Physicians, total — all countries

Physicians, total — Nigeria

Physicians, total in Nigeria in 2024 — 96,321 people. Ranked 7 in the world out of 72. Since 2003, the indicator has risen by 175.8%.

2024 96,321 people +11.17% vs 2023
World rank 7of 72
Period maximum 96,321 people2024
Period minimum 34,923 people2003

Trend over time

2003–2024 · people

Physicians, total — Nigeria, 2003–202420,00040,00060,00080,000100,000200320062009201220152018202120242003: 34,923 people2005: 39,210 people2006: 49,612 people2007: 55,376 people2008: 56,526 people2009: 58,363 people2013: 65,759 people2016: 83,565 people2018: 74,543 people2019: 74,543 people2021: 84,277 people2022: 86,181 people2023: 86,642 people2024: 96,321 people
Change over the period: +61,398 (+175.81%) Average annual rate: 4.95 %

Comparison, 2024

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Nigeria

Nigeria 96,321 people
Sub-Saharan Africa computed 279,997 people
Physicians, total — Nigeria, by year Nigeria All countries CSV XLSX
Year people Change Change, %
2024 96,321 +9,679 +11.17%
2023 86,642 +461 +0.53%
2022 86,181 +1,904 +2.26%
2021 84,277
2019 74,543 +0 +0%
2018 74,543
2016 83,565
2013 65,759
2009 58,363 +1,837 +3.25%
2008 56,526 +1,150 +2.08%
2007 55,376 +5,764 +11.62%
2006 49,612 +10,402 +26.53%
2005 39,210
2003 34,923

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.