Trinidad and Tobago Physicians
Physicians per 1,000 people SH.MED.PHYS.ZS
Trinidad and Tobago's physicians was 4.16 in 2021, ranked 22nd globally. This represents a 3.3% decrease from 2020. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2021.
Overview
Trinidad and Tobago's physicians stood at 4.16 in 2021, a decline of +0.14 from 2020. Trinidad and Tobago ranked 22nd globally.
Trinidad and Tobago’s physician density rose from a modest 0.42 per 1,000 people in 1960 to an all‑time peak of 4.30 in 2020, reflecting a sustained expansion of the health workforce over six decades. The early trough of 0.26 in 1965 underscores how limited medical capacity was during the post‑colonial period, but successive investments in training and recruitment lifted the ratio to 4.16 in 2021, placing the nation 22nd worldwide. This 2021 figure sits just below the densities of peers such as Czechia (4.25) and Malta (4.29), indicating that Trinidad and Tobago has achieved a level comparable to many small European states despite a smaller population base. The 31‑year coverage of World Bank data shows a clear upward trajectory, driven by both domestic medical school output and the return of expatriate doctors. Continued growth will depend on maintaining financing for medical education and improving retention incentives, which could push the density beyond the 2020 peak in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Physicians | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4.16 | −0.14 | #22 |
| 2020 | 4.30 | +0.09 | #18 |
| 2019 | 4.21 | +0.27 | #19 |
| 2018 | 3.94 | +0.72 | #23 |
| 2017 | 3.22 | +0.68 | #39 |
| 2015 | 2.54 | +0.80 | #49 |
| 2011 | 1.74 | +0.01 | #68 |
| 2010 | 1.73 | +0.29 | #67 |
| 2009 | 1.44 | +0.31 | #69 |
| 2007 | 1.13 | −0.04 | #74 |
| 2006 | 1.17 | +0.40 | #73 |
| 2003 | 0.78 | −0.02 | #76 |
| 2002 | 0.79 | −0.14 | #78 |
| 2001 | 0.93 | −0.03 | #74 |
| 2000 | 0.97 | +0.08 | #76 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Trinidad and Tobago matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2014. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw physicians improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Trinidad and Tobago's physicians was 4.16 in 2021. Ranked 22nd globally. This represents a 3.3% decrease from the previous year.
Trinidad and Tobago's physicians peaked at 4.30 in 2020.
The lowest physicians in Trinidad and Tobago was 0.26 in 1965.
Trinidad and Tobago ranks 22nd globally in physicians as of 2021.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.MED.PHYS.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The physicians of Trinidad and Tobago in 2021 was 4.16. This ranks 22nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_trinidad-and-tobago_physicians,
title = {Trinidad and Tobago Physicians},
url = {https://historysaid.com/trinidad-and-tobago/physicians/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}