Global shortfall of 5.9 million nurses

There is a shortage of 5.9 million nurses across the globe, a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO), Nursing Now and the International Council of Nurses (ICN) has warned. The first State of the World’s Nursing (SOWN) report, which was launched to mark World Health Day on April 7, calls for urgent investment in nursing. 

The seminal report provides the evidence and data to inform governments of where investment should go in order to have the biggest impact on population health. Its main messages to governments are about investing in a massive expansion of nurse education, creating six million new nursing jobs by 2030, and strengthening nursing leadership. The SOWN report provides an unprecedented analysis of the size and nature of the nursing workforce across the globe, drawn from data on the world’s 27.9 million nurses, from the WHO’s 191 member states. The report has added significance during 2020 the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, underlining the fundamental contribution of nurses and midwives to the delivery and sustainability of healthcare and broader society. 

To meet current and future health needs, the report recommends: 

• An 8% increase in the number of nursing graduates each year up to 2030

 • An expansion of advanced nurse practice and nurse-led units 

• More n u rs i n g p o s i t i o n s funded globally 

• Fair remuneration and strong retention measures. 

Added to the global shortfall of 5.9 million nurses, the report warned that an ageing nursing workforce “threatens the stability” of nursing, particularly in Europe. In addition, it said that high-income countries such as Ireland have an “excessive reliance” on international nursing mobility. According to the report, there are almost 28 million nurses worldwide, with an increase of 4.7 million nurses between 2013-2018. But this still leaves a global shortfall of 5.9 million nurses. The report highlights issues of gender inequality, migration of labour and the representation of nurses and midwives at the senior decision-making level. It identifies essential gaps in the nursing workforce. It highlights priority areas for investment in nursing education, jobs and leadership to strengthen nursing around the world and avert the global shortage. 

The SOWN report presents a compelling case on the value of nursing. ICN president Annette Kennedy, said: “Every penny invested in nursing raises the wellbeing of people and families in tangible ways that are clear for everyone to see. This report highlights the nursing contribution and confirms that investment in the nursing profession is a benefit to society, not a cost”. WHO secretary-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu, said: “The world needs to learn from Covid-19 that it is essential to invest more in nursing. This report is a stark reminder of the unique role nurses play, and a wake-up call to ensure they get the support they need to keep the world healthy.” INMO president Martina Harkin-Kelly, said: “Covid-19 has shown us how vital nursing and midwifery is to global health and wellbeing. Many warnings on staffing were not heeded before this pandemic – we cannot allow a global nursing shortage to hamper our response to future public health emergencies. This report must be the basis for immediate action in Ireland and globally to support the retention of nurses.”

 The full report is available at: www.who. int/publications-d