WHO Reports Global Nursing Workforce Growth to 29.8 Million Despite Persistent Regional Shortages
2025
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released the State of the World’s Nursing 2025 report, revealing significant growth in the global nursing workforce from 27.9 million in 2018 to 29.8 million in 2023, while highlighting persistent inequities that threaten universal health coverage goals and healthcare systems worldwide.
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Global Progress and Persistent Challenges
The comprehensive report, published on International Nurses Day, presents both encouraging progress and concerning disparities in nursing workforce distribution worldwide. While the overall nursing shortage has decreased from 6.2 million in 2020 to 5.8 million in 2023, with projections indicating a further reduction to 4.1 million, significant regional inequities remain in healthcare delivery.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the dual nature of these findings: “This report contains encouraging news, for which we congratulate the countries that are making progress. However, we cannot ignore the inequalities that mark the global nursing landscape.”
Key Global Statistics and Trends
Workforce Growth Indicators:
- 33% increase in countries reporting nursing data since 2020
- Global nursing shortage reduction of 400,000 positions since 2020
- Projected continued improvement through targeted policy interventions
- Enhanced data collection and reporting capabilities worldwide
Gender and Diversity Patterns:
- Women continue to dominate the nursing profession at 85% of the global workforce
- 1 in 7 nurses worldwide are foreign-born
- 23% of nurses in high-income countries are internationally educated
- Increasing recognition of nursing workforce diversity needs
Regional Disparities and Challenges
High-Income Countries:
- Heavy reliance on international nurse migration
- Aging domestic nursing workforce requiring replacement
- Enhanced compensation and working conditions
- Advanced professional development opportunities
Low and Middle-Income Countries:
- Continued nursing workforce shortages
- Limited educational capacity and resources
- Brain drain to higher-income countries
- Insufficient investment in nursing education and retention
Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings:
- Extreme nursing shortages and safety concerns
- Limited healthcare infrastructure and resources
- Need for specialized protection and support measures
- International humanitarian assistance requirements
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Policy Priorities and Recommendations
Education System Strengthening:
- Domestic nursing education capacity expansion
- Faculty development and training programs
- Curriculum enhancement and standardization
- Technology integration and innovation
Working Conditions Improvement:
- Pay equity and compensation enhancement
- Mental health and well-being support programs
- Workplace safety and violence prevention
- Career advancement and professional development opportunities
Regulation and Standards:
- Advanced practice nursing role development
- Professional regulation and licensure systems
- Quality assurance and competency standards
- International recognition and mobility frameworks
Leadership Development:
- Nursing leadership capacity building
- Equitable leadership development opportunities
- Women’s leadership advancement in healthcare
- Governance and decision-making participation
Technology and Innovation Integration
Digital Health Transformation:
- Electronic health record system implementation
- Telehealth and remote care delivery
- Artificial intelligence and decision support tools
- Mobile health technology applications
Climate-Responsive Care:
- Environmental health awareness and training
- Sustainable healthcare practice development
- Climate change adaptation strategies
- Green healthcare technology adoption
Education and Training Innovation:
- Simulation-based learning environments
- Virtual reality and augmented reality integration
- Online learning platforms and distance learning
- Competency-based assessment methods
International Collaboration and Migration
Ethical Recruitment Practices:
- WHO Global Code of Practice implementation
- Fair recruitment and compensation standards
- Source country capacity protection
- Bilateral agreement development
Workforce Mobility Support:
- Credential recognition and validation systems
- Professional development and integration programs
- Cultural competency and adaptation support
- Return migration and knowledge transfer initiatives
Capacity Building Partnerships:
- International development cooperation
- Technical assistance and expertise sharing
- Resource mobilization and investment
- South-South collaboration and learning
Future Outlook and Strategic Directions
2030 Goals and Targets:
- Universal health coverage achievement
- Health workforce shortage elimination
- Gender equity and professional advancement
- Climate-responsive healthcare delivery
Innovation and Technology:
- Artificial intelligence integration in nursing practice
- Precision medicine and personalized care
- Robotics and automation in healthcare
- Digital health platform development
Professional Recognition:
- Nursing contribution visibility and recognition
- Policy influence and decision-making participation
- Professional autonomy and scope of practice expansion
- Career pathway diversification and advancement
The State of the World’s Nursing 2025 report serves as a crucial roadmap for global health leaders, demonstrating both progress achieved and work remaining to ensure adequate nursing workforce capacity for universal health coverage, global health security, and sustainable healthcare systems worldwide. The report emphasizes the critical role of registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and healthcare professionals in achieving patient care excellence and public health goals.
Source: WHO – Nursing Workforce Grows But Inequities Threaten Goals
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