10 Countries Where Doctors Are Needed Today

If you’re tired of your CV being rejected or still working under a contract for a limited period of time, check out our list of 10 countries where doctors are needed today. They offer a warm welcome to healthcare professionals.

We’ll start by explaining that there are two types of countries with the highest demand for doctors. The first category comprises undeveloped countries which are in lack of professional medical staff due to several reasons. According to our research, one of them may be that there aren’t enough graduates from medical studies. The other, a more common one, is that the newly medical graduates are opting for a career abroad and sending their CV to highly developed countries in need of foreign doctors. There are several motives for such decisions. Firstly, there is the higher standard of living in foreign countries. Secondly, there are few vacant positions for doctors in urban areas. Competition is huge in big cities and towns, while the number of doctors in rural areas is scarce.

Talking about the rural areas, highly developed countries that are looking for doctors also face similar challenges with their medical staff. Very few physicians prefer working in a village to working in a metropole. For that reason, there is a huge shortage of doctors, and they are offering visas to foreign physicians. Just use your imagination. Try to picture a village in sub-Saharan Africa. Think about the air conditioning and medical supplies. The proximity of the nearest pharmacy. Next, imagine a village at the foot of the mountain, somewhere in Europe. For instance, Germany. Try to picture the roads, shops and your office. Do you see the difference? Of course, you do. That’s why physicians from the Third World countries are constantly on the lookout for the best country for doctors to immigrate.

By the way, if you are a medical professional from India, you may wish to know which are the countries accepting Indian medical degrees. Also, this list of highest paying countries for doctors can give you some ideas for your next travel destination.

Now let’s talk about the methodology of our research. First, we checked the situation in the European countries at Skills Panorama, a website with statistical data on medical doctors shortage, to see which could be good candidates for it. Some of our other initial resources included Malaysian Digest, CNN, Forbes, and NCBI. Finally, we turned to Career Jet to see whether those countries are still without enough doctors. Also, Politico gave us useful information on the consequences of a recent departure.

We are positive you are going to find some of these are the best countries for doctors to practice. What we are absolutely sure about is that you have great chances of getting a job in these 10 countries where doctors are needed today. They are listed from the lowest to the highest demand at the moment. Please bear in mind that the situation is changing on a daily basis. However, due to our initial research in which we chose the countries which have been in high demand for medical professionals for years, and according to some forecasts, the trend will certainly continue.

10. Germany

Number of doctors needed: 58

Perhaps the number seems modest, but let us tell you Germany faces a huge shortage of doctors. The predicted gap of up to 106,000 physicians in 2030 should be enough to motivate you to take up a German course.

9. Belgium

Number of doctors needed: 64

The land of waffles is still looking for some skilled medical professionals in 2017.

8. Pakistan

Number of doctors needed: 139

Islamabad Capital Hospital (ICH) is currently under great pressure to employ new staff as soon as possible.

7. Canada

Number of doctors needed: 148

We are continuing our list of countries where doctors are needed today with Canada that is one of the best countries to immigrate to. If you aren’t afraid of getting a little cold, just go ahead.

6. South Africa

Number of doctors needed: 287

How many doctors are in Africa? The answer is: not enough. World Health Organisation says over 44% of WHO’s Member States claim to have less than 1 physician per 1,000 population.

5. UAE

Number of doctors needed: 356

United Arab Emirates is world renowned for being one of the most popular countries for foreign medical workers and luckily for you, it’s one of 10 countries where doctors are needed today.

4. Malaysia

Number of doctors needed: 457

Last year there were less than a 100 cardiologists for 150,000 patients per year. The situation is alarming, so there’s your chance.

3. The Philippines

Number of doctors needed: 478

We have already named a lot of reasons why doctors are needed in our article on 10 Most in Demand Doctor Specialties in the Philippines. The Filipinos are continuously looking for job opportunities outside the borders.

2. The UK

Number of doctors needed: 2,247

This could be the best country for doctors in Europe. Brexit has brought on many changes, and one of them is doctors’ shortage. Doctors are in high demand, especially heart surgeons and  children’s heart doctors.

1. The USA

Number of doctors needed: 16,824

Who would’ve thought the USA is one of 10 countries where doctors are needed today! Just look at those numbers. The forecast is the number is going to increase even more.  Between 61,700 and 94,700 doctors will be lacking by year 2025. Everybody likes being highly desired and appreciated, so it seems the United States is the best place to be a doctor in the world!