Trend in unequal geographical distribution of doctors by age and sex in Japan from 2004 to 2014

Abstract Objectives In Japan, the proportion of female doctors and elderly doctors is increasing as in other countries. We investigated the relationship between doctors' demographic changes and their geographical distribution. Study design A national database study. Methods We assessed trends in unequal geographical distribution of the number of doctors by sex and age from 2004 to 2014 in Japan. Results The Gini coefficient values for the number of female doctors (0.18) were larger than those for male doctors across all generations (0.13–0.14). The Gini coefficient values for the number of elderly doctors aged 60 years and older (male: 0.12, female: 0.18–0.23) were larger than those for majority age groups aged 40–59 years (male: 0.10, female: 0.16–0.17). Conclusion The persisting geographical maldistribution of doctors may be associated with demographic changes, such as increase in the number of female doctors.