Flagship Workforce Report
Dubai Healthcare Workforce Report 2026
Published 2026-04-03 | Source: DHA Sheryan Medical Registry
Executive Summary
Dubai's healthcare sector employs 99,520 DHA-licensed professionals across 5,505 facilities, making it one of the largest and most diverse healthcare labor markets in the Middle East. Key findings:
- Nurses and midwives form the largest category at 34,733 (35%), followed by allied health at 32,888 (33%)
- Physician density stands at 661 per 100K population — above the WHO-recommended threshold
- The nurse-to-physician ratio of 1.44:1 remains below the WHO benchmark of 3:1
- 70% of all licenses are FTL (Full Time), with 30% holding REG (Registration) status
Population Ratios
Based on estimated Dubai population of 3,660,000 (2026)
661
Physicians per 100K
WHO min: 100
949
Nurses per 100K
WHO min: 300
211
Dentists per 100K
Global avg: ~30
899
Allied Health per 100K
2719
Total per 100K
1:151
Physician-to-Population
1:105
Nurse-to-Population
1.44:1
Nurse-to-Physician Ratio
Workforce by Category
Physicians & Doctors
24,186
24% of total workforce
Dentists
7,713
8% of total workforce
Nurses & Midwives
34,733
35% of total workforce
Allied Health Professionals
32,888
33% of total workforce
License Type Distribution
69,428
Full Time License (FTL)
70% — dedicated to a single facility
30,092
Registration (REG)
30% — may practice across multiple facilities
FTL professionals are permanently assigned to one facility and form the core clinical workforce. REG holders may work part-time, locum, or across multiple locations. A high FTL rate at a facility indicates staffing stability.
Top 20 Facilities by Staff
View all 5,505 facilities ranked by staff count →
Top 20 Specialties by Workforce Size
| # | Specialty | Professionals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Registered Nurse | 28,552 |
| 2 | Pharmacist | 9,388 |
| 3 | General Practitioner | 6,922 |
| 4 | Assistant Nurse | 5,725 |
| 5 | General Dentist | 5,102 |
| 6 | Physiotherapist | 3,563 |
| 7 | Medical Laboratory Technologist | 2,372 |
| 8 | Aesthetician & Beauty Therapist | 2,142 |
| 9 | Optometrist | 1,851 |
| 10 | Radiography Technologist | 1,591 |
| 11 | Obstetrics & Gynecology | 1,510 |
| 12 | Pediatrics | 1,228 |
| 13 | Medical Laboratory Technician | 1,211 |
| 14 | Family Medicine | 1,100 |
| 15 | Dermatology | 1,072 |
| 16 | Anesthesiology | 1,056 |
| 17 | Internal Medicine | 984 |
| 18 | Orthopedic Surgery | 917 |
| 19 | Dental Assistant | 841 |
| 20 | Pharmacy Technician | 832 |
View all 73 specialties ranked →
Specialist-to-Consultant Pipeline
Specialties where both "Specialist" and "Consultant" designations exist, showing the seniority pipeline.
| Specialty | Specialists | Consultants | Consultant % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obstetrics & Gynecology | 1,140 | 361 | 24% |
| Pediatrics | 916 | 306 | 25% |
| Family Medicine | 511 | 578 | 53% |
| Dermatology | 957 | 115 | 11% |
| Anesthesiology | 741 | 315 | 30% |
| Internal Medicine | 754 | 229 | 23% |
| Orthopedic Surgery | 595 | 322 | 35% |
| Orthodontics | 713 | 43 | 6% |
| General Surgery | 453 | 274 | 38% |
| Ophthalmology | 432 | 176 | 29% |
| ENT (Otolaryngology) | 409 | 151 | 27% |
| Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery | 316 | 202 | 39% |
| Diagnostic Radiology | 372 | 100 | 21% |
| Emergency Medicine | 302 | 119 | 28% |
| Cardiology | 264 | 129 | 33% |
Geographic Concentration
| Area | Professionals |
|---|---|
| Oud Metha | 5,057 |
| Al Barsha | 4,766 |
| Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) | 3,739 |
| Deira | 2,355 |
| Al Safa | 1,697 |
| Al Garhoud | 1,428 |
| Al Qusais | 1,340 |
| Al Jaddaf | 1,023 |
| Jumeirah | 826 |
| Al Nahda | 611 |
| Mirdif | 606 |
| Al Mamzar | 543 |
| Bur Dubai | 446 |
| Hatta | 427 |
| Dubai Marina | 229 |
View all areas with geographic analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
How many healthcare professionals are licensed in Dubai?
As of 2026-04-03, there are 99,520 DHA-licensed healthcare professionals in Dubai. This includes 24,186 physicians, 7,713 dentists, 34,733 nurses and midwives, and 32,888 allied health professionals.
What is the physician-to-population ratio in Dubai?
Dubai has approximately 661 physicians per 100,000 population (based on an estimated 3.66 million residents), which exceeds the WHO recommended minimum. This ratio includes general practitioners, specialists, and consultants across all medical disciplines.
What is the nurse-to-physician ratio in Dubai?
The nurse-to-physician ratio in Dubai is approximately 1.44:1. While this meets basic operational requirements, it falls below the WHO benchmark of 3:1, indicating potential demand for nursing recruitment.
What does FTL vs REG mean for DHA licenses?
FTL (Full Time License) means the professional works full-time at their registered facility. REG (Registration) indicates a professional who may practice part-time or across multiple facilities. FTL holders typically represent the core staffing at a facility.
Where is this workforce data sourced from?
All data comes from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) Sheryan Medical Professional Registry, the official licensing database for healthcare workers in Dubai. Data was collected on 2026-04-03.
How often is the workforce data updated?
The DHA Sheryan registry is a live database updated as professionals obtain or renew licenses. Zavis re-indexes the full registry periodically to capture changes in workforce composition, new hires, and departures.
Source: Dubai Health Authority (DHA) Sheryan Medical Professional Registry. Data scraped 2026-04-03. This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or employment advice. Verify credentials directly with DHA.