Pakistan Sees Sharp Decline in Students Choosing Medicine

For context, the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has cautioned that the sharp decline in candidates appearing for the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) indicates growing disinterest in medicine as a career among young residents.

Key points

• The number of candidates stood at 194, 133 in 2021 before reaching 204, 253 in 2022.
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• NADRA Announces Walk-in Jobs for Women in 8 Districts.
• Abdul Ghafoor Shoro pressed health authorities and the PMDC to address these matters instead of lowering MDCAT passing standards to fill vacant seats.

According to official figures from the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), the number of MDCAT candidates has fallen from 204, 253 in 2022 to around 138, 000 in 2026. PMDC Reduces BDS Program Duration.

Notably, the number of candidates stood at 194, 133 in 2021 before reaching 204, 253 in 2022. It then fell to 180, 534 in 2023, 182, 000 in 2024, 140, 071 in 2025 and around 138, 000 this year.

Meanwhile, the PMA remarked the decline continued despite an extension in the registration period. After the MDCAT was rescheduled to September 20, the PMDC reopened registration from August 17 to 21, but only 2, 063 extra candidates registered.

For context, the association attributed the decline to rising private medical college fees, poor financial prospects for young doctors, delayed house-job stipends and a shortage of paid postgraduate residency positions. It additionally cited violence against healthcare workers and limited legal protection for medical professionals.

Meanwhile, the PMA remarked students are increasingly choosing fields such as computer science, artificial intelligence, biotechnology and health data analytics as they offer better career prospects, starting salaries and international opportunities. NADRA Announces Walk-in Jobs for Women in 8 Districts.

PMA Secretary-General Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro pressed health authorities and the PMDC to address these matters instead of lowering MDCAT passing standards to fill vacant seats. The association pressed private medical college fee caps, timely stipend payments, regular medical officer positions and legislation to protect healthcare professionals. Stay Connected with ProPakistani.

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