Global Nursing Workforce Disparities: Nursing Workforce Grows – But Inequities Could Undermine Health Equity

A new report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Council of Nurses (ICN) reveals both progress and persistent gaps in the global nursing landscape. The State of the World’s Nursing 2025 report shows that the global nursing workforce reached 29.8 million in 2023, up from 27.9 million in 2018. Yet, this growth is uneven – and wide disparities in nurse distribution continue to leave vulnerable populations behind.

“We can’t ignore the inequalities that mark the global nursing landscape,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

Key Insights from the Report

• Global nursing shortage is shrinking: From 6.2 million in 2020 to 5.8 million in 2023, with a projected drop to 4.1 million by 2030.
• Nurse distribution remains unequal: 78% of nurses work in countries that serve only 49% of the world’s population.
• Low-income countries struggle with limited nurse training and employment opportunities.
• High-income countries face retirement waves and rely heavily on foreign-trained nurses, especially in Europe and North America.

Gender, Migration, and Mental Health Realities

• 85% of nurses are women, yet gender equity and leadership access are still limited.
• 1 in 7 nurses worldwide is foreign-born, highlighting imbalances in global migration.
• Only 42% of countries provide mental health support for nurses – a critical gap post-COVID-19.

Graduation vs Employment: The Disconnect

Low-income nations are increasing nurse graduation rates, but job creation is not keeping pace, especially in fast-growing populations. Countries must invest in hiring and retention, not just training.

The Next 5 Years: Priorities for 2026 – 2030

The WHO outlines clear next steps to strengthen the global nursing workforce:

• Expand nursing jobs, especially in underserved areas
• Invest in education and align qualifications with roles
• Improve working conditions, pay, and mental well-being
• Advanced nursing regulation and leadership training
• Promote gender equity and protect nurses in crisis settings
• Harness digital tools and train for climate-related health risks

Why This Matters

Stronger nursing systems mean stronger health systems. With nurses on the frontlines of care, global health security and universal health coverage (UHC) cannot be achieved without addressing these inequities.

“Delivering on UHC is dependent on recognising the value of nurses,” said Pam Cipriano, ICN President, “and on harnessing their power to drive positive change.”

Read the full State of the World’s Nursing 2025 report, advocate for investment in nurse education and fair distribution, and support mental health and leadership development initiatives.