Physicians, total — all countries

Physicians, total — Brazil

Physicians, total in Brazil in 2024 — 529,672 people. Ranked 2 in the world out of 72. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 227.2%.

2024 529,672 people +6.44% vs 2023
World rank 2of 72
Period maximum 529,672 people2024
Period minimum 161,880 people1990

Trend over time

1990–2024 · people

Physicians, total — Brazil, 1990–20240200,000400,000600,00019901994199820022006201020142018202220241990: 161,880 people1992: 175,848 people1993: 183,068 people1994: 190,554 people1995: 198,479 people1996: 206,675 people1997: 215,875 people1998: 216,632 people1999: 236,668 people2011: 365,231 people2013: 378,354 people2017: 450,010 people2019: 487,659 people2021: 459,080 people2023: 497,602 people2024: 529,672 people
Change over the period: +367,792 (+227.2%) Average annual rate: 3.55 %
Physicians, total — Brazil, by year Brazil All countries CSV XLSX
Year people Change Change, %
2024 529,672 +32,070 +6.44%
2023 497,602
2021 459,080
2019 487,659
2017 450,010
2013 378,354
2011 365,231
1999 236,668 +20,036 +9.25%
1998 216,632 +757 +0.35%
1997 215,875 +9,200 +4.45%
1996 206,675 +8,196 +4.13%
1995 198,479 +7,925 +4.16%
1994 190,554 +7,486 +4.09%
1993 183,068 +7,220 +4.11%
1992 175,848
1990 161,880

South America, 2024

The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages

About the indicator

The number of practicing physicians, from the WHO Global Health Observatory. The World Bank republishes only the density — physicians per thousand people — so the absolute number is available directly from WHO alone. Physicians of all specialties are counted, general practitioners and specialists included.

Important: The definition of a practicing physician differs across national registers: some countries include those working in administration and research. Physicians per thousand people is a separate indicator and suits comparison between countries better.

Source: Global Health Observatory (WHO), license CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.