In 2023, the number of physicians licensed to practice in the US stood at approximately 1.242 million. The forecast from 2024 to 2028 shows a steady year-on-year increase: 1.259 million (2024), 1.276 million (2025), 1.294 million (2026), 1.311 million (2027), and 1.327 million (2028). This represents a consistent annual growth rate of about 1.4% over the five-year period, suggesting a gradual rise in the physician workforce.
Future trends to watch for include potential impacts from changes in healthcare policies, technological advancements such as telemedicine, and shifts in medical school enrollment, all of which could influence the supply of physicians further.
