developing· Health· Updated 16:24

Israel Unveils Long-Term Plan to Boost Medical Specialist Numbers

The Ministry of Health has established Israel's first national targets for specialist doctors by 2035, aiming to significantly increase the medical workforce and address severe regional and field-specific disparities. Developed by an advisory committee chaired by Ministry Director General Moshe Bar Siman Tov, the plan is designed to align physician training with national healthcare needs and prevent the concentration of specialists in central Israel.

7 newsrooms · 2 languages · since 15:08

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What happened

01The Ministry of Health has established Israel's first national targets for specialist doctors by 2035 to address regional and specialty shortages.
02The total number of doctors in Israel is projected to increase 42% to 53,000 by 2035, raising the per capita ratio above the OECD average.
03The number of active specialist physicians is expected to surge by 57%, growing from approximately 20,300 to 32,000 within the decade.
04Domestic medical school enrollment has doubled to 1,650 annually, with a target of reaching 2,000 students by 2030.
05The plan targets critical shortages in peripheral areas, noting the southern district currently has only 38% of its 2035 neurology target.
06Specific targets are set for key fields, including internal medicine (6,100 specialists), family medicine (4,530), and pediatrics (4,030).
07The Ministry of Health will use financial incentives and study funding to direct doctors toward underserved regions and high-demand specialties.
08The workforce targets are incorporated into the 2025 Arrangements Law, though officials note the public will not feel immediate effects.

Under the new projections, the total number of doctors in Israel is expected to grow by 42% over the next decade, rising from approximately 37,000 to 53,000. This will increase the ratio of doctors per 1,000 people from 3.6 to 4.2, surpassing the OECD average of 3.9. Concurrently, the number of active specialists is projected to surge by 57%, growing from about 20,300 to 32,000, which represents a 31% increase in specialists per capita.

To support this growth, Israel has doubled domestic medical school enrollment to 1,650 annually, with a target of 2,000 students by 2030, while reducing reliance on overseas graduates. The plan sets specific targets for high-priority fields, including internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, surgery, psychiatry, oncology, and neurology. The Ministry will utilize financial incentives, such as funding medical studies in exchange for service, to encourage doctors to work in underserved areas and high-demand specialties.

Significant geographic imbalances currently exist, particularly in peripheral areas. For example, the neurology sector in the southern district currently stands at only 38% of its 2035 target, compared to 85% in the central district. While these changes have been incorporated into the 2025 Arrangements Law, Bar Siman Tov acknowledged that the public will not feel the immediate impact on patient access.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 6 newsrooms. Updated 16:06