Physicians, total in South Africa in 2024 — 49,051 people. Ranked 13 in the world out of 72. Since 2004, the indicator has risen by 40.8%.
2004–2024 · people
How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: South Africa
| Year | people | Change | Change, % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 49,051 | −2,528 | −4.9% |
| 2023 | 51,579 | +2,046 | +4.13% |
| 2022 | 49,533 | +1,512 | +3.15% |
| 2021 | 48,021 | +4,120 | +9.38% |
| 2020 | 43,901 | −2,492 | −5.37% |
| 2019 | 46,393 | +2,890 | +6.64% |
| 2018 | 43,503 | −1,150 | −2.58% |
| 2017 | 44,653 | +1,512 | +3.5% |
| 2016 | 43,141 | −136 | −0.31% |
| 2015 | 43,277 | +2,145 | +5.21% |
| 2014 | 41,132 | +1,285 | +3.22% |
| 2013 | 39,847 | +1,403 | +3.65% |
| 2012 | 38,444 | +861 | +2.29% |
| 2011 | 37,583 | +671 | +1.82% |
| 2010 | 36,912 | +1,205 | +3.37% |
| 2009 | 35,707 | +1,020 | +2.94% |
| 2008 | 34,687 | +363 | +1.06% |
| 2007 | 34,324 | — | — |
| 2004 | 34,829 | — | — |
The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages
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.
The number of physicians per 1,000 people.
Healthcare Nurses and midwives, totalHow many nurses and midwives work in a country — usually three times as many as physicians.
Healthcare Nurses and midwives per 1,000 peopleHow many nurses and midwives there are per 1,000 people.
Healthcare Hospital beds per 1,000 peopleThe number of hospital beds per 1,000 people — the capacity of inpatient care.
