FMGE Pass Rate by Country — Which Countries Produce the Best Prepared Graduates?

For Indian students planning to pursue MBBS abroad, one question matters long after admission: Will I be able to clear the FMGE and practise medicine in India?

With thousands of Indian students studying medicine overseas every year, the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) has become an important benchmark when comparing medical education destinations.

But does studying in a particular country automatically mean a higher chance of clearing FMGE?

Not necessarily.

Country-wise FMGE statistics can provide useful clues, but they should be considered alongside the university, curriculum, clinical exposure, language of instruction, student preparation and individual academic performance.

In this guide, My Career My Future (MCMF) looks at available FMGE performance data and explains what the numbers actually tell students and parents.

What Is FMGE?

The Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) is a screening test for eligible Indian citizens and overseas citizens of India who have received their primary medical qualification outside India and are eligible to appear for it.

The examination is conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS).

The pass percentage has traditionally been quite low for the examination. For instance, the combined 2024 data reported a figure of roughly 79,000 candidates appearing for the exam and 20,382 qualifying, a figure that gives an overall pass percentage of approximately 25.8%.

This makes the FMGE performance one of the key considerations when making an MBBS abroad decision.

FMGE Pass Rate by Country: 2024 Data

The following figures represent combined 2024 performance reported from the June and December sessions and cover major destinations chosen by Indian medical students.

The overall 2024 FMGE pass rate was approximately 25.8%, so these figures show considerable variation between countries.

Which Countries Had Higher FMGE Pass Rates?

Looking at the 2024 figures, Georgia recorded the highest pass rate among the major MBBS-abroad destinations listed above, at approximately 35.65%.

Bangladesh followed at around 32.38%, while Ukraine and Nepal were around 31.14% and 30.12%, respectively. Russia recorded approximately 29.54%.

However, these figures should not be interpreted as a ranking of the quality of medical education in each country.

A pass percentage tells us how a particular group of FMGE candidates performed. It does not, by itself, establish why they performed that way.

Why Do the Country Wise FMGE Pass Rate Matters?

The country in which one wishes to study medicine can impact several factors regarding one's medical education.

Curriculum

The curriculum of the medical program can influence the exam's outcome.

One must research if the university offers sufficient training in the subjects tested in the FMGE such as:

• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Biochemistry
• Pathology
• Pharmacology
• Microbiology
• Community Medicine
• Medicine
• Surgery
• Obstetrics & Gynaecology
• Paediatrics

Clinical Exposure

Medical education is not restricted to the theoretical aspect; one must research the affiliations, patients' exposure, rotations, and practical trainings offered by the university.

Language of Instruction

Another critical factor is the language of instruction.

While the FMGE exam is conducted in English, the clinical exposure may require one to interact with local patients and staff, who may not be as proficient in the language as one would expect.

University Specific Performance

The most important factor to consider, however, is the performance of the university in question.

A higher average percentage in a country does not necessarily mean that any given university in that country will offer the same results.

As mentioned in the 2024 report, the FMGE pass percentages can greatly vary between universities of the same country. There were cases where the pass percentage of a certain university exceeded the country's average by a significant margin. Hence, basing one's decision solely on the country's average ignores important information about one's chances at a specific university.

Georgia: What do the Numbers Say?

The country of Georgia is a popular choice among Indian students who wish to pursue an English medium MBBS.

In the 2024 Country wise list, Georgia had approximately 4,221 appeared candidates and 1,505 successful candidates, a staggering 35.65 % pass rate.

This is significantly higher than the overall 2024 FMGE average of approximately 25.8%.

However, upon further inspection, one can see that there were universities which had a much higher success rate than the country's average. In the case of Georgia, the Georgian American University was reported to have a substantially higher pass percentage than the country's average in 2024, albeit with a much lower number of appeared candidates compared to the country's total appeared candidates.

This serves as a reminder that one must research the specific university in question, not just the country.

Russia: Huge Pool of FMGE Candidates, But Many Universities

Russia remains one of the most preferred destinations for Indian students studying MBBS abroad.

In the year 2024:

• 11,276 candidates appeared
• 3,331 candidates cleared
• An approximate pass percentage of 29.54%

Due to the large number of Russian medical universities, their academic structures and clinical environments may vary.

Therefore, it is advised to compare universities on an individual basis instead of considering the entire country as a singular entity.

Bangladesh and Nepal: Popular Regional Destinations

Bangladesh had a FMGE pass percentage of around 32.38% in 2024, whereas Nepal has a figure of around 30.12% in the given data per country.

The proximity to India, as well as a number of similar features in terms of medical education, may make them appealing to some Indian students.

Still, it is necessary to take a closer look at:

• The recognition of the universities
• The availability of clinical training
• Details on internships
• The language of instructions
• FMGE/NMC eligibility criteria
• The performance of the specific university
• The overall cost of education

Why You Should Not Choose an MBBS Country Based Only on FMGE Pass Rate

This is perhaps the most important takeaway from the data.

Suppose Country A has a 35% pass rate and Country B has a 30% pass rate.

It would be incorrect to conclude that every university in Country A is better than every university in Country B.

There can be major differences between individual medical universities.

A university with strong academic support and clinical exposure may produce better outcomes than another university in the same country with a weaker academic environment.

Similarly, a student's own preparation, attendance, study habits and FMGE strategy can significantly influence the final result.

What Should Students Consider Before Selecting An MBBS Abroad University?

Instead of looking at the question "Which country has the highest FMGE pass rate?", students should look at a much wider set of criteria.

Here is a suggested criteria list for evaluating universities abroad offering MBBS:

1. Is the university eligible as per the applicable NMC regulations

Since the applicable NMC regulations for admissions are subject to change, students should use the latest available information as on date while making their decision.

2. What is the FMGE performance of the university?

While FMGE data at a country level can give students an idea about general trends, the FMGE performance of individual universities can be a much better guide.

3. How much clinical exposure is provided?

Students should go beyond the infrastructure of the medical college and ask about the affiliated teaching hospitals and their involvement in the curriculum.

4. What is the medium of instruction?

Students should confirm if the complete programme (and especially the clinical part) is in English and what language proficiency requirements (if any) apply during the clinical years.

5. What is the course structure?

Students need to be aware of the programme duration, internship, clinical years, and the distribution of the entire curriculum.

6. How transparent is the admission process?

Students should look for clarity around costs (tuition fees, living expenses, etc.), documentation, eligibility criteria and other relevant aspects.

7. What are the licensing requirements and support in India after graduation?

Students should understand the process for getting licensed in India as well as any additional tests or requirements that apply to foreign medical graduates.

FMGE Data Is A Starting Point, Not An End

One of the most common mistakes students can make while using FMGE data is to assume that a higher pass percentage for a country means that they are guaranteed to pass the exam after graduating from any university in that country.

Likewise, students should not assume that a country with a lower overall pass percentage has no good universities.

In other words, while the pass percentages are a useful indicator, they should be used as a starting point while comparing universities.

What Should Parents and Students Take From the Data?

The 2024 figures suggest that FMGE performance varied significantly between countries.

Georgia, Bangladesh, Ukraine, Nepal and Russia, among other destinations, report mixed country-level results, while countries such as China and the Philippines report large candidate populations who had lower reported pass percentages in the cited dataset.

But the most important lesson is that:

Don't pick a country based solely on a high FMGE percentage. Pick the university based on a thorough review of the academic and clinical offerings.

A good MBBS-abroad decision should weigh regulatory eligibility, university quality, clinical exposure, academic support, total cost and the student's capacity to prepare for the Indian licensing pathway

Frequently Asked Questions

Which country has the highest FMGE pass rate?

Out of the major MBBS-abroad destinations listed in the 2024 country-wise data mentioned above, Georgia recorded approximately a 35.65%, while Bangladesh recorded approximately a 32.38%.

What is the overall FMGE pass rate in 2024?

The combined 2024 data suggests an overall pass rate of approximately 25.8%.

Is Russia good for FMGE?

Russia recorded approximately a 29.54% in the 2024 country-wise data, however students should be aware that the actual performance of individual Russian Universities may vary and be sure to compare the statistics of the specific University they are considering.

Is Georgia good for FMGE?

Georgia recorded approximately a 35.65% in the 2024 data that was above the overall reported 2024 rate, however one should be aware of the different University specific performance, training, and the student's personal performance.

Does a high country's FMGE pass rate ensure that I will pass?

Not necessarily, as historical pass rates for countries are only statistical indicators and should not be presumed to reflect an individual's result.

What is more important: country or university?

Both, while the statistical data for a country can be a good indicator, the FMGE performance of a specific University can have a different result than the overall rate of a country. Students should be aware of these differences and do their own research on the University they're considering.

Final Takeaway

While FMGE statistics can be one of the most important information points for research into MBBS abroad, it should never be the sole deciding factor.

The 2024 data shows that pass rates vary across nations, with Georgia at 35.65%, Bangladesh at 32.38%, Ukraine at 31.14%, Nepal at 30.12% and Russia at 29.54% as the major destinations on the list.

However, the better question is not "Which country has the highest FMGE pass rate?"

The better question is

Which university offers the academic foundation, clinical exposure and regulatory pathway that can help me prepare effectively for medical practice in India?

At My Career My Future (MCMF), we work to make sure students and parents understand MBBS-abroad options beyond just the advertisements and headline fee figures. From university selection and eligibility to country comparisons and admission guidance, the goal is to help students make an informed decision based on their individual requirements.

My Career My Future (MCMF)

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Note: FMGE statistics can vary by session, year, reporting methodology and candidate cohort. Country-level percentages should therefore be treated as historical data rather than a guarantee of future performance. Always verify the latest regulatory requirements and official examination information before admission.