Israel Faces Doctor Shortage Despite Increased Medical School Admissions

Israel is experiencing a growing interest in medical studies, with the number of accepted students rising significantly in recent years. In 2025, approximately 1,200 students were accepted, a figure that reached 1,446 in the past year. This increase aims to address a long-standing shortage of medical professionals in the country. However, admission to medical school remains highly competitive, requiring high psychometric scores, strong academic records, and challenging personal interviews.

To meet the demand, new medical programs have been established. Ariel University recently received final approval for a six-year program, with admission criteria including a psychometric score of at least 680 and a minimum average of 80 in advanced mathematics. Haifa University and the Weizmann Institute of Science also opened new medical schools approximately 18 months ago. Haifa offers a six-year program with tuition fees around NIS 15,000-16,000, while the Weizmann Institute offers a tuition-free, seven-and-a-half-year program for those with relevant bachelor's degrees.

Despite these efforts, challenges persist. A significant number of Israeli students pursue medical education abroad due to stringent local admission requirements. However, a 2019 reform has disqualified many who studied at unaccredited institutions from taking the Israeli medical licensing exam, leaving thousands unable to practice in Israel. Furthermore, an estimated 1,300 experienced doctors have left Israel between 2023 and 2025, exacerbating the workforce deficit, particularly in specialized fields like surgery and oncology.

Salaries for doctors in Israel vary widely. While the average annual income for a hospital doctor was reported as NIS 772,000 in 2023, this figure is contested, with some arguing it represents only a fraction of physicians. Residents earn an average of NIS 23,000 per month for demanding shifts, while interns receive NIS 10,700. Experienced specialists can earn significantly more, especially in private practice, with some surgical specialties like plastic surgery reporting annual incomes exceeding NIS 1.1 million. However, fields like pediatrics and psychiatry offer considerably lower incomes.

Efforts to improve working conditions, such as reducing on-call shifts in peripheral hospitals from 26 to 21 hours, have shown some positive impact but are not yet nationwide. Experts like Professor Ido Wolff from Tel Aviv University and Dr. Eran Dotan, chairman of the "Marsham" residents' organization, believe the medical profession remains a fulfilling career despite the challenges, emphasizing the sense of purpose and long-term career prospects.