WHO: 5.8M Nurse Shortage Despite 29.8M Workforce Growth in 2025

Tejal Somvanshi

Global nursing workforce reached 29.8 million in 2023, yet millions still lack access to basic healthcare

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78% of nurses work in countries with only 49% of world population - the distribution crisis nobody talks about

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Nursing shortage dropped from 6.2 million to 5.8 million, but WHO projects 4.1 million gap by 2030

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23% of nurses in rich countries are foreign-born compared to just 1-3% in poor nations

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Women make up 85% of nursing workforce yet only 25% of low-income countries offer leadership training

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Only 42% of countries provide mental health support for nurses despite pandemic trauma

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19% of nurses plan to retire within next decade while 20 countries face critical shortages

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Advanced practice nursing roles expanded to 62% of countries, up from 53% in 2020

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Low-income countries graduate nurses faster than rich nations but struggle to create jobs

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Ethical recruitment agreements needed as brain drain threatens healthcare systems globally

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