Over two-thirds of new doctors in Ireland trained outside EU and UK

The Medical Council found burnout and frustration with inefficient workplace systems were among the reasons more than 760 doctors emigrated last year. File picture

Over two-thirds of doctors who began practising in Ireland last year trained outside the EU and the UK, according to new figures from the Irish Medical Council.

It comes amid warnings from the Irish Association of International Doctors that proposed changes to citizenship rules could make Ireland a less attractive destination for overseas medical professionals.

Among newly registered doctors from outside the EU, 64% trained in Pakistan and 15.8% in Sudan. Despite 1,795 more doctors joining the register than in the previous year, 2,510 doctors left it during 2025.

The Medical Council said a substantial increase in new registrations was partly attributable to improvements in its application systems.

Most of those joining the register were doing so for the first time, accounting for 7,099 of the new additions, while the remainder were doctors returning to practice. Among those returning to the register, 47% had trained in Ireland, while doctors trained in Pakistan made up the largest group from outside the EU and UK.

The majority of newly registered doctors were aged 34 or under and 51.4% were male. Most doctors who left the register were also aged 34 or younger.

The Medical Council found burnout and frustration with inefficient workplace systems were among the reasons more than 760 doctors emigrated last year.

One respondent wrote simply: "Exhaustion. Need a break."

Others pointed to inefficiencies, outdated processes, and staff shortages. One Australian-trained doctor said: "The Irish health system is broken and frustrating to work in despite great healthcare workers and lovely patients."

Another doctor said they had retired after being "bullied repeatedly by the hospital manager". Respondents also highlighted difficulties caused by the lack of shared patient records between hospitals, while others said they struggled to find a job or were unable to afford registration fees while searching for work.

Among 761 doctors who left to work elsewhere, the UK was the most popular destination at 30.5% followed by Pakistan at 17% and Australia at 12.3%. One retiring doctor said: “It's time to hand on the baton to the next generation.”

Medical Council chief executive Maria O’Kane said: “The findings reinforce the important contribution that internationally trained doctors make to healthcare in Ireland, while also highlighting some of the challenges that can arise between obtaining registration and securing employment.”

Dr Bernadette Rock, the council’s head of research and regulatory data insights, said: “A key finding is that some internationally trained doctors who left the register reported difficulties securing employment despite having successfully obtained registration." 

She said the high number of new doctors suggests “Ireland remains an attractive destination for doctors”.