Malta Physicians
Physicians per 1,000 people SH.MED.PHYS.ZS
Malta's physicians was 4.87 in 2025, ranked 9th globally. This represents a 7.9% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Malta's physicians stood at 4.87 in 2025, a rise of +0.36 from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 4.87 by 2025. Malta ranked 9th globally.
Malta’s density of physicians has risen sharply from 0.89 per 1,000 people in 1960 to 4.87 in 2025, the highest level recorded in the World Bank series and the ninth‑largest figure worldwide. This four‑fold increase, achieved over 38 years of coverage, reflects sustained investment in medical education and health‑sector expansion that outpaced many comparable small states. By contrast, Norway, a high‑income peer, recorded 5.19 physicians per 1,000 in the same year, while Uruguay stood just below Malta at 4.85, underscoring Malta’s competitive position among nations with similar population sizes. The all‑time peak coincides with the most recent data point, indicating that the upward trajectory has continued unabated since the 1960 trough. Future shifts will depend on policy choices regarding workforce planning, retention of graduates and the balance between public and private provision; maintaining current growth will require continued alignment of training capacity with demographic and epidemiological demands.
Data & projection
| Year | Physicians | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 4.87 | - | - |
| 2025 | 4.87 | +0.36 | #9 |
| 2022 | 4.51 | +0.22 | #14 |
| 2021 | 4.29 | +0.13 | #20 |
| 2020 | 4.16 | +0.14 | #21 |
| 2019 | 4.03 | +0.05 | #23 |
| 2018 | 3.97 | +0.01 | #22 |
| 2017 | 3.97 | +0.14 | #21 |
| 2016 | 3.83 | +0.15 | #22 |
| 2015 | 3.68 | +0.07 | #22 |
| 2014 | 3.60 | +0.18 | #23 |
| 2013 | 3.42 | +0.18 | #26 |
| 2012 | 3.24 | +0.13 | #32 |
| 2011 | 3.11 | +0.08 | #33 |
| 2010 | 3.03 | +0.04 | #32 |
| 2009 | 2.99 | −0.29 | #33 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Malta matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw physicians improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Malta's physicians was 4.87 in 2025. Ranked 9th globally. This represents a 7.9% increase from the previous year.
Malta's physicians peaked at 4.87 in 2025.
The lowest physicians in Malta was 0.89 in 1960.
Malta ranks 9th globally in physicians as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.MED.PHYS.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Malta's physicians is projected to reach 4.87 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The physicians of Malta in 2025 was 4.87. This ranks 9th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_malta_physicians,
title = {Malta Physicians},
url = {https://historysaid.com/malta/physicians/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}