State of the World’s Nursing 2025 Report

On International Nurses Day (May 12), the World Health Organization (WHO), along with the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and other partners, released the State of the World’s Nursing 2025 (SoWN) report. This report provides a global snapshot of the nursing workforce, examining data from 194 countries and reflecting on trends since the previous report in 2020.

Key Highlights from the Report

• Growth in Nursing Workforce (but Unequal Distribution)
  • The global nursing workforce increased from 9 million (2018) to 29.8 million (2023).
  • However, 78% of all nurses are concentrated in countries that represent only 49% of the global population, revealing a major imbalance.
  • Many low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) still struggle with nurse shortages, affecting their ability to deliver basic healthcare services.
• Underserved region:
  • The global nursing shortfall has reduced from 2 million (2020) to 5.8 million (2023). By 2030, it may fall to 4.1 million—but this masks regional disparities.
  • Sub-Saharan Africa, parts of Asia, and conflict-affected regions remain severely underserved.
• Graduation vs Employment Mismatch in LMICs: Many poor countries are increasing the number of nursing graduates, but these gains are often wiped out by:
  • High population growth
  • Insufficient job creation
  • Low government spending on health
• Ageing Workforce in Rich Countries
  • In high-income countries, a significant portion of nurses is nearing retirement age.
  • 19% of global nurses are expected to retire by 2035, with some countries facing higher rates than they can replenish.
• International Migration and Dependency
  • 1 in 7 nurses globally are foreign-born.
  • In high-income countries, this rises to 23%, showing heavy dependence on international recruitment.
  • Low-income countries, ironically, lose nurses to richer nations while facing shortages themselves.

• Working Conditions and Mental Health: Only 42% of countries have mental health support systems for nurses. COVID-19 and increasing workloads have led to burnout, trauma, and stress—especially in underfunded settings. Improving well-being and work-life balance is essential to retain talent.
• Gender and Equity: 85% of the global nursing workforce are women. Yet, gender pay gaps, limited leadership roles, and underrepresentation in policy decisions continue to undermine gender equity in healthcare professions.
• Rise in Advanced Practice Nursing: 62% of countries now recognize Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs)—specialist nurses who can deliver higher-level care. These roles help expand access to health services, especially in rural and underserved areas.
• Leadership and Regulation: 82% of countries have a senior government nursing officer, but leadership training remains limited in low-income countries (only 25% offer structured development). Strong leadership is key to guiding nursing policy and workforce planning.

Relevance for India

• India has increased the number of nursing institutions and graduates, but still faces:
  • Urban-rural disparities in nurse availability
  • Poor working conditions in public facilities
  • Limited career advancement pathways for nurses
• Investing in public sector recruitment, training, and retention is crucial to reduce outmigration and improve rural health access.
• India should also build stronger systems for nursing leadership, mental health support, and primary care deployment.

Policy Priorities for 2026–2030

The report outlines a roadmap for countries to address gaps and inequalities:

• Invest in creating nursing jobs, especially in low-resource regions.
• Strengthen domestic nursing education and align it with health system needs.
• Ensure better pay, safer working conditions, and mental health support.
• Expand Advanced Practice Nursing and update regulations accordingly.
• Promote gender equity, particularly in leadership roles.
• Prepare nurses for climate-related health challenges.
• Use digital tools and technologies to boost efficiency and reach.
• Ensure equitable access to nursing leadership training across all countries.