The World Bank has warned that the world could face a shortage of more than 10 million healthcare workers by 2030, a gap that could severely undermine access to essential health services and stall progress toward global health goals.
Data released on Friday shows that the deficit spans critical professions, with an estimated shortage of 4.5 million nurses, 3.1 million doctors, 1.9 million midwives, 0.3 million dentists, and 0.2 million pharmacists. In total, the global health workforce shortfall is projected to reach 10.2 million workers within the next five years.
“By 2030, the world is projected to face a shortfall of over 10 million healthcare workers,” the World Bank stated in a message shared on its official X (formerly Twitter) account. “Investing in healthcare isn’t just about improving health, it’s a pathway to creating jobs and building resilient health systems for the future.”
The World Bank said urgent and coordinated investment is required to prevent a global health crisis, noting that the shortage threatens the achievement of universal health coverage and several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It added that strengthening healthcare systems not only improves public health but also fuels economic growth through employment and innovation.
As global populations continue to expand and chronic diseases rise, the need for trained medical professionals is expected to far exceed supply. The organization said the demand is particularly high in regions that already face structural weaknesses in healthcare delivery and limited access to training opportunities.
The World Bank also pointed to the growing role of private healthcare providers in shaping service delivery, especially in low- and middle-income countries. It urged governments to work closely with the private sector to address workforce shortages, expand training programs, and ensure that quality care is accessible to all communities.
In its latest report, the institution called on governments, investors, and development partners to direct more funding toward healthcare education, infrastructure, and workforce development. It said that creating resilient health systems requires not only financial resources but also strategic planning to ensure the right mix of professionals is available to meet future health demands.
The warning comes amid increasing concern over the state of the global health workforce, a challenge worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed deep vulnerabilities in healthcare systems. The pandemic placed immense pressure on frontline workers, many of whom continue to face burnout, low pay, and unsafe working conditions.
According to the World Bank, the regions expected to feel the greatest impact are Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, where health systems are already under strain due to limited training capacity, migration of skilled workers, and inadequate funding for sector reforms.
The Bank reaffirmed its commitment to supporting countries in building stronger and more sustainable health systems through initiatives led by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and other financing mechanisms aimed at boosting job creation in the health sector.
It said the time for action is now, warning that without renewed investment and global cooperation, millions of people could continue to face barriers to essential healthcare — threatening to reverse years of progress made in improving global health outcomes.
