While the table shows the number of doctors in Australia from 1986 to 2006, the bar charts compare the percentages of them according to their genders and birthplaces.
Overall, it is clear that the number of doctors in Australia experienced growth during three decades. Although the percentage of male doctors decreased while the figure for females witnessed a rise, men were generally more interested in becoming doctors with a significant gap than women. In addition, doctors born in Australia showed a declining trend; the reverse was true for overseas doctors.
In 1986, about 23,720 doctors worked in Australia, followed by a gradual rise to 29,060 and 35,450 in 1996 and 2006, respectively. While 75% of doctors were men in 1986, this figure underwent a consistent downward trend to 60% at the end of the period. Conversely, being a doctor was less popular among women, with 25% initially. Then, the percentage of female doctors increased to just under 40% in 2006.
As for place of birth, the number of Australian native doctors was significantly more than the ones born overseas. The proportion of Australian native doctors decreased from just over 60% in 1986 to 50% in 2006; the figure for foreign doctors was considerably less despite increasing from 35% initially to 50% in 2006.