Thailand Physicians
Physicians per 1,000 people SH.MED.PHYS.ZS
Thailand's physicians was 0.54 in 2021, ranked 95th globally. This represents a 6.3% increase from 2020. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2021.
Overview
Thailand's physicians stood at 0.54 in 2021, a rise of +0.03 from 2020. Thailand ranked 95th globally.
Thailand’s density of physicians has risen markedly since the earliest World Bank observation in 1960, when the country recorded 0.13 physicians per 1,000 people. A pronounced trough occurred in 1970 at 0.12, after which the health workforce expanded steadily, reaching an all‑time peak of 0.79 in 2017. By 2021 the figure stood at 0.54 physicians per 1,000, ranking Thailand 95th globally and placing it close to peer nations such as Samoa (0.56) and Bhutan (0.56). The 29‑year coverage of data shows a persistent upward trajectory, driven by government investment in medical education and rural service incentives. Nevertheless, the current level remains below the World Health Organization’s recommended threshold of 1.0 per 1,000, suggesting that further expansion of training capacity and retention policies will be essential to sustain growth and improve access to care.
Data & projection
| Year | Physicians | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0.54 | +0.03 | #95 |
| 2020 | 0.51 | −0.04 | #103 |
| 2019 | 0.55 | +0.03 | #104 |
| 2018 | 0.52 | −0.27 | #112 |
| 2017 | 0.79 | +0.36 | #99 |
| 2016 | 0.43 | −0.02 | #102 |
| 2015 | 0.45 | +0.07 | #95 |
| 2010 | 0.38 | +0.05 | #103 |
| 2009 | 0.33 | +0.02 | #100 |
| 2008 | 0.31 | +0.02 | #103 |
| 2007 | 0.29 | +0.01 | #98 |
| 2006 | 0.28 | −0.01 | #91 |
| 2004 | 0.29 | −0.01 | #99 |
| 2002 | 0.30 | −0.00 | #85 |
| 2001 | 0.30 | +0.01 | #91 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Thailand 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
Thailand's physicians was 0.54 in 2021. Ranked 95th globally. This represents a 6.3% increase from the previous year.
Thailand's physicians peaked at 0.79 in 2017.
The lowest physicians in Thailand was 0.12 in 1970.
Thailand ranks 95th globally in physicians as of 2021.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.MED.PHYS.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The physicians of Thailand in 2021 was 0.54. This ranks 95th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_thailand_physicians,
title = {Thailand Physicians},
url = {https://historysaid.com/thailand/physicians/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}