The report revealed that almost 80% of nurses provide only 49% of the world’s population.
As the world celebrates International Nursing Day 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that 42% of nurses in Africa report their intent to migrate.
In a message commemorating the day, Chikwe Ihekweazu, regional director in Africa, warns that this “surprising trend” could evacuate more of the continent’s already vulnerable health systems.
Ihekweazu said this year’s theme, “Our Nurse. Our Future. Care for Nurses Strengthen the Health System and the Economy” will strengthen the need for better support and investment in nursing professions.
“Nurses are the backbone of our health system, but almost half of them are portrayed and looking to leave by better pay, safer environments and clear career paths in wealthy countries.
The warning comes as Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, continues to fight the crisis in its healthy workforce. Thousands of Nigerian nurses and other healthcare workers have moved abroad for better working conditions.
In 2024, the Nigerian Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMCN) revealed that Nigerian nurses had obtained verifications for working abroad between 2021 and 2023.
Premium Times has extensively reported how hospitals across the country are dealing with staff shortages, leading to longer patient waiting times and poor quality of care.
Nursing workforce
Ihekweazu cited the latest status in the World Nursing Report 2025.
The report revealed that almost 80% of nurses provide only 49% of the world’s population.
In Africa, nurses make up almost 70% of Africa’s health workforce, but the region still has one of the lowest nurse-population ratios in the world.
Despite recent advances, it has nearly doubled the nursing workforce from 900,000 in 2018 to 1.7 million in 2023, but Africa has one of the lowest nurse ratios in the world.
With 14.1 nurses per 100,000 people, the area is far behind high-income countries.
The report also revealed that nurses account for 66% of the community’s forecast shortage of 6.1 million healthcare workers by 2030.
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“This shortage will limit access to essential services, from mothers and children’s health to chronic disease care, slowing progress towards universal health insurance,” Ihekweazu said.
“At the same time, 43% of nursing workers are under the age of 35, but many do not have access to mentorship or clear career paths.
“High-income countries are actively recruiting from low-income environments. In some cases, foreign-born nurses currently make up nearly a quarter of the workforce in these countries, eliminating talent where they are most needed.”
intervention
The WHO also emphasizes the gender dimension. Women account for 85% of nurses, but still have a 7% wage gap and limited leadership opportunities.
After the adoption of the African Healthy Workforce Investment Charter in 2024, countries like Zimbabwe have created investment compacts that match the realities of the region.
Zimbabwe alone will mobilize $166 million a year over three years to strengthen its healthy workforce.
Who is urging the government to prioritize five steps. It involves expanding education and training, strengthening regulations, creating advanced practice roles, improving wage and mental health support, and investing in leadership.
About International Nurses Day
International Nurses Day is observed worldwide each year on May 12th to mark the contribution of nurses to society.
May 12, 1974, was chosen to celebrate the day as it was the anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, the founder of Modern Nursing.
