The table compares data regarding doctors in Australia in different categories – the number, gender, and place of birth – in 1986, 1996, and 2006. Overall, the number of doctors increased gradually over the span, reaching its peak in 2006. According to gender observation, the percentages of male doctors decreased, whereas those of females showed an upward trend. Notably, there was the same proportion of doctors born in Australia and overseas in the last year.
Examining the number of doctors first, there were 23,720 in 1986. While this figure grew to 29,060 by 1996, an all-time high was registered in 2006, at 35,450. It is worth noting that there was an increase of just under 12,000 over the span.
Turning to gender statistics, the percentages of male doctors were relatively higher compared to their female counterparts in all three years. The male doctors’ proportion was around 72% initially, whereas their counterparts accounted for approximately 22%. The males’ figure fell to a sharp 60% by 2006. On the other hand, the percentage of females rose gradually, registering respective figures of 31% and 39% in 1996 and 2006.
Moving on to the place of birth, the shares of doctors born in Australia varied drastically in contrast to those born overseas. In 1986, Australian-born doctors accounted for just over 60%, followed by a subtle decreasing trend, at 58%. In stark contrast, immigrant doctors were roughly 38% initially, which later grew to 40%. Of particular note is 2006, in which both counterparts accounted for the same percentage of 50%.