More Health Workers, Unequal Care: WHO Warns of Deep Gaps and Looming Retirement Wave

Global health workforce density increased by 52% between 2006 and 2025, rising from 44.8 to 67.9 workers per 10,000 people.

More than 70 million people now work in health and care worldwide, a growing workforce that represents real progress in countries' ability to deliver services. Where those workers practise still makes an enormous difference to whether someone can get the care they need, with deep shortages continuing to affect many countries.

The World Health Organization's National health workforce accounts: health workforce levels and trends 2026 examines that uneven progress through official country data reported to the National Health Workforce Accounts (NHWA). The first in an annual series, it provides a comprehensive picture of workforce numbers, distribution and challenges, including the pressure created by ageing populations and staff approaching retirement.

Growing numbers leave deep gaps between regions

Global health workforce density increased by 52% between 2006 and 2025, rising from 44.8 to 67.9 workers per 10,000 people. This measure includes medical doctors, nursing and midwifery personnel, dentists and pharmacists.

The regional differences show how unevenly that growth has been shared. The WHO European Region has 13 times the density of medical doctors found in the WHO African Region. For nurses and midwifery personnel, the density is six times higher.

These imbalances continue to limit access to essential services, leaving countries with fewer workers facing difficult decisions about how to meet their populations' needs.

Dr Khassoum Diallo, Acting Unit Head of Health Workforce Policies and Data at the WHO Academy, said severe shortages and unequal distribution persist despite improvements in workforce training and data reporting. Health worker density remains closely linked to national income, making these inequities a central concern for achieving Health for All.

Retiring doctors add to the pressure on services

Nearly one in four doctors, on average, is older than 55, according to the latest available data from 122 countries. In high-income countries, that share rises to almost one in three, pointing to substantial retirement pressures over the next decade.

Replacing experienced doctors requires years of education and practical training. Countries also need to plan for the loss of staff who mentor younger colleagues and bring decades of clinical experience to their work.

Population ageing is increasing demand for services at the same time. This combination forms the thematic focus of the first report, with future editions set to examine other workforce issues alongside annual updates on levels and trends.

The global health worker shortage is projected to reach 11.1 million by 2030. Sixty-seven countries are expected to lack enough workers to maintain population health needs by that year.

Diallo described ageing as a hidden workforce crisis, creating a double pressure that is particularly relevant to high-income countries. He called for stronger planning across education, employment and retention so that health systems can prepare for changing needs.

Better information can help countries prepare

More than 90% of WHO Member States actively reported health workforce data in 2025. Since the NHWA was launched in 2017, data availability has increased nearly twentyfold, reflecting substantial progress in national workforce information systems.

That information gives governments a clearer view of where shortages exist and how their workforce is changing. It can inform decisions about training places, employment opportunities and measures to retain staff before retirement and other departures leave services struggling.

Turning those findings into action requires sustained investment in the people who deliver care. Diallo stressed that supporting the health and care workforce is essential to stronger health systems, health security and sustainable development.

For countries planning their next steps, the report brings an urgent question into focus: whether they will have enough trained people, in the places they are needed, to care for their populations in the years ahead.