Executive Summary — Mental Health Specialists

Scientific analytical observatory for mental health workforce in Ibero-America (2000–2026). 22 countries. Longitudinal data. Evidence-based policy.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18984813 ← Main Dashboard Policy Brief Methodology Download CSV

Key Performance Indicators — Ibero-America 2022

2.8
per 100,000 inhabitants
Regional Average Psychiatrists
OECD average: 12.0 → 76% gap
0.34
WGI score (0–1)
Workforce Gap Index
Target: ≥0.80 (OECD parity)
5
countries
Critical Deficit (<1/100k)
Bolivia, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua + 1
+2.1×
growth since 2000
Regional Growth (26 years)
Progress, but gap persists
r=0.74
correlation coefficient
Health Exp. vs. Specialists
Strong predictor (p<0.001)
3,100
DALYs/100k avg
Mental Health Burden
Highest burden, fewest specialists

Workforce Gap Index by Country (2022)

Psychiatrists vs. Health Expenditure

OECD Benchmarking by Region

Regional Summary — Workforce Gap Index

Region Countries Psych./100k WGI Score Status
Iberia29.65
0.82
⚠️ Moderate deficit
Cono Sur54.76
0.52
🔴 Significant deficit
Caribe23.35
0.48
🔴 Significant deficit
Andina50.86
0.18
🚨 Critical deficit
Centroamérica60.97
0.16
🚨 Critical deficit

Policy Impact Simulator

Adjust investment scenarios to estimate impact on specialist availability and years to reach OECD parity.

Projected Results (10-year horizon)

Projected psychiatrists/100k (2035)
4.2
Years to OECD parity
38 years
WGI improvement
0.34 → 0.41
Additional specialists trained
+500