UK’s number of doctors per capita is one of lowest in Europe

Study of leading economies says there are just 2.8 doctors per 1,000 people, with only Poland worse off

The UK has the second lowest number of doctors in leading European nations relative to its population, according to research for the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

With 2.8 doctors per 1,000 people, compared with an average of 3.5 doctors across the OECD, the UK shortage is second only to Poland.

This shortfall of doctors persists despite the OECD research showing that British GPs and specialists in the UK earn more than three times the average national salary.

The OECD report, which examined data between 2000 and 2017, also highlighted the UK’s reliance on foreign-trained medics, with 28.7% of British doctors qualifying abroad, the fifth highest figure in Europe. At 15%, the UK had the second highest proportion of nurses trained abroad, after Switzerland.