Professional Directory Guide
Dubai’s Healthcare Workforce: Key Statistics 2026
On 3 April 2026, Dubai's Sheryan medical register listed 99,520 healthcare professionals: 24,186 physicians, 7,713 dentists, 34,733 nurses and midwives and 32,888 allied health professionals, linked to 5,505 facilities. Nurses and midwives were the largest group. 69,427 records (about 70%) held a full-time licence and 30,000 were Registered Only, meaning registered with DHA but not licensed at a Dubai facility on that date.
99,520
Total professionals
24,186
Physicians
5,505
Facilities
46
Specialties
Dubai's Healthcare Workforce at a Glance
Dubai is home to one of the most dynamic healthcare workforces in the Middle East. With 99,520 professionals on the register linked to 5,505 facilities on 3 April 2026, the emirate has built a comprehensive healthcare infrastructure to serve its diverse population of over 3.5 million residents and millions more annual visitors.
24,186
Physicians & Doctors
7,713
Dentists
34,733
Nurses & Midwives
32,888
Allied Health Professionals
Physician Specialty Distribution
Among the 24,186 physicians on Dubai's register (15,654 of them with a full-time licence), the distribution of specialties reflects the population's healthcare needs. Primary care (GPs and Family Medicine) leads, followed by high-demand specialties like OB/GYN, Pediatrics, and Dermatology.
| Specialty | Professionals |
|---|---|
| General Practitioner | 6,922 |
| Obstetrics & Gynecology | 1,510 |
| Pediatrics | 1,228 |
| Family Medicine | 1,100 |
| Dermatology | 1,072 |
| Anesthesiology | 1,056 |
| Internal Medicine | 984 |
| Orthopedic Surgery | 917 |
| General Surgery | 729 |
| Ophthalmology | 608 |
| ENT (Otolaryngology) | 561 |
| Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery | 518 |
| Diagnostic Radiology | 472 |
| Emergency Medicine | 427 |
| Cardiology | 394 |
Largest Healthcare Facilities
Dubai's largest hospitals employ thousands of professionals across all disciplines. Government hospitals like Rashid Hospital and Dubai Hospital anchor the public sector, while private institutions like American Hospital and Mediclinic drive the private sector.
| Facility | Staff |
|---|---|
| 1. Rashid Hospital | 2,675 |
| 2. Dubai Hospital | 1,638 |
| 3. American Hospital Dubai | 1,107 |
| 4. Mediclinic Parkview Hospital | 1,012 |
| 5. Al Jalila Children's Specialty Hospital | 988 |
| 6. Mediclinic City Hospital | 929 |
| 7. Al Zahra Hospital | 895 |
| 8. Latifa Hospital | 874 |
| 9. Kings College Hospital | 838 |
| 10. Saudi German Hospital | 818 |
Dental Workforce
The 7,713 dentists on Dubai's register cover 11 specialties, from general dentistry to specialized fields like orthodontics, endodontics, and oral surgery.
Nursing and Allied Health
Nurses and midwives form the largest category with 34,733 professionals, while the allied health sector (32,888 professionals) includes pharmacists, physiotherapists, lab technologists, psychologists, and more. Together, these groups provide the essential support infrastructure that enables hospitals and clinics to function.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many healthcare professionals are in Dubai?
On 3 April 2026, Dubai's public Sheryan medical register listed 99,520 healthcare professionals: 24,186 physicians, 7,713 dentists, 34,733 nurses and midwives, and 32,888 allied health professionals. 69,427 of those records held a full-time licence (FTL) and 30,000 were Registered Only (REG), meaning registered with DHA but not licensed at a Dubai facility.
What is the largest healthcare facility in Dubai?
By staff count, the largest healthcare facilities in Dubai are Rashid Hospital (2,675 staff), Dubai Hospital (1,638 staff), American Hospital Dubai (1,107 staff). These government and private hospitals employ thousands of professionals across all specialties.
What are the most common medical specialties in Dubai?
The most common physician specialty on Dubai's medical register is General Practitioner with 6,922 professionals, followed by Obstetrics & Gynecology (1,510), Pediatrics (1,228), and Family Medicine (1,100). Among dentists, General Dentistry leads with 5,102 practitioners.
How many hospitals are in Dubai?
Zavis's 3 April 2026 snapshot of the professional register links staff to 5,505 facilities of all types, including hospitals, clinics, medical centres, dental practices, pharmacies and labs; the register does not give a separate hospital count. The four largest hospitals each had more than 1,000 professionals listed.
Is Dubai's healthcare workforce growing?
Yes. Dubai's healthcare workforce has grown significantly over the past decade, driven by population growth, medical tourism, and government investment in healthcare infrastructure. Dubai's health regulator continues to license new facilities and professionals each year.
Related Guides
Specialist vs Consultant in Dubai: What’s the Difference?
Specialist and Consultant are licence titles under the unified UAE qualification rules (PQR). The experience each title needs, by qualification tier, and how to check a doctor's title on Dubai's register.
How Medical Licensing Works in Dubai
How DHA licensing works for doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals: Sheryan, DataFlow verification, the licensing exam, registration and licence activation, with the times and fees DHA publishes.
FTL vs REG License: What’s the Difference?
On Dubai's medical register, FTL means Full-time License and REG means Registered Only. What each code means for doctors and patients, with counts from the register.
How to Verify a Doctor’s License in Dubai
How to check a doctor's licence in Dubai on the Dubai Medical Registry on Sheryan: what to search, what the title and licence type show, and the signs that someone cannot practise.
Data Source
99,520 healthcare professionals across 5,505 facilities. Register snapshot taken 3 April 2026. Source: Dubai's public Sheryan medical register.
Source: Dubai's public Sheryan medical professional register. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Verify professional credentials directly with Dubai's health regulator before making healthcare decisions.