China’s healthcare in numbers: doctors, hospitals and patient access

How many doctors and hospitals does China have?

China’s National Health Commission reported 5.082 million licensed physicians and assistant physicians at the end of 2024. Of those, 4.280 million were licensed physicians. The combined density was 3.61 per 1,000 residents.

The same report counted 38,710 hospitals, including 4,111 tertiary hospitals and 1,876 tertiary Grade A hospitals. These are national totals for 2024, not a count of hospitals offering an overseas remote-review service.

Sources: [1]

How does doctor density compare internationally?

OECD Health at a Glance 2025 reports practising-physician densities in its 2023 reporting frame, using the nearest available year where necessary. Its table reports 2.7 for the United States, 2.6 for Japan, 3.4 for the United Kingdom and 4.7 for Germany per 1,000 residents.

China’s combined physician-and-assistant measure is not the same definition. The observations also come from different years. The figures below are a comparison of reported measures, not a ranking of clinical quality or a fully harmonized, same-year workforce league table.

Sources: [1], [2]

What might a hospital visit look like?

A concrete example is Peking Union Medical College Hospital’s international department in Beijing. Its own service page describes appointments with staggered times, more than 30 specialties, and nearby ultrasound, blood-drawing and pharmacy facilities. It also publishes an English telephone option.

This demonstrates an available model of international patient service. It does not establish a nationwide experience, a booking guarantee, a remote-consultation offer or a partnership with China Heal Plus. The specific department must confirm the appointment, language assistance, fees and records it accepts.

Sources: [3]

Use the numbers to ask better questions

National capacity helps explain why China is worth considering as one source of specialist expertise. For an individual request, the department and doctor matter more than a national total. Ask for information that can change your decision:

• Does the specialist regularly work on the diagnosis or decision you want reviewed?
• Can the provider accept your residency, existing records and proposed remote-review format?
• Will you receive the doctor’s written opinion, and in which language?
• What is included in the quote, and which tests or follow-up visits are extra?
• Who will explain the report to your treating team at home?

Start with the question you want reviewed

China Heal Plus coordinates specialist second-opinion enquiries, records preparation and the language support agreed in a quote. We begin with your area of care and contact details, then confirm suitability, specialist options and the scope before payment. You do not need to send medical files through the initial form.