According to newly released statistics by the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta, Alberta now has 14,156 fully registered physicians, an increase of 1,226 physicians, or almost 10 per cent, compared with the same time last year. This represents the largest year-over-year increase in physician numbers on record and an all-time high for Alberta.
“More physicians than ever are choosing Alberta. These numbers show that our investments to attract and retain health professionals are delivering results and helping improve access to care for Albertans across the province.”
Every health zone in Alberta recorded physician growth over the past year, with increases in both family medicine and specialist care. This growth is occurring not only in Calgary and Edmonton but in communities across the North, Central and South zones as well, strengthening capacity across the province and helping improve access to timely, high-quality care for Albertans.
This growth is translating into more options for accessing care than ever before. Physicians provide care through walk-in clinics, urgent care centres and other community-based practices, with many clinics in larger urban centres offering same-day appointments and some accepting new patients into ongoing care.
“More physicians are choosing Alberta, helping improve access to care in communities across the province. We’ll continue working with our partners to train, recruit and retain more physicians.”
Alberta's government is making sustained investments to recruit, retain and support physicians, including record funding in Budget 2026 and a physician compensation increase announced in June as part of the 2022-26 master agreement with the Alberta Medical Association. Together, Alberta’s growing physician workforce and expanding care options are helping build a stronger, more accessible health system for Albertans in every part of the province.
Quick facts
- Alberta had a record 14,156 fully registered physicians as of June 30.
- Alberta gained approximately 510 family physicians over the past year.
- More than 1,000 Alberta primary care providers and nurse practitioners are currently accepting new patients.
- More than 88 per cent of Albertans report having access to a primary care provider.
- Calgary added 446 physicians and Edmonton added 356 over the past year, while Alberta’s North, Central and South zones also recorded growth.
- Budget 2026 provided a record $7.7 billion for physician recruitment, training, compensation and development in 2026-27, a $1.4-billion increase from Budget 2025.
- In June, Alberta's government announced a $172.3-million increase in physician compensation under the 2022-26 master agreement with the Alberta Medical Association.