Portugal 2024 medical workforce: 46,131 doctors, 65% women, 33% under 35

In 2024 Portugal had 46,131 doctors in active practice. Women comprised 65% of the workforce and 32.9% of doctors were under 35 years old, while 7.3% were over 65. Specialists accounted for 86.8% of doctors, placing Portugal third in the European Union after Greece and Bulgaria.

Pediatrics was the most represented specialty at 9% of specialist doctors. The Institute of National Statistics (INE) also reported 12,796 active dental physicians, a three‑fold increase since 2002. Foreign medical staff rose to 9.5% in 2025, led by Brazilian (53.6%), Italian (17.5%) and Spanish (6.0%) nationals. The dentist‑to‑population ratio reached 1.12 per 1,000 residents, with the highest rates in the Porto metropolitan area and Viseu Dão Lafões.