Medical Training Expands in Israel, Yet Staffing and Burnout Crises Persist
Israel's healthcare system sees rising medical student numbers and new university tracks, but severe shortages, rigorous admissions, and a brain drain of doctors persist.
The age-old aspiration for children to pursue a career in medicine remains strong in Israel, even as the healthcare system grapples with staffing shortages, grueling shifts, and years of demanding training. While data shows a steady increase in the number of medical students and new programs, significant hurdles remain regarding admissions, foreign medical degrees, and the retention of experienced physicians.
According to the Ministry of Health, the number of accepted medical students reached 1,446 recently, up from about 1,200 in 2025. However, admissions criteria remain extremely rigorous, combining high psychometric scores, demanding high school matriculation averages, and complex personality testing. CBS data indicates that while university admissions grew from 695 in 2005 to 853 in 2021, the number of rejected applicants surged dramatically from 546 to 1,340 over the same period.
Expansion of Medical Programs
To combat the ongoing shortage, several new medical schools have been established across Israel in recent years. Ariel University recently received final approval for a six-year track with standard university tuition. Additional programs have been launched or approved at the University of Haifa, the Weizmann Institute, and Reichman University, alongside a pre-clinical track in Eilat operating in partnership with the University of Debrecen in Hungary.
Prof. Ido Wolf, head of the oncology division at Ichilov Hospital and head of the Tel Aviv University medical school, noted that admissions criteria are ultimately dictated by the number of slots allocated by the state, with a target of reaching 2,000 students annually by 2030.
Foreign Degrees and Brain Drain
Ministry of Health data for 2024 reveals that only 28% of new doctors were trained in Israeli universities, with the rest studying abroad. However, regulatory reforms implemented in 2019 have created barriers for graduates from institutions that do not meet strict Israeli standards, leaving thousands unable to complete their specialization locally.
At the same time, the system faces an alarming outflow of experienced medical professionals. A recent Tel Aviv University study showed that between 2023 and 2025, approximately 1,300 physicians left Israel, representing about 3% of all employed doctors in the country. Specialists in surgery, dermatology, ENT, neurology, and emergency medicine experienced the highest departure rates.
Salaries and Working Hours
Wage data reveals stark contrasts within the profession. While senior specialists and doctors engaging in private practice can command high incomes, hospital residents often endure grueling schedules. A resident earning a gross monthly salary of about 23,000 NIS frequently works over 250 hours a month—translating to an hourly rate far below standard market expectations.
The medical profession remains wonderful and deeply rewarding, but we must fight for a fairer system with better conditions for all our doctors, says Dr. Eran Dotan, a psychiatric resident and chairman of the 'Mershem' residents organization.
Despite the immense challenges, high burnout rates, and difficult shift structures, medical training continues to draw dedicated young Israelis who view medicine as both a professional calling and a lifelong commitment.
