Overview
The World Health Organization (WHO), International Council of Nurses (ICN), and partners have published the State of the World’s Nursing 2025 Report, revealing significant growth in the global nursing workforce from 27.9 million in 2018 to 29.8 million in 2023.
The 2025 edition of the State of the world’s nursing provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of the nursing workforce. The report features new indicators on critical areas for nursing, such as education capacity, advanced practice nursing and remuneration. In addition to the 12 policy priorities from the Global strategic directions for nursing and midwifery 2021–2025, there are five additional policy priorities and a compilation of data from each WHO region. Country profiles reflect each country’s national data and are available for download from the WHO National Health Workforce Accounts data portal.
Key findings
- The global nursing workforce has grown from 27.9 million in 2018 to 29.8 million in 2023, with a promising reduction in the global shortage—from 6.2 million in 2020 to 5.8 million in 2023. Projections suggest this could drop to 4.1 million by 2030.
- The overall progress still masks deep regional disparities: approximately 78% of the world’s nurses are concentrated in countries representing just 49% of the global population. LMICs are facing challenges in graduating, employing and retaining nurses in the health system and will need to raise domestic investments to create and sustain jobs.
- Gender and equity remain central concerns in the nursing workforce. Women continue to dominate the profession, making up 85% of the global nursing workforce.
- Findings suggest that 1 in 7 nurses worldwide – and 23% in high-income countries – are foreign-born, highlighting reliance on international migration.
Policy priorities for 2026–2030
The report introduces forward-looking policy priorities, calling on countries to:
- Expand and equitably distribute nursing jobs, especially in underserved regions;
- Strengthen domestic education systems and align qualifications with defined roles;
- Improve working conditions, pay equity, and mental well-being support;
- Further develop nursing regulation and advanced practice nursing roles;
- Promote gender equity and protect nurses working in fragile, conflict-affected settings;
- Harness digital technologies and prepare nurses for climate-responsive care; and
- Advance nursing leadership and ensure leadership development opportunities are equitable.
Featured story from Nepal: School Health and Nursing Service Programme in Nepal
The Ministry of Health and Population endorsed the School Health and Nursing Service Programme in 2019 to ensure the presence of health personnel in schools and deliver essential health services. The programme aims to promote a healthy lifestyle among adolescents by certifying schools as “Health Promoting Schools” and implement national health initiatives such as nutrition, vaccination and sexual and reproductive health education. It fosters a safe, supportive school environment, emphasizing health education for behavioural change, mental health promotion, first aid, and protection from accidents, injuries and substance abuse. Regular health screenings and timely referrals to health facilities help address health issues, while the programme works to reduce absenteeism and dropout rates. Achievements include successful implementation of deworming programmes, iron and folic acid supplementation for adolescent girls, and vaccination coverage (COVID-19; measles, mumps and rubella – MMR; typhoid). Health education has raised awareness on disease prevention and healthy lifestyles, contributing to safer communities. School absenteeism has decreased, and mental health initiatives through counselling and socioemotional learning have been promoted. Additionally, schools have developed disaster preparedness plans with regular drills.The programme plays a vital role in improving adolescent health and advancing Nepal’s UHC goals.. (p.23)
Happy International Nurses Day 2025: Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies!
Related readings
- State of the World’s Nursing Report – 2020
- International Nurses Day
- State of the World’s Nursing Report-2020: Country Profile- Nepal
