | 2.02 | +0.16 | #72 |
| 2018 | 1.86 | +0.07 | #78 |
| 2017 | 1.79 | +0.21 | #81 |
| 2016 | 1.58 | +0.09 | #77 |
| 2015 | 1.49 | +0.01 | #76 |
| 2014 | 1.48 | −0.07 | #82 |
| 2013 | 1.56 | +0.25 | #78 |
| 2012 | 1.31 | +0.05 | #78 |
| 2011 | 1.26 | +0.10 | #79 |
| 2010 | 1.15 | +0.07 | #84 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Malaysia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2011. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw physicians improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Malaysia's physicians was 2.52 in 2025. Ranked 66th globally. This represents a 7.6% increase from the previous year.
Malaysia's physicians peaked at 2.52 in 2025.
The lowest physicians in Malaysia was 0.14 in 1960.
Malaysia ranks 66th globally in physicians as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.MED.PHYS.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Malaysia's physicians is projected to reach 2.52 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The physicians of Malaysia in 2025 was 2.52. This ranks 66th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_malaysia_physicians,
title = {Malaysia Physicians},
url = {https://historysaid.com/malaysia/physicians/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}