Spain Physicians
Physicians per 1,000 people SH.MED.PHYS.ZS
Spain's physicians was 4.67 in 2025, ranked 14th globally. This represents a 8.8% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Spain's physicians stood at 4.67 in 2025, a rise of +0.38 from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 4.67 by 2025. Spain ranked 14th globally.
Spain's physician-to-population ratio has shown a significant increase over the past three and a half decades, with the latest figure standing at 4.67 per 1,000 people, ranking fourteenth globally. This growth represents a substantial improvement from the all-time low of 2.04 physicians per 1,000 people in 1990, indicating a substantial expansion of Spain's healthcare sector. When compared to its peers, Spain lags slightly behind Iceland, which boasts the highest physician-to-population ratio at 4.71, but surpasses Switzerland's ratio of 4.58. The steady rise in this indicator suggests a concerted effort by the Spanish government to enhance the accessibility and quality of healthcare services for its citizens. However, a reversal in this trend could be triggered by a significant shift in the country's demographics or a decline in public healthcare spending, which would require careful planning and policy adjustments to mitigate any adverse effects.
Data & projection
| Year | Physicians | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 4.67 | - | - |
| 2025 | 4.67 | +0.38 | #14 |
| 2022 | 4.29 | −0.16 | #20 |
| 2021 | 4.46 | −0.09 | #15 |
| 2020 | 4.55 | +0.17 | #11 |
| 2019 | 4.38 | +0.38 | #13 |
| 2018 | 4.00 | +0.14 | #20 |
| 2017 | 3.85 | +0.05 | #23 |
| 2016 | 3.80 | −0.02 | #23 |
| 2015 | 3.83 | +0.04 | #18 |
| 2014 | 3.78 | −0.01 | #21 |
| 2013 | 3.79 | −0.01 | #21 |
| 2012 | 3.80 | −0.01 | #20 |
| 2011 | 3.81 | +0.08 | #18 |
| 2010 | 3.74 | +0.16 | #17 |
| 2009 | 3.58 | +0.05 | #22 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Spain matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2023. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw physicians improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Spain's physicians was 4.67 in 2025. Ranked 14th globally. This represents a 8.8% increase from the previous year.
Spain's physicians peaked at 4.67 in 2025.
The lowest physicians in Spain was 2.04 in 1990.
Spain ranks 14th globally in physicians as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.MED.PHYS.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Spain's physicians is projected to reach 4.67 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The physicians of Spain in 2025 was 4.67. This ranks 14th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_spain_physicians,
title = {Spain Physicians},
url = {https://historysaid.com/spain/physicians/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}