The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a rise in the global nursing workforce, which grew from 27.9 million in 2018 to 29.8 million in 2023. However, the organisation raised concerns over persistent disparities in nurse distribution across regions.
In a statement released on Monday, WHO presented findings from its State of the World’s Nursing 2025 report, developed in collaboration with the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and other partners.
Despite the growth, the report noted, inequities in the global nursing workforce leave many without access to essential healthcare, threatening progress towards universal health coverage and global health security.
Although the global nursing shortage has decreased from 6.2 million in 2020 to 5.8 million in 2023, it remains a pressing issue. Projections suggest the shortage could drop further to 4.1 million by 2030.
The report found that 78 per cent of the world’s nurses are concentrated in countries that represent only 49 per cent of the global population. This imbalance leaves many low- and middle-income countries severely underserved.
WHO urged these countries to increase domestic investment in creating and sustaining nursing jobs. At the same time, high-income countries were advised to address the retirement of experienced nurses and reduce reliance on foreign-trained professionals by strengthening bilateral agreements with source countries.
Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, acknowledged progress in some regions but said the report underscores deep-rooted inequities in the global nursing landscape. He called on governments and partners to use the report as a strategic guide to close workforce gaps.
Pam Cipriano, ICN President, praised the report as a vital monitoring tool and highlighted that women make up 85 per cent of the global nursing workforce, making gender and equity crucial issues.
She also noted the significant impact of international migration, with one in seven nurses globally and 23 per cent in high-income countries being foreign-born.
Despite rising graduation rates in low-income countries, she said limited job opportunities and rapid population growth have hindered efforts to increase nurse density.
Cipriano emphasised the need to create jobs, improve working conditions, and support nurses’ mental health and well-being. She also called for investment in digital technologies, climate-responsive care, and leadership development to ensure a sustainable and effective nursing workforce.
She added that the State of the World’s Nursing 2025 report provides essential evidence to guide policy decisions and address current challenges in the nursing profession.
