Dynamics of Healthcare Workforce and Service Demand in Georgia: An Analysis of Structural Imbalance

Nikoloz Kilasonia

Journal number 1 ∘ Nikoloz Kilasonia ∘
Dynamics of Healthcare Workforce and Service Demand in Georgia: An Analysis of Structural Imbalance

DOI: 10.52340/ekonomisti.2026.01.18

Expanded Summary

The sustainable functioning of a healthcare system largely depends on the balance between the availability of professional human resources and the dynamics of demand for medical services. When the demand for healthcare services grows faster than the professional workforce, the system begins to operate under increased workload and organizational pressure. This issue is particularly relevant in transitional economies, where healthcare labor markets are often characterized by uneven resource distribution and limited growth of professional personnel.

This study analyzes the dynamics of healthcare workforce and medical service demand in Georgia during the period 2018–2024. The research is based on descriptive and comparative dynamic analysis of official statistical data obtained from the National Statistics Office of Georgia (GeoStat) and international healthcare databases. The aim of the study is to evaluate quantitative changes in professional healthcare resources, examine the trajectory of demand for medical services, and assess the transformation of the relationship between these two processes.

The results indicate that during the analyzed period the number of physicians decreased by approximately 22.6%, while the number of physician visits increased by about 29%. As a result, the average workload per physician increased significantly, rising by approximately 66%. Although the number of nursing personnel increased to some extent, this growth does not fully compensate for the decline in the number of physicians. The findings also suggest that the increase in demand for medical services is associated with the high prevalence of non-communicable diseases, the growth of behavioral health risk factors, and broader socio-economic conditions.

Overall, the results indicate that Georgia’s healthcare system is operating under conditions of increasing operational pressure, where the growth in service demand exceeds the expansion of professional workforce capacity. This trend points to the risk of emerging structural imbalance within the healthcare system and highlights the importance of long-term human resource planning, strengthening preventive healthcare policies, and improving the strategic management of the healthcare labor market.

EKONOMISTI The international scientific and analytical, reviewed, printing and electronic journal of Paata Gugushvili Institute of Economics of Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University

DOI: 10.52340/EKONOMISTI DOI: 10.36172/EKONOMISTI E ISSN 2346-8432 Print ISSN 1987-6890	Journal number 1 ∘ Nikoloz Kilasonia ∘ Dynamics of Healthcare Workforce and Service Demand in Georgia: An Analysis of Structural Imbalance DOI: 10.52340/ekonomisti.2026.01.18 Expanded Summary The sustainable functioning of a healthcare system largely depends on the balance between the availability of professional human resources and the dynamics of demand for medical services. When the demand for healthcare services grows faster than the professional workforce, the system begins to operate under increased workload and organizational pressure. This issue is particularly relevant in transitional economies, where healthcare labor markets are often characterized by uneven resource distribution and limited growth of professional personnel. This study analyzes the dynamics of healthcare workforce and medical service demand in Georgia during the period 2018–2024. The research is based on descriptive and comparative dynamic analysis of official statistical data obtained from the National Statistics Office of Georgia (GeoStat) and international healthcare databases. The aim of the study is to evaluate quantitative changes in professional healthcare resources, examine the trajectory of demand for medical services, and assess the transformation of the relationship between these two processes. The results indicate that during the analyzed period the number of physicians decreased by approximately 22.6%, while the number of physician visits increased by about 29%. As a result, the average workload per physician increased significantly, rising by approximately 66%. Although the number of nursing personnel increased to some extent, this growth does not fully compensate for the decline in the number of physicians. The findings also suggest that the increase in demand for medical services is associated with the high prevalence of non-communicable diseases, the growth of behavioral health risk factors, and broader socio-economic conditions. Overall, the results indicate that Georgia’s healthcare system is operating under conditions of increasing operational pressure, where the growth in service demand exceeds the expansion of professional workforce capacity. This trend points to the risk of emerging structural imbalance within the healthcare system and highlights the importance of long-term human resource planning, strengthening preventive healthcare policies, and improving the strategic management of the healthcare labor market.