The number of surgery specialists in South Korea has shown strong growth from 2013 to the present in 2023, with the figure standing at 39.15 thousand persons. Over the years, the growth rate has slightly decelerated, with the year-on-year variation of the last two years at 3.53% in 2022 and 3.3% in 2023, compared to earlier years. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the last five years leading up to 2023 is 2.96%. Looking ahead, the forecasted data indicates a continued rise, projecting the number of specialists to reach 45.21 thousand by 2028, albeit at a slightly lower forecasted CAGR of 2.29% over the next five years.

Future trends to watch for include:

Advances in medical technology which may affect the demand for surgeons.
Changes in healthcare policy that could impact the number of medical professionals entering the field.
Potential shifts in population demographics affecting healthcare service needs.