Uruguay Physicians
Physicians per 1,000 people SH.MED.PHYS.ZS
Uruguay's physicians was 4.85 in 2025, ranked 10th globally. This represents a 3.8% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Uruguay's physicians stood at 4.85 in 2025, a rise of +0.18 from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 4.85 by 2025. Uruguay ranked 10th globally.
Uruguay’s density of physicians rose from a historic low of 1.06 per 1,000 people in 1960 to 4.85 in 2025, placing the nation tenth worldwide and narrowly behind Malta’s 4.87 and Belarus’s 4.81. The upward trajectory accelerated after the 1990s, reaching an all‑time peak of 5.01 in 2017, a level that still exceeds the 2025 figure by a modest 0.16. The sustained expansion reflects expanded medical education capacity, public‑sector recruitment drives and higher health‑care spending relative to the region. Compared with Norway’s 5.19 and Germany’s 4.74, Uruguay remains competitive among both high‑income and middle‑income peers, suggesting that policy continuity has been effective. Nevertheless, the slight post‑peak decline hints at possible constraints such as aging physician cohorts or limited graduate output. Continued investment in training slots and retention incentives will be crucial if Uruguay aims to restore the 2017 peak and further improve its global standing.
Data & projection
| Year | Physicians | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 4.85 | - | - |
| 2025 | 4.85 | +0.18 | #10 |
| 2022 | 4.67 | +0.13 | #10 |
| 2021 | 4.55 | −0.46 | #11 |
| 2017 | 5.01 | +1.00 | #8 |
| 2016 | 4.01 | +0.01 | #17 |
| 2008 | 4.00 | +0.22 | #6 |
| 2002 | 3.78 | +0.03 | #7 |
| 1999 | 3.75 | +0.04 | #7 |
| 1996 | 3.70 | +0.14 | #7 |
| 1995 | 3.56 | +0.33 | #12 |
| 1992 | 3.23 | −0.45 | #19 |
| 1990 | 3.68 | +1.73 | #8 |
| 1985 | 1.95 | +0.02 | #25 |
| 1984 | 1.93 | −0.07 | #15 |
| 1981 | 2.00 | +0.89 | #16 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Uruguay matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2020. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw physicians improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Uruguay's physicians was 4.85 in 2025. Ranked 10th globally. This represents a 3.8% increase from the previous year.
Uruguay's physicians peaked at 5.01 in 2017.
The lowest physicians in Uruguay was 1.06 in 1960.
Uruguay ranks 10th globally in physicians as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.MED.PHYS.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Uruguay's physicians is projected to reach 4.85 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The physicians of Uruguay in 2025 was 4.85. This ranks 10th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_uruguay_physicians,
title = {Uruguay Physicians},
url = {https://historysaid.com/uruguay/physicians/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}