Israel Plans Major Increase in Doctors by 2035

Israel's Ministry of Health has unveiled its first long-term national targets for specialist physicians, aiming to significantly boost the number of doctors and specialists by 2035. The plan addresses not only the total number of specialists needed but also specifies which medical fields and geographical areas require increased staffing.

According to Ministry of Health projections, the total number of doctors in Israel is expected to rise from approximately 37,000 to 53,000 over the next decade, a 42% increase. Concurrently, the number of specialists is projected to grow from about 20,300 to 32,000, a 57% surge. These increases, factoring in population growth, are expected to raise the ratio of doctors per 1,000 people by 16% and specialists per capita by 31%. The Ministry anticipates this could narrow, or even surpass, the current gap with the OECD average of 3.9 doctors per 1,000 residents.

The initiative is driven by the Advisory Committee for Medical Manpower Planning, established in January 2025 under the direction of Ministry of Health Director General Moshe Bar Siman Tov. This committee, comprising 22 representatives from key health organizations, aims to create a systematic, long-term approach to medical workforce planning. The need for such planning is underscored by a sharp rise in medical students in Israel, with enrollment increasing from 820 in 2020 to 1,448 in 2025, and projected to reach 2,000 by 2030. Conversely, a reform is expected to reduce the number of new doctors graduating from foreign institutions not meeting Israeli standards.

The Ministry emphasizes that simply increasing the number of doctors is insufficient; strategic allocation across specialties is crucial. Without this, the projected growth may not address areas with the greatest need. The committee has categorized medical specialties into four groups, recommending increases of 35%, 25%, or 15% in specialists per capita by 2035, or maintaining current levels, based on projected needs. For example, the plan aims to increase active specialists in obstetrics and gynecology by 25% relative to 2029 levels, reaching approximately 2,550 specialists, or 21 per 100,000 people.

A significant component of the plan addresses geographical disparities. The goal is to achieve a uniform ratio of specialists per capita across all regions, acknowledging current significant differences. For instance, the Southern District has only 38% of its 2035 neurology specialist target, while the Central District is already at 85%. The Ministry warns that without targeted geographical allocation, new specialists might concentrate in major hospitals and central Israel, potentially limiting access for residents in peripheral areas. Demographic shifts, including population growth and aging, are also driving the increased demand for medical services and a changing mix of required specialties.