Physicians, total — all countries

Physicians, total — United States

Physicians, total in the United States in 2022 — 906,427 people. Ranked 3 in the world out of 138. Since 1985, the indicator has risen by 72.6%.

2022 906,427 people +2.33% vs 2021
World rank 3of 138
Period maximum 906,427 people2022
Period minimum 525,070 people1985

Trend over time

1985–2022 · people

Physicians, total — United States, 1985–2022500,000600,000700,000800,000900,0001M19851989199319972001200520092013201720211985: 525,070 people1993: 550,448 people1994: 562,456 people1995: 582,131 people1996: 598,924 people1997: 620,631 people1998: 621,736 people1999: 625,334 people2000: 647,430 people2001: 668,939 people2002: 674,824 people2003: 691,873 people2004: 700,287 people2005: 718,473 people2006: 723,118 people2007: 732,234 people2008: 740,867 people2009: 749,566 people2010: 752,572 people2011: 767,782 people2012: 784,633 people2013: 809,845 people2014: 820,251 people2015: 827,261 people2016: 835,987 people2017: 849,126 people2018: 851,641 people2019: 866,316 people2020: 872,624 people2021: 885,803 people2022: 906,427 people
Change over the period: +381,357 (+72.63%) Average annual rate: 1.49 %
Physicians, total — United States, by year United States All countries CSV XLSX
Year people Change Change, %
2022 906,427 +20,624 +2.33%
2021 885,803 +13,179 +1.51%
2020 872,624 +6,308 +0.73%
2019 866,316 +14,675 +1.72%
2018 851,641 +2,515 +0.3%
2017 849,126 +13,139 +1.57%
2016 835,987 +8,726 +1.05%
2015 827,261 +7,010 +0.85%
2014 820,251 +10,406 +1.28%
2013 809,845 +25,212 +3.21%
2012 784,633 +16,851 +2.19%
2011 767,782 +15,210 +2.02%
2010 752,572 +3,006 +0.4%
2009 749,566 +8,699 +1.17%
2008 740,867 +8,633 +1.18%
2007 732,234 +9,116 +1.26%
2006 723,118 +4,645 +0.65%
2005 718,473 +18,186 +2.6%
2004 700,287 +8,414 +1.22%
2003 691,873 +17,049 +2.53%
2002 674,824 +5,885 +0.88%
2001 668,939 +21,509 +3.32%
2000 647,430 +22,096 +3.53%
1999 625,334 +3,598 +0.58%
1998 621,736 +1,105 +0.18%
1997 620,631 +21,707 +3.62%
1996 598,924 +16,793 +2.88%
1995 582,131 +19,675 +3.5%
1994 562,456 +12,008 +2.18%
1993 550,448
1985 525,070

Northern America, 2022

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

US United States 906,427 CA Canada 109,239

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.