Context:

• On the occasion of International Nurses Day 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) released the report "State of the World’s Nursing 2025", presenting a comprehensive and updated analysis of the nursing workforce across 194 countries.

Key Findings of the Report:

1. Growth and Inequality in the Nursing Workforce:

• By 2030, the global nursing workforce is projected to increase to 36 million, but this growth will be unevenly distributed.
• Particularly in Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean regions, nursing workforce growth will be only 7%, while 70% of the global nursing shortage will be concentrated in these regions (up from 58% in 2020).

2. Nurse-to-Population Ratio Disparities:

• In 2023, the African region had only 14.1 nurses per 10,000 people, whereas the European region had 76.9.
• In India, there are only 1.9 nurses per 1,000 population, significantly below the WHO-recommended ratio of 3 nurses per 1,000.

3. Disparities in Salary and Working Conditions:

• There are significant disparities in average nurse salaries based on region and income level.
• Europe and Eastern Mediterranean regions offer higher pay, while salaries are lower in Africa and South-East Asia.
• Disparities also exist in working conditions, access to education, and leadership opportunities.

4. Gender Inequality:

• Women make up 85% of the nursing workforce, yet in 15 countries (including 10 in Africa), the number of male nurses exceeds that of female nurses.
• This reflects the broader gender disparities in the health sector.

5. Need for Investment in Leadership and Education:

• Availability of nursing leadership development programs is lowest in Africa (43%), while it is 76-78% in Europe and Eastern Mediterranean.
• Effective leadership requires comprehensive education and training.

6. Economic and Social Significance:

• The report theme — “Our Nurses. Our Future. Nurses’ Care Strengthens Economies” — emphasizes that investment in nursing not only improves the quality of health services but also drives economic growth and social stability.

7. Role in Achieving SDG:

• Addressing nursing workforce shortages and inequalities is essential to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• The report provides evidence-based guidance for policymakers to invest in nursing.