New report reveals progress in diversity, retention among active doctors
Active doctors in New Zealand continued to increase this year, with growing diversity and high retention rates observed, according to a new report.
The Medical Council of New Zealand revealed there were 20,530 practising doctors in 2025, up by 2.6% from last year, continuing its upward trend since 2020.
"The number of doctors is increasing at an overall greater rate than the New Zealand population," the council's report read.
Nearly half (49.6%) of practising doctors in the country are also women, and they are expected to surpass the number of men in the workforce by mid-2026.
Female doctors now outnumber male doctors in vocational training, with 55.3%. They also surpass the number of men among:
- House officers (63.9%)
- Registrars (54%)
- General practitioners (54.4%)
Diversity among doctors
Meanwhile, Māori doctors make up 5.5% of the workforce, and Pacific Peoples 2.7%, according to the report.
The largest group by ethnicity is European, with 52% of doctors identifying with the group.
"Māori and Pacific Peoples doctors are more likely to be aged under 35 years compared with European doctors and the overall workforce," the report read.
"This is also true for doctors identifying with Asian ethnicities, although to a smaller extent."
Rachelle Love, chair of the Medical Council, welcomed the findings in a statement.
"We welcome the growth and diversity reflected in this year's survey. More doctors are practising in Aotearoa, more women are entering the profession, and younger cohorts show encouraging increases in Māori and Pacific representation," she said.
Retention rate among doctors
When it comes to retention, 99% of graduates in New Zealand are retained after one year.
This drops to 95% in the second year, and then to 88% after three years.
"Retention rates for graduates at two years post-registration are increasing," the report read.
"Since 2015, it has consistently been over 95%. Retention at three years post-registration is increasing overall but is down in the 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 cohorts."
However, international medical graduates (IMGs) have lower retention rates in New Zealand, with more than 40% leaving after one year.
This increases to 60% after two years, and then 75% after 10 years.
"The data reminds us of the continuing reliance on international medical graduates, and the need for a workforce that better reflects the communities we serve and our obligations to consider global health needs when recruiting IMGs," Love said.
