Global healthcare workforce faces 34.4 million professional shortage

A study by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), published in The Lancet Public Health, reveals that the world requires an additional 34.4 million healthcare professionals to achieve moderate universal health coverage. While the global health workforce grew from 40.9 million in 1990 to 122.1 million in 2023, experts describe the current situation as a “severe shortage.”

The projected deficit includes 23.9 million nurses and midwives, 7.1 million physicians, 1.8 million dentists, and 1.6 million pharmacists. Regional disparities are significant; South Asia faces a deficit of 10 million nurses and midwives and 2.6 million physicians. Sub-Saharan Africa also experiences a critical shortage, with a nurse density of only 14.5 per 10,000 inhabitants compared to 121.8 in high-income countries.

The research also highlights gender disparities within the sector. As of 2023, women comprised 68.9% of the global health workforce and accounted for 71.4% of its growth. However, women are disproportionately concentrated in lower-paying roles with fewer opportunities for leadership positions.