Objective To evaluate the human resource allocation in microbiological laboratories in provincial centers for disease control and prevention（CDCs）in China, and provide evidence for the improvement of the human resource allocation for microbiology testing in the CDCs.

Methods Based on the national provincial CDC laboratory human resource data in 2019 and 2023, agglomeration degree and Dagum Gini coefficient were used to evaluate the fairness of human resource allocation in microbiological testing field and regional differences in China in terms of two dimensions: population and geographic area.

Results In 2023, a total of 1 228 laboratory workers were engaged in microbiological testing in provincial CDCs in China, an increase of 8.96% compared with 2019. They were mainly women aged 31−< 41 years, those with master's degrees and doctoral degree accounted for nearly 60%. The fairness analysis results showed that the overall Gini coefficient was above 0.40, and 15 provincial CDCs had insufficient microbiological testing work forces. However, compared with 2019, most provincial CDCs showed gradual improvement in the fairness of the human resource allocation in terms of population. The overall differences in human resource allocation were mainly from regional differences.

Conclusion The human resource allocation in provincial CDCs has been improved, but the problems of insufficient work force and unbalanced regional distribution still exist. It is suggested to consider indicators such as "high concentration" and "accessibility", and develop human resource allocation standards in microbiological testing field in provincial CDCs in different regions, to further improve the human resource allocation in CDCs in China and facilitate the balanced regional development in China.