WFOT Human Resources Project 2022 ALPH Final

Human Resources Project 2022
Global demographics of the occupational therapy profession
Listed in alphabetical order
World Federation of Occupational Therapists | www.wfot.org

Table of Contents
Introduction 3
Practicing Occupational Therapists 4
Occupational Therapy Education Programmes 7
Regulation/Registration 15
Membership - Occupational Therapists 22
Membership - Students 27
Membership - Assistants 30
Occupational Therapy Service Provision 36
Recruitment and Retention 42
Summary 56
Collated 2021 © WFOT 2022

Number of WFOT Member Organisations surveyed = 98
Number of WFOT Member Organisations that responded = 96
Response rate = 98%
WFOT Member Organisations that responded: Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belgium,
Bermuda, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guyana, Haiti, Hong Kong, Iceland, India,
Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Republic of Korea, Kosovo, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Macau, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand,
Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Palestine, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles,
Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey,
Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe
WFOT Member Organisations that did not respond: Faroe Islands, Panama
Date questionnaire first circulated: 6 May 2021
Data collection method: online, circulated by WFOT Secretariat by email

Practicing Occupational Therapists
World Federation of Occupational Therapists | www.wfot.org |

Argentina 13000
Armenia 100
Australia 24700
Austria 4270
Bahamas 11
Bangladesh 280
Belgium 12993
n = 96 (100%)
Bermuda 36
Bosnia & Herzegovina 20
Botswana 32
Brazil 22581
Bulgaria 54
Canada 18906
Chile 7500
China 434
Colombia 7238
Costa Rica 312
Croatia 654
Cyprus 255
Czech Republic 1000
Denmark 13100
Dominican Republic 100
Estonia 140
Finland 3300
France 13644
Georgia 46
Germany 63000
Ghana 43
Greece 1950
Guyana 6
Haiti 9
Hong Kong 2609
Iceland 370
India 24000
Indonesia 1800
Iran 3500
Ireland 2937
Israel 6782
Italy 2262
Jamaica 5
Japan 99776
Jordan 1300
Kazakhstan 3
Kenya 1600
Republic of Korea 14000
Kosovo 12
Latvia 192
Lebanon 190
Lithuania 350
Luxembourg 300
Macau 114
Madagascar 45
Malawi 16
Malaysia 1858
Malta 239
Mauritius 70
Mexico 766
Mongolia 30
Morocco 40
Namibia 87
Netherlands 6000
New Zealand 4502
Nigeria 120
Norway 5370
400
Number of practicing occupational therapists
Pakistan
Palestine 259
Peru 500
Philippines 2060
Poland 7915
Portugal 2120
Romania 155
Russia 82
Rwanda 31
Saudi Arabia 200
Serbia 130
Seychelles 3
Singapore 1304
Slovenia 578
South Africa 5855
Spain 9800
Sri Lanka 120
Sweden 12170
Switzerland 3400
Taiwan 3890
Tanzania 164
Thailand 1478
Trinidad & Tobago 27
Tunisia 430
Turkey 350
Uganda 350
Ukraine 75
United Kingdom 41315
United States of America 142007
Venezuela 5000
Zambia 10
Zimbabwe 202
Argentina 3
Armenia 0.3
Australia 10
Austria 5
Bahamas 0.3
Bangladesh 0.02
Belgium 11
n = 96 (100%)
Bermuda 6
Bosnia and Herzegovina 0.1
Botswana 0.1
Brazil 1
Bulgaria 0.1
Canada 5
Chile 4
China 0.003
Colombia 1
Costa Rica 1
Croatia 2
Cyprus 2
Czech Republic 1
Denmark 22
Dominican Republic 0.1
Estonia 1
Finland 6
France 2
Georgia 0.1
Germany 8
Ghana 0.01
Greece 2
Guyana 0.1
Haiti 0.01
Hong Kong 3
Iceland 10
India 0.2
Indonesia 0.1
Iran 0.4
Ireland 6
Israel 7
Italy 0.4
Jamaica 0.02
Japan 8
Jordan 1
Kazakhstan 0.002
Kenya 0.3
Republic of Korea 3
Kosovo 0.1
Latvia 1
Lebanon 0.3
Lithuania 1
Luxembourg 5
Macau 2
Madagascar 0.02
Malawi 0.01
Malaysia 1
Malta 5
Mauritius 1
Mexico 0.1
Mongolia 0.1
Morocco 0.01
Namibia 0.3
Netherlands 3
New Zealand 9
Nigeria 0.01
Norway 10
Pakistan 0.02
Palestine 0.5
Peru 0.2
Philippines 0.2
Poland 2
Portugal 2
Romania 0.1
Russia 0.01
Rwanda 0.02
Number of occupational therapists per 10,000 head of population
Saudi Arabia 0.1

Serbia 0.2
Seychelles 0.3
Singapore 2
Slovenia 3
South Africa 1
Spain 2
Sri Lanka 0.1
Sweden 12
Switzerland 4
Taiwan 2
Tanzania 0.03
Thailand 0.2
Trinidad and Tobago 0.2
Tunisia 0.4
Turkey 0.04
Uganda 0.1
Ukraine 0.02
United Kingdom 6
Venezuela 2
Zambia 0.01
Zimbabwe 0.1
Occupational Therapy Education Programmes

Argentina 7
Australia 60
Austria 8
Bangladesh 1
Belgium 15
n = 75 (76%)
Brazil 17
Bulgaria 1
Canada 14
Chile 8
China 8
Colombia 11
Cyprus 1
Czech Republic 1
Denmark 7
Estonia 1
Finland 5
France 19
Georgia 1
Germany 139
Ghana 1
Greece 5
Haiti 1
Hong Kong 3
Iceland 1
India 20
Indonesia 1
Iran 12
Ireland 4
Israel 4
Italy 1
Japan 159
Jordan 3
Kenya 4
Kosovo 1
Latvia 1
Lithuania 1
Madagascar 1
Malawi 1
Malaysia 4
Malta 1
Mauritius 1
Mexico 3
Morocco 1
Namibia 1
Netherlands 5
New Zealand 2
Norway 5
Pakistan 3
Palestine 2
Philippines 5
Portugal 3
1
Number of WFOT Approved Education Programmes
Romania
Russia 1
Rwanda 1
Saudi Arabia 3
Singapore 1
Slovenia 1
South Africa 8
Spain 6
Sri Lanka 1
Sweden 8
Switzerland 3
Taiwan 7
Tanzania 1
Thailand 2
Trinidad & Tobago 1
Turkey 1
Uganda 1
Ukraine 1
United Kingdom 78
Venezuela 3
Zambia 1
Zimbabwe 1
Argentina 9270
Australia 9800
Austria 700
Bangladesh 170
Belgium 4123
n = 69 (72%)
Brazil 3530
Bulgaria 50
Canada 2564
Chile 2500
China 553
Colombia 1119
Cyprus 160
Czech Republic 50
Denmark 1800
Estonia 64
Finland 800
France 2200
Germany 7090
Ghana 32
Greece 1077
Haiti 15
Hong Kong 610
Iceland 60
India 900
Indonesia 100
Iran 350
Ireland 430
Israel 1200
Italy 66
Japan 21916
Jordan 750
Kenya 350
Kosovo 25
Latvia 113
Lithuania 28
Madagascar 30
Malaysia 203
Mexico 71
Morocco 83
Namibia 44
Netherlands 500
New Zealand 622
Norway 942
Pakistan 174
Palestine 165
Philippines 580
Portugal 510
Romania 105
Rwanda 26
Saudi Arabia 160
Singapore 400
Slovenia 167
South Africa 1204
Number of students studying in WFOT approved education programmes
Spain 700
Sri Lanka 40
Sweden 1300
Switzerland 430
Taiwan 1300
Tanzania 58
Thailand 394
Turkey 400
Uganda 20
Ukraine 24
United Kingdom 6721
Venezuela 686
Zimbabwe 100
Argentina 373
Austria 240
Bangladesh 40
Belgium 910
Brazil 454
n = 67 (70%)
Bulgaria 10
Canada 1020
Chile 2000
China 158
Colombia 169
Cyprus 35
Czech Republic 20
Denmark 550
Estonia 14
Finland 100
France 730
Germany 1807
Ghana 9
Greece 93
Hong Kong 180
Iceland 15
India 800
Indonesia 100
Iran 300
Ireland 125
Israel 340
Italy 22
Japan 6000
Jordan 130
Kenya 300
Kosovo 12
Latvia 15
Lithuania 10
Madagascar 15
Malaysia 124
Mexico 61
Morocco 20
Namibia 7
Netherlands 250
New Zealand 162
Norway 245
Pakistan 50
Palestine 50
Philippines 117
Portugal 120
Romania 30
Rwanda 12
Saudi Arabia 65
Singapore 90
Slovenia 40
South Africa 287
Spain 200
Sri Lanka 20
Number of graduates from WFOT approved education programmes each year
Sweden 390
Switzerland 132
Taiwan 328
Tanzania 24
Thailand 100
Turkey 65
Uganda 15
Ukraine 15
United Kingdom 1555
Venezuela 73
Zimbabwe 25
Argentina 9
Armenia 1
n = 46 (48%)
Brazil 11
Chile 18
China 8
Costa Rica 1
Croatia 1
Czech Republic 4
France 7
Germany 54
Ghana 1
Greece 1
Guyana 1
India 10
Indonesia 1
Iran 1
Israel 1
Italy 10
Japan 39
Lebanon 2
Lithuania 3
Malaysia 3
Mexico 7
Mongolia 1
Netherlands 1
Nigeria 2
Pakistan 2
Palestine 2
Peru 2
Philippines 17
Number of non WFOT approved education programmes
Poland 7
Portugal 1
Romania 2
Russia 2
Saudi Arabia 3
Serbia 2
Spain 14
Taiwan 3
Tunisia 1
Turkey 10
Ukraine 57
United Kingdom 2
Venezuela 4
Argentina 2842
Brazil 1482
n = 45 (47%)
China 392
Costa Rica 140
Croatia 50
Czech Republic 160
France 800
Germany 2750
Ghana 24
Greece 173
Guyana 5
India 400
Indonesia 30
Iran 20
Israel 85
Italy 640
Japan 6685
Lebanon 130
Lithuania 170
Malaysia 76
Mexico 588
Mongolia 32
Netherlands 80
Nigeria 2
Pakistan 125
Palestine 60
Peru 220
Philippines 696
Poland 150
Portugal 70
Romania 155
Russia 40
Number of students studying in non WFOT approved education programmes
Saudi Arabia 40
Serbia 50
Spain 3000
Taiwan 970
Tunisia 90
Turkey 1200
Ukraine 1500
United Kingdom 36
Venezuela 210
Argentina 134
Brazil 227
n = 37 (38%)
Chile 900
China 117
Costa Rica 15
Croatia 40
Czech Republic 50
France 270
Germany 660
Ghana 20
India 9
Indonesia 30
Iran 15
Israel 0
Italy 215
Japan 1460
Lebanon 30
Lithuania 60
Malaysia 61
Mexico 164
Mongolia 8
Nigeria 10
Peru 25
Philippines 23
Poland 100
Portugal 21
Romania 50
Number of graduates from non WFOT approved education programmes each year
Russia 20
Serbia 15
Spain 900
Taiwan 135
Tunisia 25
Turkey 200
Venezuela 30
Argentina
79
Armenia
Bosnia & Herzegovina
01 01
n = 46 (48%)
17
Brazil
11 8
Chile
18
China
88
Costa Rica
Croatia
01 01 1
Czech Republic
4
Dominican Republic
01
19
France
7
139
Germany
Ghana 54
11
5
Greece
Guyana
1 01
20
India 10
Indonesia
11
12
Iran
Israel
1 41 1
Italy
10
159
Japan
39
Approved
27
Republic of Korea
33
Lebanon
Lithuania
02 13
Malaysia
43 3
Mexico
7
Mongolia
01
5
Non-Approved
Netherlands
Nigeria
programmes per country/territory
Pakistan
Palestine
Peru
1 02 32 22 02
5
Philippines
17
Poland
7
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
31 12 12 33 02
Comparison between the number of WFOT approved and non WFOT approved education
Spain
14
7
Taiwan
Tunisia
3 01 1
Turkey
10
1
Ukraine
57
78
United Kingdom
Venezuela
2 34
Registration/Regulation

Countries/territories where occupational therapists need to be registered/licensed by a central/national
body to practice throughout the country/territory
Argentina* Australia Austria Bahamas Bangladesh Belgium* Bermuda Botswana Brazil
Chile China* Colombia Costa Rica Croatia Cyprus Denmark Finland Germany
Ghana Greece Guyana Iceland Indonesia Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica
Republic of
Japan Jordan Kenya Kosovo Latvia Lebanon Lithuania Luxembourg
Korea
Macau* Madagascar Malawi Mexico Mongolia Morocco Namibia Netherlands New Zealand
Nigeria Norway Peru Philippines Portugal Romania Rwanda* Saudi Arabia Serbia
Seychelles Singapore Slovenia South Africa Sri Lanka Sweden Switzerland Taiwan Tanzania
Trinidad & United United States

Thailand Uganda of America*
Venezuela Zambia Zimbabwe
Tobago Kingdom
* countries that also require occupational therapists to be registered/licensed by a regional/state body in order to
practice in certain regions of that country
n = 71 (74%)
Countries/territories where occupational therapists need to be registered/licensed by a regional/state
body in order to practice in certain regions of that country/territory
Bosnia &
Argentina* Belgium*
Herzegovina
Canada China* France
Hong Kong Iran Macau*
United States of
Palestine Spain
America*
* countries that also require occupational therapists to be registered/licensed by a national/central body

in order to practice in certain regions of that country
n = 12 (12%)
Countries/territories where occupational therapists do not need to register to
practice
Armenia Bangladesh Bulgaria Czech Republic
Estonia Georgia Haiti India
Kazakhstan Malaysia Mauritius Pakistan
Poland Russia Tunisia Turkey
Ukraine
n = 17 (18%)
Countries/territories that require occupational therapists to have graduated from a WFOT
approved education programme to apply for registration
Australia Bahamas Belgium Bermuda Botswana Cyprus
Denmark Hong Kong Iceland Iran Jamaica Kenya
Latvia Lebanon Macau Madagascar Morocco Namibia
New Zealand Norway Palestine Rwanda Slovenia Sri Lanka
Trinidad &
Sweden Switzerland Taiwan Tanzania Thailand
Tobago
United States of
Uganda United Kingdom Zambia Zimbabwe
America
n = 35 (36%)
Countries/territories where the registering/licensing organisations require occupational therapists to provide
evidence of continuing competency (e.g. continuing professional development activity) for renewal of their
registration
Australia Bermuda Canada China Croatia Denmark
Ghana Guyana Indonesia Iran Italy Jamaica
Republic of
Jordan Kenya Kosovo Latvia Lithuania
Korea
Luxembourg Macau Malawi Mongolia Namibia New Zealand
Nigeria Philippines Rwanda Saudi Arabia Serbia Seychelles
Trinidad &
South Africa Switzerland Taiwan Tanzania Thailand
Tobago
United States of
Uganda United Kingdom Zambia Zimbabwe
America
n = 41 (43%)
Countries with regulatory organisations that are known to require occupational therapists from another
country to register to provide occupational therapy services remotely to people in their country, for
example, through telehealth.
(As this may not be a complete listing, users are advised to check with individual regulatory organisations).
Argentina Armenia* Australia Bermuda Canada China
Dominican
Denmark Estonia* Ghana* India* Indonesia
Republic
Republic of
Jamaica Japan* Kenya* Kosovo Latvia
Korea*
Lithuania Macau Madagascar* Namibia Netherlands New Zealand
Palestine* Philippines Poland Portugal Romania Sri Lanka*
Trinidad & United States of

Turkey*
Tobago America
* Varies (e.g. by practice area, geographic area)
n = 18 (19%)
Membership – Occupational Therapists

Argentina 470
Armenia 5
Australia 8000
Austria 2500
Bahamas 8
Bangladesh 280
Belgium 780
n = 96 (100%)
Bermuda 11
Botswana 27
Brazil 690
Bulgaria 25
Canada 7437
Chile 217
China 434
Colombia 117
Costa Rica 20
Croatia 202
Cyprus 255
Czech Republic 250
Denmark 9600
Estonia 75
Finland 2600
France 1726
Georgia 46
Germany 10139
Ghana 43
Greece 1414
Guyana 6
Haiti 4
Hong Kong 1108
Iceland 365
India 6000
Indonesia 1800
Iran 400
Ireland 1235
Israel 700
Italy 592
Jamaica 5
Japan 61296
Jordan 24
Kazakhstan 3
Kenya 400
Kosovo 4
Latvia 172
Lebanon 80
Lithuania 70
Luxembourg 95
Macau 95
Madagascar 45
Malawi 16
Malaysia 375
Malta 50
Mauritius 50
Mexico 90
Mongolia 30
Morocco 40
Namibia 56
Netherlands 2800
New Zealand 1405
Nigeria 111
Norway 4502
Pakistan 24
Palestine 150
Peru 200
Philippines 928
Poland 30
Portugal 285
Romania 70
Russia 61
Rwanda 29
Saudi Arabia 50
Serbia 80
Seychelles 3
Singapore 400
Slovenia 315
South Africa 2957
Number of occupational therapists who are members of their national association
Spain 190
Sri Lanka 80
Sweden 9087
Switzerland 2450
Taiwan 1038
Tanzania 113
Thailand 340
Tunisia 60
Turkey 100
Uganda 300
Ukraine 40
United Kingdom 34663
Venezuela 1770
Zambia 6
Zimbabwe 10
Argentina 4
Armenia 5
Australia 32
Austria 59
Bahamas 73
Bangladesh 100
Belgium 6
n = 96 (100%)
Bermuda 31
Botswana 84
Brazil 3
Bulgaria 46
Canada 39
Chile 3
China 100
Colombia 2
Costa Rica 6
Croatia 31
Cyprus 100
Czech Republic 25
Denmark 73
Estonia 54
Finland 79
France 13
Georgia 100
Germany 16
Ghana 100
Greece 73
Guyana 100
Haiti 44
Hong Kong 42
Iceland 99
India 25
Indonesia 100
Iran 11
Ireland 42
Israel 10
Italy 26
Jamaica 100
Japan 61
Jordan 2
Kazakhstan 100
Kenya 25
Kosovo 33
Latvia 90
Lebanon 42
Lithuania 20
Luxembourg 32
Macau 83
Madagascar 100
Malawi 100
Malaysia 20
Malta 21
Mauritius 71
Mexico 12
Mongolia 100
Morocco 100
Namibia 64
Netherlands 47
New Zealand 44
Nigeria 93
Norway 84
Pakistan 6
Palestine 58
Peru 40
Philippines 45
Poland 0
Portugal 13
Romania 45
Russia 74
Rwanda 94
Saudi Arabia 25
Serbia 62
Seychelles 100
Singapore 31
Slovenia 54
South Africa 51
Spain 2
Percentage of occupational therapists that are members of their national association
Sri Lanka 67
Sweden 75
Switzerland 72
Taiwan 27
Tanzania 69
Thailand 23
Tunisia 14
Turkey 29
Uganda 86
Ukraine 53
United Kingdom 84
Venezuela 35
Zambia 60
Zimbabwe 5
Argentina 95
Armenia 90
Australia 90
Austria 80
Bahamas 82
Bangladesh 61
Belgium 90
n = 95 (95%)
Bermuda 92
Botswana 60
Brazil 90
Bulgaria 75
Canada 91
Chile 82
China 74
Colombia 93
Costa Rica 91
Croatia 88
Cyprus 70
Czech Republic 98
Denmark 92
Estonia 95
Finland 97
France 86
Georgia 98
Germany 85
Ghana 48
Greece 70
Guyana 5
Haiti 77
Hong Kong 43
Iceland 95
India 70
Indonesia 75
Iran 75
Ireland 90
Israel 95
Italy 75
Jamaica 100
Japan 62
Jordan 77
Kazakhstan 100
Kenya 50
Kosovo 8
Latvia 98
Lebanon 90
Lithuania 90
Luxembourg 90
Macau 75
Madagascar 60
Malawi 45
Malaysia 80
Mauritius 70
Mexico 80
Mongolia 93
Morocco 20
Namibia 97
Netherlands 80
New Zealand 90
Nigeria 70
Norway 89
Pakistan 99
Palestine 75
Peru 73
Philippines 90
Poland 95
Portugal 98
Romania 90
Russia 93
Rwanda 22
Saudi Arabia 70
Serbia 60
Seychelles 2
Singapore 80
Slovenia 98
South Africa 95
Spain 85
Sri Lanka 60
Percentage of occupational therapists in WFOT member organisations who are female
Sweden 90
Switzerland 95
Taiwan 66
Tanzania 57
Thailand 90
Tunisia 90
Turkey 80
Uganda 20
Ukraine 95
United Kingdom 92
Venezuela 80
Zambia 63
Zimbabwe 60
WFOT member organisations who collect information about the age groups/ranges of practicing
occupational therapists
Armenia Australia China Costa Rica Cyprus Denmark
Finland France Georgia Ghana Greece Guyana
Indonesia Israel Jamaica Japan Kenya South Korea
Kosovo Latvia Macau Malaysia Mongolia Morocco
Netherlands Norway Palestine Philippines Portugal Russia
United States of
South Africa Switzerland Taiwan Tunisia Turkey
America
n = 36 (38%)
Membership - Students

Member organisations who have a membership category for students
Bosnia &
Argentina Australia Austria Bahamas Bangladesh Belgium
Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil Bulgaria Canada China Colombia Croatia Czech Republic Denmark
Dominican
Estonia Finland France Georgia Germany Ghana Guyana
Republic
Haiti Hong Kong Iceland India Indonesia Ireland Italy Jamaica
Jordan Kenya Kosovo Latvia Luxembourg Madagascar Malawi Malaysia
Mauritius Mexico Mongolia Morocco Namibia Netherlands New Zealand Nigeria
Norway Philippines Poland Portugal Romania Saudi Arabia Serbia Singapore
Slovenia South Africa Spain Sweden Switzerland Taiwan Tanzania Thailand
Trinidad & United States of

Tobago
Turkey Uganda Ukraine United Kingdom
America
Zimbabwe
n = 71 (80%)
Argentina 31
Australia 4000
Austria 130
Bangladesh 40
n = 56 (58%)
Belgium 720
Brazil 48
Bulgaria 5
Canada 2322
Colombia 5
Croatia 20
Czech Republic 30
Denmark 1200
Estonia 18
Finland 600
France 175
Georgia 22
Germany 890
Ghana 116
Haiti 15
Hong Kong 4
Iceland 9
India 2000
Ireland 146
Italy 41
Jordan 2
Kenya 350
Kosovo 40
Latvia 20
Luxembourg 10
Madagascar 30
Malaysia 5
Mexico 85
Mongolia 27
Morocco 53
Namibia 26
Netherlands 100
New Zealand 40
Nigeria 70
Norway 594
Philippines 21
Poland 4
Portugal 32
Number of students who are members of their national association
Romania 20
Saudi Arabia 230
Serbia 10
Singapore 350
South Africa 1204
Sweden 1080
Switzerland 42
Taiwan 90
Turkey 150
Uganda 20
United Kingdom 3719

Membership – Occupational Therapy Assistants

Countries/territories that include occupational therapy assistants
Australia Bahamas Bangladesh Botswana Canada
Dominican
Ghana Greece Guyana Iceland
Republic
Ireland Japan Kazakhstan Latvia Madagascar
Malawi Mauritius Mexico Namibia New Zealand
Nigeria Philippines Poland Seychelles Singapore
South Africa Sweden Taiwan Tanzania Turkey
United States of
Ukraine United Kingdom Venezuela Zambia
America
n = 35 (36%)
Bahamas 2
Bangladesh 25
n = 25 (26%)
Bermuda 1
Botswana 12
Ghana 42
Greece 40
Kazakhstan 1
Latvia 10
Madagascar 2
Malawi 18
Mauritius 15
Mexico 106
Namibia 6
Nigeria 400
Seychelles 15
Singapore 200
South Africa 640
Taiwan 195
Tanzania 148
Turkey 350
Number of occupational therapy assistants in a member organisation’s country/territory
Ukraine 25
Venezuela 60
Zambia 2
Countries/territories where it is a requirement for occupational therapy assistants to attain a qualification
to practice
Dominican
Bahamas Bangladesh Ghana
Republic
Latvia Madagascar Malawi Mexico
Namibia Nigeria Philippines Seychelles
South Africa Taiwan Tanzania Ukraine
United States of
Zambia
America
n = 18 (19%)
WFOT member organisations that have a membership category for occupational therapy assistants
Bahamas Canada Ghana Guyana
Ireland Latvia Malawi Namibia
Nigeria Philippines Seychelles South Africa
United States of
Taiwan United Kingdom
America
n = 14 (15%)
Bahamas 2
n = 12 (12%)
Canada 54
Ghana 42
Ireland 3
Latvia 1
Malawi 3
Nigeria 200
Seychelles 15
South Africa 4
Taiwan 20
Number of occupational therapy assistants who are members of their national association
United Kingdom 570

Occupational Therapy Service Provision

Occupational therapy services provision within WFOT member organisations countries/territories (1)
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Dominican Republic
Czech Republic
Bangladesh
Hong Kong
Costa Rica
Botswana
Argentina
Colombia
Bermuda
Bahamas
Denmark
Germany
Australia
Armenia
Bulgaria
Belgium
Georgia
Guyana
Canada
Estonia
Finland
Croatia
Austria
Iceland
Cyprus
Greece
France
Ghana
China
Brazil
Chile
Haiti
Charitable organisations/ Non Governmental Organisations and Trusts ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Community Services – Education/Learning Disabilities ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Community Services – Mental Health/Substance Abuse ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Community Services – Physical Health ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Community Services – Social Care ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Government Ministries ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Individuals Homes & Home care services ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Work places ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Inpatient/Outpatient Services/Hospitals – Acute/Physical ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Inpatient/Outpatient Services/Hospitals – Mental Health/Substance Abuse ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Insurance Companies ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Nursing and residential care homes ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Occupational Health Services ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Prisons/Correctional Facilities ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Private practice ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Public Health ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Rehabilitation Centres ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Schools and education providers ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Sport and Recreation ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Universities, Education, Research ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Wheelchair Services ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
n = 95 (99%) Services provided

Republic of Korea
New Zealand
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Madagascar
Kazakhstan
Indonesia
Mauritius
Mongolia
Lithuania
Palestine
Morocco
Malaysia
Lebanon
Pakistan
Namibia
Norway
Jamaica
Kosovo
Malawi
Mexico
Nigeria
Ireland
Macau
Jordan
Kenya
Latvia
Japan
Israel
India
Peru
Italy
Iran
Charitable organisations/ Non Governmental Organisations and Trusts ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Community Services – Education/Learning Disabilities ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Community Services – Mental Health/Substance Abuse ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Community Services – Physical Health ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Community Services – Social Care ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Government Ministries ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Individuals Homes & Home care services ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Work places ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Inpatient/Outpatient Services/Hospitals – Acute/Physical ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Inpatient/Outpatient Services/Hospitals – Mental Health/Substance Abuse ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Insurance Companies ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Nursing and residential care homes ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Occupational Health Services ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Prisons/Correctional Facilities ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Private practice ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Public Health ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Rehabilitation Centres ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Schools and education providers ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Sport and Recreation ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Universities, Education, Research ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Wheelchair Services ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

United States of America

Trinidad & Tobago
United Kingdom
Saudi Arabia
South Africa
Switzerland
Philippines
Zimbabwe
Venezuela
Seychelles
Singapore
Romania
Sri Lanka
Tanzania
Portugal
Thailand
Slovenia
Rwanda
Sweden
Ukraine
Uganda
Zambia
Taiwan
Tunisia
Poland
Turkey
Russia
Serbia
Spain
Charitable organisations/ Non Governmental Organisations and Trusts ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Community Services – Education/Learning Disabilities ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Community Services – Mental Health/Substance Abuse ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Community Services – Physical Health ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Community Services – Social Care ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Government Ministries ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Individuals Homes & Home care services ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Work places ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Inpatient/Outpatient Services/Hospitals – Acute/Physical ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Inpatient/Outpatient Services/Hospitals – Mental Health/Substance Abuse ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Insurance Companies ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Nursing and residential care homes ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Occupational Health Services ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Prisons/Correctional Facilities ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Private practice ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Public Health ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Rehabilitation Centres ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Schools and education providers ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Sport and Recreation ✓ ✓ ✓
Universities, Education, Research ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Wheelchair Services ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Argentina 40
Armenia 1
Bahamas 10
Bangladesh 2
Belgium 85
Bermuda 30
n = 87 (91%)
Botswana 70
Bulgaria 6
Canada 48
Chile 35
China 92
Colombia 11
Costa Rica 40
Croatia 37
Cyprus 30
Czech Republic 90
Denmark 95
Estonia 70
Finland 50
France 52
Georgia 30
Ghana 70
Greece 10
Guyana 100
Haiti 10
Hong Kong 45
Iceland 50
India 30
Indonesia 20
Iran 50
Ireland 80
Israel 74
Italy 25
Jamaica 0
Japan 13
Jordan 30
Kenya 95
Kosovo 0
Latvia 80
Lebanon 1
Lithuania 90
Macau 96
Madagascar 72
Malawi 20
Malaysia 78
Mauritius 20
Mexico 70
Mongolia 43
Namibia 90
Netherlands 90
New Zealand 50
Nigeria 40
Norway 97
Pakistan 13
Palestine 5
Peru 50
Philippines 88
Poland 45
Portugal 38
Romania 40
Russia 10
Rwanda 29
Saudi Arabia 70
Serbia 90
Seychelles 100
Singapore 45
Slovenia 93
South Africa 43
Percentage of occupational therapists working in government/public funded positions
Spain 60
Sri Lanka 95
Sweden 83
Switzerland 50
Taiwan 25
Tanzania 54
Thailand 80
Tunisia 50
Turkey 30
Uganda 70
Ukraine 70
United Kingdom 80
Venezuela 30
Argentina 20
Armenia 50
Bahamas 0
Bangladesh 98
Belgium 5
Bermuda 33
n = 85 (88%)
Botswana 10
Bulgaria 41
Canada 8
Chile 65
China 8
Colombia 82
Costa Rica 30
Croatia 3
Cyprus 8
Czech Republic 10
Denmark 5
Estonia 30
Finland 45
France 48
Georgia 20
Ghana 25
Greece 80
Guyana 90
Haiti 90
Hong Kong 40
Iceland 25
India 25
Indonesia 80
Iran 10
Ireland 20
Israel 26
Japan 87
Jordan 70
Kazakhstan 100
Kenya 15
Kosovo 100
Latvia 5
Lebanon 40
Lithuania 10
Macau 4
Madagascar 28
Malawi 80
Malaysia 22
Mauritius 80
Mexico 30
Mongolia 57
Namibia 1
Netherlands 10
New Zealand 50
Nigeria 60
Norway 4
Pakistan 87
Palestine 95
Peru 20
Philippines 44
Poland 55
Portugal 15
Romania 60
Russia 90
Rwanda 35
Saudi Arabia 30
Serbia 1
Singapore 30
Slovenia 7
South Africa 10
Spain 40
Sri Lanka 5
Sweden 17
Switzerland 50
Percentage of occupational therapists working in non government/public funded positions
Taiwan 75
Tanzania 59
Thailand 20
Tunisia 50
Turkey 10
Uganda 30
Ukraine 30
United Kingdom 20
87
United States of America

Venezuela 70
Zimbabwe 25
Occupational Therapy Recruitment and Retention

Countries/territories with a shortage of occupational therapists for funded positions
Argentina Armenia Australia Bahamas Bangladesh Botswana Brazil
Dominican
Bulgaria Canada China Colombia Costa Rica Czech Republic
Republic
Estonia Finland France Georgia Germany Greece Haiti
Hong Kong Iceland India Iran Israel Jamaica Japan
Latvia Macau Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Mauritius Mexico
Mongolia Morocco Netherlands New Zealand Nigeria Norway Pakistan
Philippines Poland Portugal Rwanda Saudi Arabia Seychelles Singapore
South Africa Sri Lanka Sweden Switzerland Taiwan Tanzania Thailand
United States of
Turkey Ukraine United Kingdom Venezuela Zambia
America
n = 62 (65%)
Services where shortages of occupational therapists for funded positions primarily exist (1)
Dominican Republic
Czech Republic
Bangladesh
Hong Kong
Costa Rica
Botswana
Argentina
Colombia
Bahamas
Germany
Australia
Armenia
Bulgaria
Jamaica
Georgia
Canada
Estonia
Finland
Iceland
Greece
France
Kenya
Latvia
Japan
China
Brazil
Israel
India
Haiti
Iran
Charitable organisations/ Non Governmental Organisations and Trusts ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Community Services – Education/Learning Disabilities ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Community Services – Mental Health/Substance Abuse ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Community Services – Physical Health ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Community Services – Social Care ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Government Ministries ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Individuals Homes & Home care services ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Work places ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Inpatient/Outpatient Services/Hospitals – Acute/Physical ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Inpatient/Outpatient Services/Hospitals – Mental Health/Substance Abuse ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Insurance Companies ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Nursing and residential care homes ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Occupational Health Services ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Prisons/Correctional Facilities ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Private practice ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Public Health ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Rehabilitation Centres ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Schools and education providers ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Sport and Recreation ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Universities, Education, Research ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Wheelchair Services ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
n = 60 (62%) ✓ Shortage Areas

Services where shortages of occupational therapists for funded positions primarily exist (2)
United Kingdom
New Zealand
Saudi Arabia
South Africa
Netherlands
Madagascar
Philippines
Venezuela
Seychelles
Singapore
Mauritius
Mongolia
Morocco
Malaysia
Sri Lanka
Tanzania
Portugal
Pakistan
Thailand
Rwanda
Sweden
Norway
Ukraine
Malawi
Mexico
Taiwan
Nigeria
Poland
Macau
Turkey
Charitable organisations/ Non Governmental Organisations and Trusts ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Community Services – Education/Learning Disabilities ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Community Services – Mental Health/Substance Abuse ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Community Services – Physical Health ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Community Services – Social Care ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Government Ministries ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Individuals Homes & Home care services ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Work places ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Inpatient/Outpatient Services/Hospitals – Acute/Physical ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Inpatient/Outpatient Services/Hospitals – Mental Health/Substance Abuse ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Insurance Companies ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Nursing and residential care homes ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Occupational Health Services ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Prisons/Correctional Facilities ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Private practice ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Public Health ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Rehabilitation Centres ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Schools and education providers ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Sport and Recreation ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Universities, Education, Research ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Wheelchair Services ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
n = 60 (62%) ✓ Shortage Areas

Specific practice areas with shortages of occupational therapists for funded positions (1)
Argentina Armenia Australia

Rehabilitation, some geographical areas Stroke rehabilitation, mental health Aged care, mental health
Bahamas Bangladesh Botswana

Paediatrics, acute care, outpatients Mental health, dementia care Paediatric and adult neuro
rehabilitation
Canada China Colombia

Mental health, primary care, long-term Mental health, nursing and care homes, Mental health, acute care, research,
care, paediatric and school setting schools and education, vocational primary health care
services, indigenous health, rural and rehabilitation, public health, education,
remote generalist practice Government policy
Czech Republic Dominican Republic

All specialities Research, education, mental health, RBC,
Inpatient/Outpatient Services/Hospitals –
Acute/Physical, Public Health
n = 42 (44%)
Estonia Finland France

Rehabilitation in centres and hospitals, All specialities Dementia care, older people, community
services, children neuro developmental
stroke rehabilitation, dementia care,
disorders
mental health
Georgia Iceland India

Mental Health Hospitals, aged care, rehabilitation centres Aged care, paediatrics, stroke
rehabilitation, mental health in rural areas
Jamaica Japan
Iran
Paediatrics, rehabilitation, mental health, Hospitals, nursing homes, community
Mental Health aged care, schools, all specialities services
Kenya
Mental Health
n = 42 (44%)
Latvia Macau Madagascar

All specialities Schools and education, day centres All specialities
Malawi Mexico Mongolia

Insurance sector, spinal cord & stroke Substance abuse, prisons All specialities
rehabilitation, mental health and
schools
Norway Nigeria Pakistan

Community services. All specialities Stroke rehabilitation, spinal cord injury Stroke rehabilitation, autism, mental
rehabilitation, dementia care health, sensory deprivation,
community rehabilitation
Philippines Poland
Mental health Stroke rehabilitation, mental health
n = 42 (44%)
Portugal Seychelles Taiwan

Mental health Dementia care, Mental health, schools Mental health
and education , rehabilitation
Tanzania Thailand Turkey

Educators in stroke rehabilitation, Dementia care, mental health, Mental health
mental health rehabilitation, schools and education,
universities, research, community services
in all areas
Ukraine United Kingdom United States of America

All specialities Mental health, Community Services, Mental health, substance abuse
Social Care
Venezuela
Physical Rehabilitation, Child
Development, Mental health
n = 42 (44%)
Factors impacting the shortage of occupational therapists for funded positions
Weighted average scores (Four point rating scale: No impact 1, Extreme impact 4)
Other 2.29
Supply of occupational therapy assistants/technicians/support workers 2.33
Access to equipment and supplies required for occupational therapy services 2.53
Access to continuing professional development for occupational therapists 2.66
Supply of occupational therapists at a new graduate level 2.97

FACTOR
Access to occupational therapy education programmes/fieldwork placements 2.97
Career advancement opportunities for occupational therapists 3
Geographic location 3
Working conditions for occupational therapists 3.05
Supply of experienced occupational therapists 3.21
Wages for occupational therapists 3.26
Awareness/recognition of occupational therapy 3.29

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SCORE
n = 64 (68%)
Argentina 20
Armenia 3
Bahamas 90
n = 38 (40%)
Belgium 20
Bulgaria 1
Canada 139
Chile 30
Colombia 13
Costa Rica 3
Croatia 4
Cyprus 2
Estonia 3
Finland 3
Germany 78
Ghana 2
India 10
Kenya 6
Macau 12
Madagascar 2
listed
Malawi 8
Mauritius 3
Mongolia 3
Netherlands 10
Nigeria 5
Palestine 30
Philippines 2
Portugal 38
Romania 1
Rwanda 2
Seychelles 2
Singapore 25
Spain 40
Trinidad & Tobago 4

Number of international occupational therapists who applied to practice in the countries/territories
Turkey 10
Ukraine 1
United Kingdom 309


Argentina 6
Armenia 3
Bahamas 4
n = 39 (41%)
Belgium 20
Bulgaria 1
Canada 97
Chile 20
China 5
Colombia 8
Costa Rica 3
Croatia 1
Cyprus 2
Estonia 3
Finland 2
Ghana 1
India 2
Kenya 5
Macau 12
Madagascar 2
Malawi 8
Mauritius 3
Mongolia 3
countries/territories listed
Netherlands 10
Nigeria 5
Pakistan 1
Palestine 30
Philippines 2
Portugal 35
Romania 1
Rwanda 2
Seychelles 1
Singapore 20
South Africa 22
Trinidad & Tobago 4

Number of international occupational therapists who successfully gained the right to practice in the
Turkey 15
Ukraine 1
United Kingdom 291


Countries/territories where occupational therapy is known to be recognised as a shortage profession by the
government
Australia Bahamas Bangladesh Bermuda Botswana Brazil
Dominican
China Colombia Denmark Georgia Hong Kong
Republic
Iceland India Indonesia Iran Jamaica Kenya
Latvia Macau Madagascar Malawi Morocco Nigeria
Norway Pakistan Philippines Rwanda Saudi Arabia Seychelles
Trinidad &
Singapore Sri Lanka Sweden Taiwan Thailand
Tobago
Turkey Ukraine United Kingdom Venezuela
n = 42 (44%)
Countries/territories that actively recruit international occupational therapists
Bahamas Bermuda Hong Kong
Jamacia Macau Malawi
Namibia New Zealand Seychelles
Turkey United Kingdom
n = 11 (11%)
WFOT member organisations able to track the number of occupational therapists who were educated in
their country/territory and choose to practice in another country/territory
Bosnia &
Armenia Bahamas Bangladesh Bermuda Bulgaria
Herzegovina
Dominican
Georgia Ghana Greece Guyana Haiti
Republic
India Israel Kazakhstan Kenya Kosovo Latvia
Lebanon Macau Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Mongolia
Morocco Namibia Nigeria Pakistan Palestine Philippines
Trinidad &
Portugal Romania Rwanda Tanzania Turkey
Tobago
Uganda Ukraine Venezuela Zimbabwe
n = 40 (42%)
Summary

Number of practicing occupational therapists 2006 - 2022
633,339
578,737
523,860
477,169
417,235
377,928
353,848
267,124
2006 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022
Collated 2021
2019 © WFOT 2022
2020
Biennial percentage increases in the number of practicing occupational therapists in the years shown
10 10 10
9 9
2010-2012 2012-2014 2014-2016 2016-2018 2018-2020 2020-2022

Summary
Information was collated from 96 WFOT Member Organisations (98% of those surveyed)
The numbers below reflect the responses provided to WFOT from Member Organisations that
responded to this project and collate this data.
Total number of practicing occupational therapists = 633,339
Total number of WFOT approved education programmes = 991

Total number of non WFOT approved education programmes = 364
Number of occupational therapists per 10,000 head of population = mean 2

Number of occupational therapy students studying in WFOT approved education programmes = 119,977
Number of occupational therapy assistants = 57,955
Median number of occupational therapists that are female = 94%
Median number of occupational therapists working in government/public funded posts = 50%

Median number of occupational therapists working in non government/public funded posts = 40%

Summary
Areas of practice with high vacancy rates for occupational therapists (top 3):
1. Community Services – Mental Health/Substance Abuse (n=39)
2. Community Services – Education/Learning Disabilities (n=36)
3. Charitable organisations/ Non Governmental Organisations and Trusts (n=35)
3. Inpatient/Outpatient Services/Hospitals – Mental Health/Substance Abuse (n=35)
3. Rehabilitation Centres (n=35)
Specific practice areas with a shortage of occupational therapists (top 3)

1. Mental Health (n=26)
2. Stroke rehabilitation (n=7)
3. Dementia (n=6)
Factors impacting on the shortage of occupational therapists for funded positions (top 3 – weighted average)
1. Awareness/recognition of occupational therapy (3.29)
2. Wages for occupational therapists (3.26)
3. Supply of experienced occupational therapists (3.21)

Notes and Cautions
Not all organisations collate data that is requested for this project.
Missing data should not be interpreted as being not applicable; in some instances the information
is not known or unable to be provided.
All responses were requested in English and therefore reliant on accurate translations by Member
Organisations.
Each slide shows the responses that were received from each WFOT Member Organisation or the WFOT Delegate.
Figures shown may be approximate versus an exact number.
Slides 40 and 41 (check on final version) required Member Organisations to provide responses expressed as a
percentage. Not all combined responses equal 100%
2021 population data sourced from World Bank Population Data 2020; Taiwan and Palestine data sourced from
https://worldpopulationreview.com/

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS/CONTRIBUTORS
Delegates, Alternates and Member Organisations for providing the data and information for this project
Designed and compiled by Ritchard Ledgerd, WFOT Executive Director

WFOT Human Resources Project 2022 ALPH Final

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

WFOT Human Resources Project 2022 ALPH Final

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Human Resources Project 2022

Global demographics of the occupational therapy profession

Listed in alphabetical order

World Federation of Occupational Therapists | www.wfot.org

Collated 2021 © WFOT 2022

Date questionnaire first circulated: 6 May 2021

Data collection method: online, circulated by WFOT Secretariat by email

Collated 2021 © WFOT 2022

World Federation of Occupational Therapists | www.wfot.org |

Saudi Arabia 0.1

World Federation of Occupational Therapists | www.wfot.org |

Bosnia & Herzegovina 1

Bosnia & Herzegovina 36

Costa Rica 140

Czech Republic 160

Republic of Korea 4500

Bosnia & Herzegovina 10

Republic of Korea 1300

World Federation of Occupational Therapists | www.wfot.org |

Argentina* Australia Austria Bahamas Bangladesh Belgium* Bermuda Botswana Brazil

Ghana Greece Guyana Iceland Indonesia Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica

Trinidad & United United States

Canada China* France

Hong Kong Iran Macau*

* countries that also require occupational therapists to be registered/licensed by a national/central body

Armenia Bangladesh Bulgaria Czech Republic

Estonia Georgia Haiti India

Kazakhstan Malaysia Mauritius Pakistan

Poland Russia Tunisia Turkey

Australia Bahamas Belgium Bermuda Botswana Cyprus

Denmark Hong Kong Iceland Iran Jamaica Kenya

Latvia Lebanon Macau Madagascar Morocco Namibia

New Zealand Norway Palestine Rwanda Slovenia Sri Lanka

Australia Bermuda Canada China Croatia Denmark

Ghana Guyana Indonesia Iran Italy Jamaica

Luxembourg Macau Malawi Mongolia Namibia New Zealand

Nigeria Philippines Rwanda Saudi Arabia Serbia Seychelles

Argentina Armenia* Australia Bermuda Canada China

Lithuania Macau Madagascar* Namibia Netherlands New Zealand

Palestine* Philippines Poland Portugal Romania Sri Lanka*

Trinidad & United States of

* Varies (e.g. by practice area, geographic area)

World Federation of Occupational Therapists | www.wfot.org |

Armenia Australia China Costa Rica Cyprus Denmark

Finland France Georgia Ghana Greece Guyana

Indonesia Israel Jamaica Japan Kenya South Korea

Kosovo Latvia Macau Malaysia Mongolia Morocco

Netherlands Norway Palestine Philippines Portugal Russia

World Federation of Occupational Therapists | www.wfot.org |

Brazil Bulgaria Canada China Colombia Croatia Czech Republic Denmark

Haiti Hong Kong Iceland India Indonesia Ireland Italy Jamaica

Jordan Kenya Kosovo Latvia Luxembourg Madagascar Malawi Malaysia

Mauritius Mexico Mongolia Morocco Namibia Netherlands New Zealand Nigeria

Norway Philippines Poland Portugal Romania Saudi Arabia Serbia Singapore

Slovenia South Africa Spain Sweden Switzerland Taiwan Tanzania Thailand

Trinidad & United States of

United Kingdom 3719

World Federation of Occupational Therapists | www.wfot.org |

Australia Bahamas Bangladesh Botswana Canada

Ireland Japan Kazakhstan Latvia Madagascar

Malawi Mauritius Mexico Namibia New Zealand

Nigeria Philippines Poland Seychelles Singapore

South Africa Sweden Taiwan Tanzania Turkey