The number of medical professionals in Portugal has more than doubled.

The number of medical professionals in Portugal has more than doubled.

Portugal has witnessed a significant expansion in its healthcare workforce over the past few decades, with notable increases in the number of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.

• Doctors: The number of resident doctors in Portugal has more than doubled since 1991, reaching 63,965 in 2024. However, a quarter of these professionals are over 65 years old, indicating an aging workforce [2]. A substantial portion of doctors work in tertiary hospitals, particularly those aged between 30 and 40 years [4].
• Nurses: On average, there are eight nurses per 1,000 inhabitants nationally, with the Coimbra region having the highest density at 14.6 per 1,000. Municipalities with the highest nurse-to-population ratios are mainly district capitals like Coimbra (25.5), Portalegre (20.3), and others, while some rural municipalities have fewer than 2 nurses per 1,000 inhabitants, indicating regional disparities [2]. Foreign nurses account for 1.6% of total nursing professionals, predominantly from Brazil (36.1%), Spain (21.5%), Cape Verde, Angola, and France [2].
• Pharmacists: The number of registered pharmacists has more than doubled since 2002, reaching 17,101 in 2024. Approximately 63.1% work in pharmacies, up from 58.7% in 2002. Foreign pharmacists make up about 0.9% of total pharmacists, with more than a third being Brazilian nationals [2].
• Dentists: While specific recent figures on dentists were not found, the substantial growth in other healthcare professions and ongoing healthcare reforms suggest similar positive trends.
• Regional Distribution and Challenges: Urban and district capitals host higher densities of healthcare professionals, especially nurses, while rural areas face shortages. The aging workforce among doctors raises concerns about future sustainability.
• Representation of Foreign Professionals: Foreign professionals constitute a minor but meaningful segment of healthcare workers in Portugal, especially among nurses and pharmacists, primarily coming from Portuguese-speaking and European countries [2].
• Healthcare System Context: Portugal's healthcare system has improved through reforms, including public-private partnerships and telemedicine investments, enhancing service quality and accessibility. Portugal ranks 23rd globally for healthcare quality, reflecting these workforce improvements and system reforms [3].
• EU Context: Portugal, like other EU countries, participates in broader European initiatives to address healthcare workforce shortages, including the recruitment and retention of foreign healthcare workers [1].

In summary, Portugal's healthcare workforce is expanding with significant increases in doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, uneven regional distribution favouring urban areas, and growing although still limited foreign representation mainly from Brazil and other Lusophone countries [2][3][4][1]. The municipalities with the highest rates of active nurses per 1,000 inhabitants were primarily district capitals such as Coimbra, Portalegre, Guarda, Bragança, Vila Real, Beja, and Évora, while some rural municipalities had rates less than 2.0 nurses per 1,000 inhabitants.

1. The expansion in Portugal's healthcare workforce over the past few decades extends to various sectors such as mental health, skin care, and fitness and exercise.
2. In mental health, the number of professionals has seen a steady increase, with a focus on therapies and treatments for conditions like depression and anxiety.
3. The skin care industry has also witnessed growth, with a surge in demand for dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons to address various medical conditions.
4. Fitness and exercise are increasingly being recognized as essential components of health-and-wellness, leading to an influx of personal trainers and nutritionists in the workplace-wellness sector.
5. Climate change has influenced the manufacturing industry, necessitating engineers and scientists skilled in energy conservation and environmentally-friendly practices.
6. In the realm of environmental-science, researchers are working tirelessly on mitigating the impact of climate change through innovative solutions and policies.
7. Finance has been reshaped by advancements in technology, artificial-intelligence, and data-and-cloud-computing, creating a demand for data analysts and cybersecurity professionals.
8. Energy production and management are vital in addressing climate change, making energy industry workers crucial in implementing clean and renewable energy solutions.9.Space-and-astronomy has become integral to various sectors, from research and development to transportation, with space agencies collaborating with industries such as retail, fashion-and-beauty, and food-and-drink.10.The retail industry is adapting to climate change by promoting eco-friendly products and practices in alignment with consumer preferences.11.Similarly, fashion-and-beauty brands are focusing on sustainable materials and reduced waste in their manufacturing processes, shape-shifting the industry for a greener future.
9. Food-and-drink companies are embracing organic farming and plant-based options, while the beverage industry is exploring new recipes employing cbd for wellness-focused products.
10. The emerging trend of wealth-management is integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles in investment strategies to foster sustainability across industries.14.The home-and-garden industry is capitalizing on the appeal of sustainable living, offering energy-efficient gadgets and eco-friendly products.15.Businesses across all sectors are acknowledging the importance of personal-finance education, offering courses, workshops, and resources to help employees achieve financial stability and independence.
11. Banking-and-insurance institutions are no exception, providing financial planning tools, insurance packages, and retirement plans tailored to diverse clientele.
12. In the realm of education-and-self-development, online platforms are offering an array of courses on personal-growth, productivity, goal-setting, and lifelong-learning.
13. Relationships are being strengthened by the use of therapies, workshops, and resources, promoting open communication, empathy, and understanding.19.As pet ownership, particularly of exotic pets, increases, so does the demand for veterinarians with specialized skills in their care.20.The travel industry, in response to climate change, is promoting eco-tourism and sustainable travel practices, such as ethical tour operators, carbon offsets, and community-based tourism.
14. Cars are becoming smarter, more energy-efficient, and electric, creating employment opportunities in emerging technologies like autonomous vehicles, electric vehicle charging stations, and smart grids.
15. Books continue to play a significant role in promoting mindfulness, personal-growth, and general-news, while audio formats like podcasts and audiobooks offer accessibility for learners on-the-go.
16. Social-media platforms are being used as tools for migrant support, communities, activism, and education, bridging gaps and fostering connections.
17. Movies-and-TV are evolving to encompass social issues, mental-health, and underrepresented voices, sparking conversations and raising awareness.
18. War-and-conflicts have implications for various industries, including migration, politics, and policy-and-legislation, necessitating workers skilled in dealing with these complex issues.
19. Music streaming platforms and live performances are being used as platforms for activism, fundraising, and raising awareness about important societal issues.
20. Online-education platforms are offering degree programs and certificate courses in subjects like data science, artificial-intelligence, and cybersecurity, preparing the workforce for the future.
21. Science fiction and fantasy continue to inspire innovation and creativity in various sectors, from technology to fashion-and-beauty.
22. Focus on pop-culture and entertainment has led to increased discussion about diversity, representation, and inclusion in movies, TV shows, music, and books.
23. General-news outlets are also covering topics related to wellness, lifestyle, and mental-health, reflecting the growing importance of these issues in society.

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