Female doctors in the United Kingdom have surpassed their male counterparts in number, marking a significant milestone in the medical profession historically dominated by men. Furthermore, according to new figures released by the General Medical Council (GMC), there are more doctors from ethnic minority backgrounds than from white ones in the UK.
The number of women practicing medicine has now outstripped that of men, making up a slight majority of 50.04% of the UK’s 330,000 doctors. This shift has been celebrated as a landmark achievement, given the traditionally male-dominated nature of the profession. This change is anticipated to facilitate easier access for female patients who may prefer to be treated by a doctor of their own sex.
Moreover, the data shows a significant demographic change within the medical workforce. The proportion of doctors from ethnic minorities has seen a remarkable increase, up by 78% between 2016 and 2023, compared to a 10% rise among white doctors. This surge partly stems from a considerable influx of medical professionals from countries like India, Pakistan, Egypt, and Nigeria following the UK’s EU referendum in 2016.
Leading female doctors, while welcoming these changes, highlight pressing challenges that women in the medical profession still face, including issues of unequal pay, sexual harassment, insufficient childcare support, and difficulties in balancing family and career responsibilities. The importance of addressing these issues to ensure equal opportunities and patient care was underscored.
The GMC’s findings also reveal that female doctors are predominantly represented in fields like obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, and general practice but are underrepresented in surgery, ophthalmology, and emergency medicine.
The profession and the NHS are urged to understand and rectify these disparities to ensure all patients have access to a diverse range of skilled and experienced doctors, regardless of gender. The progress in the balance of doctors’ genders and ethnicities is seen as a positive step towards a more inclusive and representative medical workforce.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/mar/06/female-doctors-outnumber-male-peers-in-uk-for-first-time
