The number of doctors in Quebec continues to rise, with 23,262 physicians practicing as of December 31, 2024—an increase of 377 compared to last year.
This is according to the latest report on medical staffing published Tuesday by the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ).
As of December 31, 2024, a total of 26,396 doctors were registered with the order, representing a growth of 1,821 since 2020.
Among the 23,262 active doctors, 10,695 are family physicians, while 11,750 are specialists.
Regional Disparities
Some regions have seen a decline in their number of doctors. Abitibi-Témiscamingue was the hardest hit, losing six family doctors, one specialist, and five physicians with restrictive permits between December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2024.
The Chaudière-Appalaches and Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine regions each lost eight family doctors over the same period. However, they gained 11 and 4 specialists, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Outaouais region saw a decrease of six family doctors and three specialists, while Laval lost three family doctors but gained eight specialists.
At the other end of the spectrum, Montreal recorded the highest gains, with 77 new family doctors and 102 additional specialists compared to the previous year.
Demographics and Distribution
According to the CMQ data:
- 55.5% of practicing doctors are women, while 44.5% are men.
- The youngest doctor is 24.8 years old, while the oldest is 92.6 years old.
- Of the 23,262 active doctors, 22,837 practice in Quebec, while 425 work outside the province.
- Among those working in Quebec, 19,553 graduated from a Quebec medical school, while 802 obtained their degree in another Canadian province.
These figures highlight both the progress in medical workforce expansion and the persistent regional disparities in healthcare access across Quebec.
