Physicians, total — all countries

Physicians, total — Zambia

Physicians, total in Zambia in 2024 — 3,471 people. Ranked 35 in the world out of 72. Since 2004, the indicator has risen by 131.6%.

2024 3,471 people +7.06% vs 2023
World rank 35of 72
Period maximum 6,531 people2022
Period minimum 646 people2005

Trend over time

2004–2024 · people

Physicians, total — Zambia, 2004–202402,0004,0006,0008,000200420062008201020122014201620182020202220242004: 1,499 people2005: 646 people2006: 649 people2008: 795 people2009: 801 people2010: 836 people2016: 1,514 people2018: 4,021 people2019: 4,386 people2020: 4,818 people2021: 5,773 people2022: 6,531 people2023: 3,242 people2024: 3,471 people
Change over the period: +1,972 (+131.55%) Average annual rate: 4.29 %

Comparison, 2024

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

Zambia 3,471 people
Sub-Saharan Africa computed 279,997 people
Eastern Africa computed 79,319 people
Physicians, total — Zambia, by year Zambia All countries CSV XLSX
Year people Change Change, %
2024 3,471 +229 +7.06%
2023 3,242 −3,289 −50.36%
2022 6,531 +758 +13.13%
2021 5,773 +955 +19.82%
2020 4,818 +432 +9.85%
2019 4,386 +365 +9.08%
2018 4,021
2016 1,514
2010 836 +35 +4.37%
2009 801 +6 +0.75%
2008 795
2006 649 +3 +0.46%
2005 646 −853 −56.9%
2004 1,499

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.