Health Workforce
Workforce shortages jeopardize universal health coverage.
Although there has been progress, low-income countries still face a serious shortage of health workers. On average, they have only 1.1 doctors and 7.5 nurses/midwives for every 10,000 people—compared to 35.6 doctors and 76.8 nurses/midwives in high-income countries.
Insights
Political: Health workforce strategies are frequently underfunded or poorly coordinated. Closing training and retention gaps requires sustained political commitment over the long term.
Economic: Insufficient investment in the health workforce weakens progress toward universal health coverage.
Social: Workforce shortages hit underserved communities hardest, fueling inequities in service access and outcomes.
Technological: Digital tools for training, workforce management, and task-shifting offer scalable solutions—but require robust infrastructure and support.
Legal: Licensing, accreditation, and labor protections vary widely, affecting worker mobility and quality of care.
Environmental: Migration, conflict, and climate crises displace health workers and strain staffing in the most vulnerable areas.
Reflective Questions
How can countries develop strong and equitable health workforce pipelines that are prepared to meet future health needs?
What innovative models could help improve retention and provide better support for health workers, particularly in rural or fragile areas?
In what ways can digital tools be used to enhance training and supervision for health professionals in underserved regions?
Related Insight Cards
References:
World Health Organization, n.d. National health workforce accounts data portal [online database]. Geneva: World Health Organization. Available at: https://apps.who.int/nhwaportal
