Clinical Report: How is the global health workforce changing?
Overview
The global health workforce has expanded significantly since 1990, with an estimated 122 million health workers active in 2023. Women represent a substantial majority of this workforce, particularly in nursing and midwifery roles, while notable gaps in workforce density persist, especially in low-income regions. This data is supported by the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2023.
Background
Understanding the dynamics of the global health workforce is crucial for addressing healthcare access and quality. The composition and distribution of health workers directly impact healthcare systems. This report highlights trends and disparities in health workforce density across different regions.
Data Highlights
| Health Worker Cadre | Active Workers (2023) |
|---|---|
| Physicians | 15 million |
| Nurses | 33 million |
| Midwives | 2 million |
| Community Health Workers | 8 million |
Key Findings
- 122 million health workers were active globally in 2023.
- Nurses comprised 27% of the global health workforce.
- Women represented 69% of health workers and accounted for 71% of workforce growth from 1990 to 2023.
- There are estimated gaps of approximately 7 million physicians and 24 million nurses and midwives needed to meet UHC targets.
- High-income countries have the highest health worker densities, while sub-Saharan Africa has the lowest.
Clinical Implications
The significant representation of women in the health workforce highlights the need for further research into gender equity in healthcare roles. Addressing the identified workforce gaps is essential for improving healthcare access.
Conclusion
The expansion of the global health workforce, particularly through the contributions of women, is a notable trend; however, substantial gaps remain that must be addressed.
Related Resources & Content
- Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2023, The Lancet Public Health -- How is the global health workforce changing?
- WHO, National Health Workforce Accounts 2026 -- Health workforce levels and trends 2026
- Frontiers in Medicine — Building the future health workforce: outreach pathways and the Holistic Ecosystem Model
- Frontiers in Digital Health — From Bedside to Bytes: The Digital Transformation of the Healthcare Workforce
- the pathologist — Constant Demand, Patchy Supply
- the pathologist — Global Health, Local Losses
- Building the future health workforce: outreach pathways and the Holistic Ecosystem Model
- From Bedside to Bytes: The Digital Transformation of the Healthcare Workforce
- Constant Demand, Patchy Supply
- National health workforce accounts: health workforce levels and trends 2026
- Lay community health worker-led care with mobile decision support for uncontrolled hypertension: a cluster-randomized trial | Nature Medicine
This content is an AI-generated, fully rewritten summary based on a published scholarly article. It does not reproduce the original text and is not a substitute for the original publication. Readers are encouraged to consult the source for full context, data, and methodology.
