While the total number of doctors in Greece is increasing, the number of internists remains stagnant (4,618 in 2024 from 4,617 in 2018), according to ELSTAT data cited by Kathimerini. Internal medicine is not preferred as a specialty by young doctors because, among other reasons, it involves a heavy workload in the National Health System (e.g. consecutive on-call shifts), while doctors in the public system are paid relatively low salaries. As a result, many young doctors who want the specialty pursue it abroad.
In Greece, there are 67.2 doctors per 10,000 residents, but there is inequality within the country, for example 86.3 per 10,000 in Attica and 34 per 10,000 in Central Greece.
Nevertheless, during the same period (2018–2024), some specialties saw an increase. Specifically, general practitioners increased by 13.5%, pediatricians by 7.9%, cardiologists by 6.5% and gynecologists by 3%, while a decrease of 6.4% was recorded among microbiologists.
Doctors in Greece in 2024 numbered 69,937, up 1.5% from 2023. This means that on average there are 67.2 doctors per 10,000 residents, but significant inequality is recorded between regions. Specifically, while Attica has a very high concentration of doctors, with 86.3 doctors per 10,000 residents, in Western Macedonia the ratio is 37.5 per 10,000, in the North Aegean 37.1 per 10,000 and in Central Greece 34 per 10,000.
Source: Kathimerini
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