The State of the World’s Nursing Report 2025

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. Notably, the report projects a further reduction in the global shortage to 4.1 million by 2030. This 2025 edition of the State of the world’s nursing provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of the nursing workforce, featuring new indicators on critical areas such as education capacity, advanced practice nursing, and remuneration. With the additional policy priorities and country-specific data, the report highlights the 12 policy priorities from the Global strategic directions for nursing and midwifery 2021–2025.

Key findings

• Global nursing workforce growth from 27.9 million in 2018 to 29.8 million in 2023, with a reduction in the global shortage from 6.2 million in 2020 to 5.8 million in 2023, potentially reaching 4.1 million by 2030.
• Deep regional disparities in the nursing workforce, with approximately 78% of the world’s nurses in countries representing 49% of the global population. Lower-middle-income countries (LMICs) especially face difficulties in graduating, employing, and retaining nurses in the health system.
• Continued dominance of women in the profession, making up 85% of the global nursing workforce.
• Countries’ significant reliance on international migration, with 1 in 7 nurses worldwide and 23% in high-income countries being foreign-born.

Policy priorities for 2026–2030

The report introduces forward-looking policy priorities that include:

• Expanding and equitably distributing nursing jobs, especially in underserved regions.
• Strengthening domestic education systems and aligning qualifications with defined roles.
• Improving working conditions, pay equity, and mental well-being support.
• Further developing nursing regulation and advanced practice nursing roles.
• Promoting gender equity and protecting nurses working in fragile, conflict-affected settings.
• Harnessing digital technologies and preparing nurses for climate-responsive care.
• Advancing nursing leadership and ensuring 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 advocate for a healthy lifestyle among adolescents
by certifying schools as “Health Promoting Schools” and implementing national health initiatives such as nutrition, vaccination, and sexual and reproductive health education. By creating a safe, supportive school environment, the programme emphasizes 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, reduce absenteeism and dropout rates. Achievements include successfully implementing deworming programmes, iron and folic acid supplementation for adolescent girls, and vaccination coverage (COVID-19; measles, mumps and rubella – MMR; typhoid).
Furthermore, school health education has raised awareness on disease prevention and healthy lifestyles, contributing to safer communities. The programme also works to reduce absenteeism and dropout rates. Additionally, schools have developed disaster preparedness plans with regular drills.
In summary, the programme plays a vital role in improving adolescent health and advancing Nepal’s UHC goals.
Happy International Nurses Day 2025: Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies!

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