👨‍⚕️ Doctor Density in Georgia

Doctor Density in Georgia

The Doctor Density indicator measures the number of physicians per 1,000 inhabitants as a proxy for staffing quality in healthcare. With a score of 86/100, a raw value of 5.1 doctors per 1,000 inhabitants, and world rank 5 out of 231, Georgia is among the most doctor-rich countries in the world – a legacy of the Soviet healthcare system that invested heavily in medical education.

Historical Background: Soviet Legacy

Georgia's extremely high doctor density is no accident, but a structural inheritance of the Soviet era: the USSR systematically produced large numbers of doctors, often in specialised medical colleges. With independence in 1991, this reservoir remained intact – even though many doctors have emigrated since (especially to the United States, Canada, and Israel). The remaining density is nevertheless remarkably high. Georgia shares this phenomenon with other post-Soviet countries like Russia and Belarus, as well as Western European countries like Greece and Portugal, which also historically have high doctor densities.

What the Number Means – and What It Doesn't

A doctor density of 5.1 per 1,000 inhabitants exceeds the United Kingdom (3.0), Australia (3.9), and Canada (2.8), and is close to Portugal. Important: doctor density does not measure quality. Georgia has many registered physicians, but:

• A significant proportion is not actively practicing in rural regions or works part-time
• Salary levels in the public sector are very low (approx. 400–800 USD/month), driving qualified staff into the private sector or abroad
• Depth of specialisation and continuing education standards are unevenly distributed

Regional Distribution

Most active doctors are concentrated in Tbilisi, particularly in the private sector. Per-capita specialist density in Tbilisi is at Eastern European levels; in the regions of Svaneti, Racha, or Tusheti, however, the nearest specialists can be hours away.

Comparison

• Cuba (96), Monaco (93), Greece (91): Highest absolute densities worldwide
• Australia (76), Portugal (86), Georgia (86): Above developed-world average
• United Kingdom (64), Norway (86): Developed-country comparison

Conclusion: A doctor density of 86/100 is a pronounced strength of Georgia on paper. For expats in Tbilisi, this translates into short appointment waiting times and accessibility to specialists. In rural regions, this strength applies considerably less.

This article was created on April 13, 2026