Lebanon and Turkey Face Doctor Exodus Amid Economic Crises

Lebanon has been experiencing a significant emigration of medical professionals since 2019, driven by a severe economic crisis that has led to widespread departures of specialists. Thousands of doctors, engineers, academics, programmers, and entrepreneurs have left, not out of a desire for foreign life, but due to a loss of faith in building a stable future at home. The outflow of doctors and nurses has continued over the past year, with estimates suggesting around 5,000 doctors have left since 2019, primarily heading to Europe, the United States, and Canada. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 40% of practicing doctors and 30% of nurses have left Lebanon or are working abroad since October 2019.

The exodus is attributed to multiple factors, including the economic collapse resulting in drastically reduced salaries, a deteriorating healthcare system plagued by shortages of equipment and medicine, overwhelming hospital workloads, and the closure of departments and facilities. Political instability, security concerns, difficult working conditions, and burnout, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, have also contributed. Despite these challenges, some reports indicate a "reverse migration" of doctors returning to Lebanon due to difficulties adapting abroad and a desire to be closer to home.

Turkey is also grappling with a severe healthcare crisis fueled by a shortage of doctors and their increasing emigration. In March 2025, data from the Turkish Medical Association indicated an unprecedented rate of emigration requests, with around eight doctors daily seeking "good standing certificates" required for medical practice abroad. In 2023, a record 3,025 doctors applied for these certificates, up from 2,685 in 2022. The primary drivers are an unstable work environment, low wages compared to developed countries, and rising violence against medical professionals.

Turkish doctors are increasingly choosing Germany, Britain, and Canada for their careers, leading to concerns about the strain on the remaining healthcare system and a potential decline in the quality of medical services. Reports from four years ago highlighted the impact of economic decline, high inflation, and long working hours pushing doctors abroad, with some experiencing income drops to near minimum wage levels. Despite these issues, Istanbul Medeniyet University has offered support to medical students from Gaza, allowing them to continue their studies amidst the conflict.

In parallel, Israel has also seen a significant departure of doctors, with nearly 1,400 leaving over three years, comparable to the staff of a large hospital. A survey indicated that 50% of young doctors in Israel are planning to leave the country.