Need care in Europe? Finding the right doctor can make all the difference in your recovery, and the latest European doctor statistics reveal how access varies from country to country.
Here, we’re discussing recent data to explore how many doctors practice across Europe, which countries have the highest physician density, and where patients like you may face barriers to care.
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Doctors in Europe: At A Glance
How many doctors are there in the EU?
As of 2023, the EU had 1.98 million practicing physicians.
How many doctors are there per 1,000 people in Europe?
The EU had an average of 4.2 doctors per 1,000 people in 2022.
How has physician density changed over time in Europe?
Physician density in Europe increased from 3.4 doctors per 1,000 people in 2010 to 4.2 doctors per 1,000 people in 2022.
Doctors Per Capita by Country
Which European countries have the most doctors per capita?
In 2023, the following European countries had the most doctors per 100,000 people:
- Austria: 551
- Italy and Cyprus: 535 each
Which European countries have the fewest doctors per capita?
In 2023, the following European countries had the fewest doctors per 100,000 people:
- Finland: 288
- Latvia: 336 each
How many physicians are there per 1,000 people by country?
The top EU countries for physicians per 1,000 people in 2023 were:
- Austria: 5.51
- Italy: 5.35
- Cyprus: 5.35
- Germany: 4.66
- Bulgaria: 4.63
- Lithuania: 4.62
- Denmark: 4.53
- Spain: 4.39
- Czechia: 4.22
- Croatia: 4.01
What is the doctor-to-patient ratio in Europe?
The EU average doctor density was about 1 doctor for every 238 people in 2022, based on 4.2 doctors per 1,000 residents.
Practicing Physicians in the EU
Which EU countries have the highest number of practicing physicians?
In 2023, the EU countries with the highest total numbers of practicing physicians were:
- Germany: 388,343
- Italy: 315,720
- France: 266,380
- Spain: 212,201
Which EU countries have the lowest number of practicing physicians?
In 2023, the EU countries with the lowest total numbers of practicing physicians were:
- Malta: 2,515
- Luxembourg: 2,668
- Cyprus: 5,119
- Latvia: 6,309
How many practicing physicians are there per 100,000 people in the EU?
The EU averaged about 420 practicing physicians per 100,000 people in 2022.
How has the number of practicing physicians in the EU changed over time?
The number of practicing physicians in the EU grew from about 1.65 million in 2010 to 1.83 million in 2022, and an estimated 1.98 million physicians in 2023.
Doctors by Specialty in Europe
How many general practitioners are there in Europe?
In 2023, there were approximately 500,200 general practitioners across the EU, excluding Slovakia.
What percentage of doctors in Europe are general practitioners?
About 20% of doctors in EU countries were general practitioners in 2022.
What percentage of doctors in Europe are specialists?
About 67% of doctors in EU countries were specialists in 2022, meaning roughly 2 out of every 3 physicians worked in a medical specialty.
Which European countries have the most general practitioners per capita?
In 2023, Ireland had the most general practitioners per capita in Europe, with 206 practicing generalists per 100,000 people.
Which European countries have the most specialists per capita?
In 2023, Italy had the most medical specialists per capita in Europe, with 224 specialists per 100,000 people.
Bulgaria followed with 203 specialists per 100,000 people.
Doctor Workforce Demographics in Europe
What percentage of doctors in Europe are women?
Women made up 52.9% of physicians in the EU in 2022.
Which European countries have the highest share of female doctors?
In 2023, the European countries with the highest share of female doctors were:
- Latvia: 74.3%
- Estonia: 72.7%
Is Europe’s doctor workforce getting older?
Yes. In 2023, about one-third of all doctors in the EU were 55 or older, highlighting the aging physician workforce across Europe.
Which European countries have the oldest physician workforces?
In 2023, Bulgaria had the oldest physician workforce in Europe, with 54.5% of doctors age 55 or older
Doctors Compared With Other Healthcare Workers
How does the number of doctors compare with the number of nurses in Europe?
In 2022, the EU had 8.4 nurses per 1,000 people and 4.2 doctors per 1,000 people, or about two nurses for every doctor.
How many physiotherapists are there in the EU?
In 2021, there were about 611,000 physiotherapists working in the EU, equal to 136.7 physiotherapists per 100,000 people.
How does the healthcare workforce vary across European countries?
The healthcare workforce varies widely across Europe: in 2023, physician density ranged from 288 doctors per 100,000 people in Finland to 551 doctors per 100,000 people in Austria.
In 2022, nurse density was highest in Finland, Ireland, and Germany, each with at least 12 nurses per 1,000 people.
Europe Compared With Other Regions
How does Europe compare with other regions in doctors per capita?
Europe has one of the highest doctor-to-population ratios in the world. Here’s how Europe compares to other countries:
- European Union: 4.2 physicians per 1,000 people
- Europe & Central Asia: 3.9 per 1,000
- North America: 3.6 per 1,000
- OECD average: 3.4 per 1,000
- Worldwide average: 1.9 per 1,000
How does Europe compare with the United States in doctors per capita?
Europe had more doctors per capita than the United States in 2022:
- Europe: 4.2 physicians per 1,000 people
- United States: 3.7 physicians per 1,000 people
How does Europe compare with OECD countries in physician density?
The EU had a higher physician density than the OECD average in 2022, with 4.2 doctors per 1,000 people compared to 3.4 doctors per 1,000 people across OECD countries.
Reach Care Across Borders with REVA
When the right doctor or specialist isn’t available nearby, REVA connects you with the most reputable care care across Europe and around the world.
Our air ambulance teams provide attentive, ICU-level care throughout the journey, coordinating a safe, efficient transfer from takeoff to handoff at the receiving facility.
Need to arrange an air ambulance? Contact REVA anytime, day or night, to speak with our team.
Sources
Eurostat. “Healthcare personnel statistics – physicians.” September 2025.
OECD. “Health at a Glance: Europe 2024.” November 18, 2024.
World Bank Group. “Physicians (per 1,000 people).”