The new report released on International Nurses Day provides a comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of the nursing workforce at global, regional and country levels. Consolidating information from WHO’s 194 Member States, the evidence indicates global progress in reducing the nursing workforce shortage from 6.2 million in 2020 to 5.8 million in 2023, with a projection to decline to 4.1 million by 2030. But, the overall progress still masks deep regional disparities: approximately 78% of the world’s nurses are concentrated in countries representing just 49% of the global population.
"This report contains encouraging news, for which we congratulate the countries that are making progress,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “However, we cannot ignore the inequalities that mark the global nursing landscape. On International Nurses Day, I urge countries and partners to use this report as a signpost, showing us where we’ve come from, where we are now, and where we need to go – as rapidly as possible.”
The report reveals complex disparities between and among countries, regions and socio-economic contexts. The data and evidence are intended to support country-led dialogue to contextualize the findings into policies and actions.
Gender and equity remain central concerns in the nursing workforce. Women continue to dominate the profession, making up 85% of the global nursing workforce.
Low-income countries are increasing nurse graduate numbers at a faster pace than high-income countries. In many countries, hard-earned gains in the graduation rate of nurses are not resulting in improved densities due to the faster pace of population growth and lower employment opportunities. To address this, countries should create jobs to ensure graduates are hired and integrated into the health system and improve working conditions.
Around two thirds (62%) of countries reported the existence of advanced practice nursing roles – marking significant progress since 2020 (where only 53% reported advanced practice nursing roles). These types of nurses have been shown to expand access to and quality of care in many different settings.
Mental health and workforce well-being remain areas of concern. Only 42% of responding countries have provisions for nurses’ mental health support, despite increased workloads and trauma experienced during and since the COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing this is essential to retain skilled professionals and ensure quality of care.
Policy priorities for 2026–2030
expand and equitably distribute nursing jobs, especially in underserved regions;strengthen domestic education systems and align qualifications with defined roles;improve working conditions, pay equity, and mental well-being support;further develop nursing regulation and advanced practice nursing roles;promote gender equity and protect nurses working in fragile, conflict-affected settings;harness digital technologies and prepare nurses for climate-responsive care; andadvance nursing leadership and ensure leadership development opportunities are equitable.
The evidence in the report provides an impetus for continued alignment to the policy priorities in the WHO Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery 2021–2025, and the actions recommended in the resolution submitted to the 78th World Health Assembly: Accelerating action on the health and care workforce by 2030.
Note to editors:
The State of the World’s Nursing 2025 report presents the most contemporary evidence on the global nursing workforce, including education, employment, migration, regulation, working conditions, leadership and more. The report includes updated indicators and robust estimates on global and regional-level nursing stock, shortage, and projections to 2030. Online county profiles provide national level data in a downloadable (PDF) format.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Nursing workforce grows, but inequities threaten global health goals )
Also on site :