Global nursing shortfall of 4.5 million opens doors for migration: Health Ministry

Highlighting a global shortage of 4.5 million nursing professionals, Health Ministry officials said this gap has created significant international demand, paving the way for policy shifts that support the migration of nurses.

The observation was made by Akanksha Ranjan, Deputy Secretary (Nursing & Dental), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, during a discussion on strengthening the nursing workforce in India and Australia, held in New Delhi on Monday.

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To address the emerging health system challenges arising from nursing shortages in both nations, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare — in collaboration with Edith Cowan University (ECU), Australia, and Jhpiego, a global non-profit organization — inaugurated a two-day roundtable to build a resilient, future-ready nursing workforce aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The theme of the event was “Strengthening the Nursing Workforce in India and Australia: Building Collaborative Pathways for a Resilient and Skilled Nursing Workforce Aligned with the SDGs.”

Ranjan noted that while 2.9 million nurses serve worldwide, the shortage of 4.5 million “creates significant global demand and opens pathways for ethical and well-governed nurse migration.”

She further emphasized that India–Australia cooperation offers a strong platform to advance nursing education standards, expand workforce pathways, and promote ethical mobility. Such bilateral collaboration, she said, can help both nations tackle emerging health system challenges more effectively.

The discussions identified several priority areas for joint work, including faculty development, research collaborations, exchange programmes, and digital learning innovations.

The workshop brought together senior officials from central and state governments, nursing leaders, academic experts, and development partners, serving as a platform to advance the national agenda on nursing and midwifery reforms.