WHO Highlights Global Nursing Workforce Challenges and Collaboration on Nurses Day 2026

At the same time, WHO warned that despite growth in the global nursing workforce, major inequalities in access to nurses continue to threaten healthcare delivery in many parts of the world.

On International Nurses Day 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) Academy paid tribute to nurses and midwives worldwide, recognizing their critical role in strengthening healthcare systems, expanding universal health coverage (UHC), and responding to evolving global health challenges.

At the same time, WHO warned that despite growth in the global nursing workforce, major inequalities in access to nurses continue to threaten healthcare delivery in many parts of the world.

According to the newly released State of the World's Nursing 2025 report, the number of nurses globally increased from 27.9 million in 2018 to 29.8 million in 2023. However, the report also revealed a deep imbalance in workforce distribution, with approximately 78 percent of the world's nurses concentrated in countries representing only 49 percent of the global population.

Health experts say these disparities are leaving millions of people without adequate access to essential healthcare services.

Global Nursing Shortages Threaten Universal Health Coverage

WHO officials warned that unequal access to trained nurses and midwives could slow progress toward universal health coverage, weaken global health security, and undermine broader international development goals.

Many low-income and developing countries continue to struggle with severe shortages of healthcare workers, especially in rural and underserved areas.

Dr Amelia Latu Afuhaamango Tuipulotu, WHO Chief Nursing Officer, stressed that addressing the global nursing gap requires more than financial investment alone.

She emphasized the importance of stronger international cooperation, knowledge-sharing, and coordinated action among governments, educational institutions, and healthcare organizations.

According to WHO, strengthening the nursing workforce is essential for improving disease prevention, maternal healthcare, emergency response systems, and long-term public health resilience.

WHO Collaborating Centres Play Key Global Role

A major part of WHO's global strategy involves its network of WHO Collaborating Centres in Nursing and Midwifery.

These centres, officially designated by the WHO Director-General, support healthcare training, research, policy development, and workforce strengthening at national, regional, and global levels.

Today, more than 800 WHO collaborating centres operate across over 80 countries, including 45 centres specifically focused on nursing and midwifery across all six WHO regions.

The network functions as an international platform for collaboration, allowing institutions to exchange expertise, coordinate strategies, and develop solutions to shared healthcare challenges.

WHO says the network's activities are guided by the four pillars of the Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery (SDNM):

• Education

• Jobs

• Leadership

• Service delivery

International Cooperation Expands Healthcare Capacity

WHO officials highlighted several recent examples of regional collaboration that have helped strengthen nursing and midwifery systems worldwide.

The WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Development at the University of Technology Sydney, which serves as the Secretariat of the global network, recently coordinated policy dialogues across 13 Pacific island nations.

These discussions focused on translating findings from the State of the World's Nursing 2025 report into practical policy reforms aligned with WHO's strategic nursing goals.

Similarly, the Caribbean Community Regional Nursing Body supported 17 Caribbean nations in updating regional nursing strategies, while WHO collaborating centres in Europe worked together to develop a sub-regional nursing and midwifery strategy for Central Asian countries.

Experts say such cooperation is becoming increasingly important as healthcare systems worldwide face growing pressure from ageing populations, workforce shortages, infectious diseases, and climate-related health emergencies.

Pacific Partnership Framework Strengthens Local Education

One of the network's newest initiatives is the Principles of Partnership Framework, recently launched by the University of Technology Sydney's WHO Collaborating Centre.

The framework combines traditional Pacific knowledge systems with Western participatory research methods to improve nursing and midwifery education across Pacific Island nations.

The approach aims to ensure healthcare training is culturally relevant while also strengthening professional standards and community-based healthcare delivery.

WHO officials say locally adapted education systems are essential for building resilient health workforces capable of meeting regional needs effectively.

WHO Academy Expands Global Learning Role

In 2026, WHO further strengthened its focus on healthcare workforce development by relocating the WHO Office of the Chief Nurse and the WHO Health Workforce Department to the WHO Academy in Lyon, France.

The restructured WHO Academy is now being positioned as the organization's global centre of excellence for health workforce education, training, and professional development.

The Academy aims to connect healthcare data, policy, education, and practical training to create a more integrated approach to workforce strengthening across the entire healthcare sector.

WHO believes this centralized learning model will help countries improve workforce planning, strengthen skills development, and expand access to high-quality training resources for nurses and midwives worldwide.

Nurses and Midwives Remain Central to Global Healthcare

Nurses and midwives form the backbone of healthcare systems in nearly every country, often serving as the first and most accessible point of care for patients.

They play critical roles in:

• Primary healthcare

• Maternal and newborn care

• Vaccination campaigns

• Emergency response

• Chronic disease management

• Community health services

The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the importance of nurses and midwives, many of whom worked under extreme pressure and dangerous conditions during global health emergencies.

Despite their essential role, healthcare worker shortages, burnout, migration, low wages, and limited career opportunities continue to affect the profession in many regions.

WHO Calls for Continued Investment and Leadership

WHO officials say sustained investment in nursing education, workforce protection, leadership development, and professional support will be crucial for strengthening healthcare systems in the coming decades.

Professor Michele Rumsey, Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Technology Sydney, emphasized that international collaboration allows healthcare institutions to scale successful solutions and respond more effectively to evolving health needs.

WHO also stressed that empowering nurses and midwives through continuous learning, leadership opportunities, and strong policy support is essential for achieving healthier and more resilient societies worldwide.

As International Nurses Day 2026 highlights both progress and persistent inequalities, global health leaders continue urging governments to place nurses and midwives at the centre of future healthcare planning and investment.