The table and bar charts compares the changes that took place in Australia's medical workforce in terms of the number of doctors, their composition, and their birthplace in 1986, 1996, and 2006.
Overall, the table reveals that there was significant growth in the number of medical professionals. Additionally, despite their increasing trend, female doctors remained minority in the healthcare profession throughout the period. While those born in Australia made up the highest percentage of the labor force at the beginning, their percentage became equal with that of those born outside Australia by 2006.
Turning to the details on the table, the number of those working in the medical field showed a consistent upward trend. In 1986, their number was 23720, while this figure increased to 29060 after a decade. This was followed by another increase to 35450 at the end.
Regarding gender disparity in the medical workforce, male doctors were dominant in this domain in spite of the upward trend of female doctors and the downward trend of their male counterparts. In 1986, male doctors formed about three fourth of the workforce with female professionals accounting for mere 25%. By 2006, even after the constant increase in their percentage, female doctors reached approximately 39%, while their male counterparts constituted about 61%.
Focusing on the birthplace of the medical workforce, those born overseas showed a constant increase, even accounting for the same percentage with native Australian doctors. In 1986, those born in Australia constituted more than two third of the total medical workforce (63%), while those from overseas countries made up 27% only. By 2006, because of its constant increasing trend, the figure for those born overseas grew to 50% with those born in Australia representing the same percentage.
Overall, the table reveals that there was significant growth in the number of medical professionals. Additionally, despite their increasing trend, female doctors remained minority in the healthcare profession throughout the period. While those born in Australia made up the highest percentage of the labor force at the beginning, their percentage became equal with that of those born outside Australia by 2006.
Turning to the details on the table, the number of those working in the medical field showed a consistent upward trend. In 1986, their number was 23720, while this figure increased to 29060 after a decade. This was followed by another increase to 35450 at the end.
Regarding gender disparity in the medical workforce, male doctors were dominant in this domain in spite of the upward trend of female doctors and the downward trend of their male counterparts. In 1986, male doctors formed about three fourth of the workforce with female professionals accounting for mere 25%. By 2006, even after the constant increase in their percentage, female doctors reached approximately 39%, while their male counterparts constituted about 61%.
Focusing on the birthplace of the medical workforce, those born overseas showed a constant increase, even accounting for the same percentage with native Australian doctors. In 1986, those born in Australia constituted more than two third of the total medical workforce (63%), while those from overseas countries made up 27% only. By 2006, because of its constant increasing trend, the figure for those born overseas grew to 50% with those born in Australia representing the same percentage.