Colombia ranked 41st out of 44 OECD countries in practicing physicians per 1,000 inhabitants in 2023, with 2.5 doctors per 1,000 people, according to the OECD's Health at a Glance 2025 report. This is among the lowest figures in the group, surpassed only by Turkey, Brazil, and Peru, though it marks progress from 2013.
The OECD's Health at a Glance 2025 report shows Colombia had 2.5 practicing physicians per 1,000 inhabitants in 2023, placing it 41st out of 44 countries analyzed. This falls below the OECD average of 3.9 per 1,000, up from 3.3 in 2013. Colombia improved from lower levels in 2013 but trails leaders like Greece, Portugal, Austria, Italy, and Norway, all with five or more doctors per 1,000.
The OECD notes Greece and Portugal figures include all licensed physicians, not just active ones, yet the gap with Colombia remains wide. Nations such as Japan, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, and the United States also fall below the OECD average. Rising physician numbers have not eased shortage concerns, as demand grows with population aging.
Drivers of growth include more medical graduates, foreign-trained doctors, and older professionals extending careers. Average working hours have declined, tempering effective availability. Colombia and others face uneven distribution, with concentrations in major cities.
The OECD highlights Latin American contrasts and persistent gaps in health workforce access compared to developed economies.
