Zambia Physicians
Physicians per 1,000 people SH.MED.PHYS.ZS
Zambia's physicians was 0.40 in 2025, ranked 96th globally. This represents a 22.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Zambia's physicians stood at 0.40 in 2025, a rise of +0.07 from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.40 by 2025. Zambia ranked 96th globally.
Zambia’s density of physicians per 1,000 people has risen from 0.11 in 1960 to a historic high of 0.40 in 2025, placing the country 96th worldwide. After a pronounced trough of 0.05 in 2006, the upward trajectory accelerated, reaching the same level as Nigeria (0.40) and surpassing Botswana (0.38) and Lesotho (0.35). The 23‑year coverage of World Bank data captures this recovery, which reflects expanded medical training programmes and modest increases in public health spending after the early‑2000s fiscal reforms. Nevertheless, the absolute figure remains well below the sub‑Saharan African average of roughly 0.7 physicians per 1,000, indicating persistent shortages in rural clinics and specialist services. Continued investment in medical education, retention incentives, and infrastructure upgrades will be crucial to sustain the recent gains and shift Zambia’s physician density onto a more robust, long‑term growth path.
Data & projection
| Year | Physicians | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 0.40 | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.40 | +0.07 | #96 |
| 2022 | 0.32 | +0.03 | #89 |
| 2021 | 0.30 | +0.04 | #100 |
| 2020 | 0.25 | +0.02 | #111 |
| 2019 | 0.24 | +0.01 | #112 |
| 2018 | 0.22 | +0.13 | #127 |
| 2016 | 0.09 | +0.03 | #121 |
| 2010 | 0.06 | +0.00 | #122 |
| 2009 | 0.06 | −0.00 | #121 |
| 2008 | 0.06 | +0.01 | #119 |
| 2006 | 0.05 | −0.00 | #98 |
| 2005 | 0.06 | −0.08 | #105 |
| 2004 | 0.13 | +0.06 | #116 |
| 1995 | 0.07 | −0.02 | #115 |
| 1990 | 0.09 | −0.05 | #118 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Zambia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw physicians improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Zambia's physicians was 0.40 in 2025. Ranked 96th globally. This represents a 22.1% increase from the previous year.
Zambia's physicians peaked at 0.40 in 2025.
The lowest physicians in Zambia was 0.05 in 2006.
Zambia ranks 96th globally in physicians as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.MED.PHYS.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Zambia's physicians is projected to reach 0.40 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The physicians of Zambia in 2025 was 0.40. This ranks 96th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_zambia_physicians,
title = {Zambia Physicians},
url = {https://historysaid.com/zambia/physicians/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}