The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that ageing populations and an ageing healthcare workforce could deepen the global shortage of health workers over the coming decade.
According to a new WHO report based on workforce data from more than 100 countries, the world could face a shortfall of 11.1 million health workers by 2030. The situation is expected to be particularly challenging in countries where a large proportion of healthcare professionals are nearing retirement.
67 countries could face staffing shortages
The WHO projects that 67 countries may not have enough health workers by 2030 to maintain their current level of healthcare provision. Maintaining the existing health worker-to-population ratio would require an additional 832,000 health workers, the report said.
The shortage could also increase dependence on internationally recruited healthcare professionals, particularly in lower-income countries, potentially creating further workforce pressures across health systems.
One in three doctors may retire in higher-income countries
Higher-income countries, particularly several European nations, are expected to face significant workforce pressures because of their ageing medical workforce. The WHO estimates that one in three doctors in these countries could retire within the next decade.
The organisation highlighted the simultaneous ageing of patients and healthcare professionals as a key challenge for health systems and called for workforce planning to address future staffing needs.