New data from the National Statistics Institute (Instituto Nacional de Estatística or INE) shows that Portugal had 46,131 doctors in active practice in 2024, a figure significantly lower than the 65,000 previously registered with the Medical Association (Ordem dos Médicos). Meanwhile, the government prepares to launch the new waiting list management system for consultations and surgeries, known as SINACC, starting tomorrow.
New data reveals lower number of active doctors
Thursday, 30 July 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
INE (Instituto Nacional de Estatística) is Portugal's official statistics office, responsible for collecting, processing, and publishing data on the economy, population, housing, employment, inflation, and social conditions.
Key INE publications include the Consumer Price Index (CPI), quarterly GDP figures, housing price indices, census data, and labor market statistics. These figures are widely used by policymakers, journalists, lenders, and international organizations to assess Portugal's economic and social trends.
INE data is publicly available at ine.pt, where users can access databases, press releases, and interactive tools covering everything from property prices to demographic shifts.
The Ordem dos Médicos is Portugal’s professional medical association that registers doctors, enforces ethical rules and can discipline members. It issues formal opinions and can challenge health policies or laws, so its objections matter when a programme like the Waitlist Recovery Programme changes how patients are referred or treated.
