The global workforce of nursing went from 27.9 million in 2018 to 29.8 million in 2023, but large disparities in the availability of nurses remain in regions and countries, according to the Report on the state of the world of nursing 2025,, published By the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Nursing Council (ICN) and partners. The inequalities in the world’s labor care workforce leaves a large part of the world’s population without access to essential health services, which could threaten progress towards universal health coverage (UHC), global health security and health development objectives.
The new report published during the International Nursing Day provides a complete and up-to-date analysis of the nursing labor at global, regional and country levels. The consolidation of information from the 194 WHO Member States, the evidence indicates global progress in reducing the shortage of nursing labor from 6.2 million in 2020 to 5.8 million in 2023, with a projection to decrease to 4.1 million by 2030. But global progress still masks regional disparities: around 78% of the world population.
Countries with low and intermediary income are faced with challenges in diplomas, employment and nursing home in the health system and will have to increase domestic investments to create and maintain jobs. In parallel, high -income countries must be ready to manage high levels of retirement nurses and to review their dependence on nurses trained abroad, to strengthen bilateral agreements with the countries to which they recruit.
“This report contains encouraging news, for which we congratulate the countries that make progress,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “However, we cannot ignore the inequalities that mark the world’s nursing landscape. At the International Nursing Day, I urge countries and partners to use this report as a sign, showing from where we come from, where we are now and where we have to go – as quickly as possible. “
Key conclusions
Report on the state of nursing in the world in 2025 (sown)Based on the data reported by 194 countries through national health labor accounts, shows a 33% increase in the number of countries declaring data since the last edition in 2020. It includes profiles from detailed countries now available for online public access.
The report reveals complex disparities between and between countries, regions and socio-economic contexts. Data and evidence are intended to support the country -led dialogue to contextualize the results in policies and actions.
“We welcome the SOWN 2025 report as an important step in monitoring progress in the strengthening and support of nursing labor towards global health objectives,” said Pam Cipriano, president of the International Council of Nurses. “The report clearly exposes the inequalities that retain the nursing profession and act as an obstacle to the realization of universal health coverage (UHC). The delivery of the CUHC really depends on the value of nurses and the exploitation of power and the influence of nurses to act as catalysts of positive change in our health systems. ”
Sex and equity remain central concerns about nursing labor. Women continue to dominate the profession, representing 85% of the global workforce for nursing.
The results suggest that 1 in 7 nurse worldwide – and 23% in high -income countries – was born abroad, highlighting dependence on international migration. On the other hand, the proportion is significantly lower in countries with higher intermediate income (8%), lower intermediate income countries (1%) and low -income countries (3%).
Low -income countries increase nursing graduates figures at a faster rate than high -income countries. In many countries, gains hard earned in the nursing graduation rate does not result in improved densities due to the faster rate of population growth and the drop in employment possibilities. To remedy this, countries should create jobs to ensure that graduates are hired and integrated into the health system and improve working conditions.
Age demography and retirement trends reveal a mixed image. The global workforce for nursing is relatively young: 33% of nurses are under 35, against 19% who should retire over the next 10 years. However, in 20 countries – mainly high income – retirement should exceed new entrants, raise concerns about nursing deficits and have fewer experienced nurses to supervise nurses at the start of their careers.
About two -thirds (62%) of countries have declared the existence of advanced nursing roles – marking significant progress since 2020 (where only 53% have declared nursing roles of advanced practice). These types of nurses have been shown to expand access and quality of care in many different contexts.
The report also highlights improvements in nursing leadership: 82% of countries said they had a senior government nursing official to manage nursing care. However, leadership development opportunities remain unequal. While 66% of countries say they have such initiatives in place, only 25% of low -income countries offer structured leadership development.
Mental health and well-being of the workforce remain areas of concern. Only 42% of responding countries have provisions for the support of mental health of nurses, despite the increase in workloads and trauma suffered during and from the Pandemic COVID-19. Tackling this is essential to maintain qualified professionals and ensure the quality of care.
Political priorities for 2026-2030
The report presents prospective political priorities, calling countries to:
- Extend and distribute nurses fairly, in particular in poorly served regions;
- strengthen national education systems and align qualifications with defined roles;
- Improve working conditions, equity and support for mental well-being;
- further develop nursing regulations and advanced nursing roles;
- Promote gender equity and protect nurses working in fragile environments affected by conflicts;
- operate digital technologies and prepare nurses for care sensitive to climate; And
- Advance the nursing leadership and guarantee that the development opportunities of leadership are fair.
The evidence in the report ensure a momentum for a continuous alignment on the political priorities of the WHO Global strategic directions for nursing and midwives 2021-2025and the actions recommended in the resolution subject to 78th World Health Assembly: Accelerate action on health and care labor by 2030.
Note to publishers:
THE World nursing state 2025 The report presents the most contemporary evidence on the global workmanship of nursing, in particular education, employment, migration, regulations, working conditions, leadership and more. The report includes updated indicators and robust estimates on world and regional nursing stock, shortage and projections until 2030. Online county profiles provide data at national level in a downloadable format (PDF).