Italy faces nursing shortages and regional healthcare disparities

Italy is experiencing significant regional imbalances in healthcare staffing, according to the Istat BES 2026 report. While the national average stands at approximately 7.3 nurses and midwives per 1,000 inhabitants, the figure has remained largely stagnant since 2021 despite an aging population.

Regional disparities are stark: Bolzano reports 9.6 professionals per 1,000 residents, whereas Campania reports only 5.4. Other low-ranking regions include Calabria and Sicily. In contrast, Lombardy falls below the national average with 6.8 per 1,000 inhabitants.

In the Vicenza region, the Ulss 8 Berica reported a loss of 120 nurses over one year due to retirements and resignations. Although the health authority successfully recruited 124 new staff members to cover the gap, union representatives from Nursind warn that current staffing levels are only sufficient to maintain existing services and are inadequate for opening new community health facilities.