Iceland | Physicians (per 1,000 people)

Physicians include generalist and specialist medical practitioners. Development relevance: The WHO estimates that at least 2.5 medical staff (physicians, nurses and midwives) per 1,000 people are needed to provide adequate coverage with primary care interventions (WHO, World Health Report 2006). Limitations and exceptions: The WHO compiles data from household and labor force surveys, censuses, and administrative records. Data comparability is limited by differences in definitions and training of medical personnel varies. In addition, human resources tend to be concentrated in urban areas, so that average densities do not provide a full picture of health personnel available to the entire population. Statistical concept and methodology: Health systems - the combined arrangements of institutions and actions whose primary purpose is to promote, restore, or maintain health (World Health Organization, World Health Report 2000) - are increasingly being recognized as key to combating disease and improving the health status of populations. The World Bank's Healthy Development: Strategy for Health, Nutrition, and Population Results emphasizes the need to strengthen health systems, which are weak in many countries, in order to increase the effectiveness of programs aimed at reducing specific diseases and further reduce morbidity and mortality. To evaluate health systems, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that key components - such as financing, service delivery, workforce, governance, and information - be monitored using several key indicators. The data are a subset of the key indicators. Monitoring health systems allows the effectiveness, efficiency, and equity of different health system models to be compared. Health system data also help identify weaknesses and strengths and areas that need investment, such as additional health facilities, better health information systems, or better trained human resources. Data on health worker (physicians, nurses and midwives, and community health workers) density show the availability of medical personnel.
Publisher
The World Bank
Origin
Republic of Iceland
Records
63
Source
Iceland | Physicians (per 1,000 people)
year value
1960 1.2
1961 1.2
1962 1.2
1963 1.2
1964 1.2
1965 1.2
1966 1.2
1967 1.2
1968 1.3
1969 1.3
1970 1.4
1971 1.5
1972 1.6
1973 1.6
1974 1.7
1975 1.8
1976 1.9
1977 1.9
1978 2
1979 2
1980 2.1
1981 2.2
1982 2.3
1983 2.3
1984 2.4
1985 2.6
1986 2.6
1987 2.7
1988 2.7
1989 2.8
1990 2.847
1991 2.845
1992 2.951
1993 2.952
1994 2.994
1995 3.022
1996 3.118
1997 3.257
1998 3.314
1999 3.379
2000 3.439
2001 3.471
2002 3.575
2003 3.613
2004 3.612
2005 3.609
2006 3.601
2007 3.61
2008 3.639
2009 3.645
2010 3.588
2011 3.501
2012 3.558
2013 3.605
2014 3.642
2015 3.772
2016 3.849
2017 3.871
2018 3.891
2019 3.891
2020
2021
2022

Iceland | Physicians (per 1,000 people)

Physicians include generalist and specialist medical practitioners. Development relevance: The WHO estimates that at least 2.5 medical staff (physicians, nurses and midwives) per 1,000 people are needed to provide adequate coverage with primary care interventions (WHO, World Health Report 2006). Limitations and exceptions: The WHO compiles data from household and labor force surveys, censuses, and administrative records. Data comparability is limited by differences in definitions and training of medical personnel varies. In addition, human resources tend to be concentrated in urban areas, so that average densities do not provide a full picture of health personnel available to the entire population. Statistical concept and methodology: Health systems - the combined arrangements of institutions and actions whose primary purpose is to promote, restore, or maintain health (World Health Organization, World Health Report 2000) - are increasingly being recognized as key to combating disease and improving the health status of populations. The World Bank's Healthy Development: Strategy for Health, Nutrition, and Population Results emphasizes the need to strengthen health systems, which are weak in many countries, in order to increase the effectiveness of programs aimed at reducing specific diseases and further reduce morbidity and mortality. To evaluate health systems, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that key components - such as financing, service delivery, workforce, governance, and information - be monitored using several key indicators. The data are a subset of the key indicators. Monitoring health systems allows the effectiveness, efficiency, and equity of different health system models to be compared. Health system data also help identify weaknesses and strengths and areas that need investment, such as additional health facilities, better health information systems, or better trained human resources. Data on health worker (physicians, nurses and midwives, and community health workers) density show the availability of medical personnel.
Publisher
The World Bank
Origin
Republic of Iceland
Records
63
Source