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1 In 4 Doctors Near Retirement Age By 2036: WHO Warns Of Global Health Workforce Crisis

Nearly one in four <span>doctors</span> globally is aged 55 or older and could reach retirement age within the next decade, according to a new World Health Organization (WHO) report, highlighting growing pressure on health systems.

The WHO has published its National Health Workforce Accounts: <span>Health Workforce Levels</span> and Trends 2026, the first in an annual series providing a global picture of health workforce levels and trends.

The report flagged that ageing among health workers is intensifying workforce shortages in some countries, while an <span>ageing population</span> is simultaneously increasing demand for healthcare services.

The global health worker shortage fell from 20 million in 2013 to 15 million in 2020 and was earlier projected to reach 10 million by 2030. However, newer analysis has revised the 2030 shortage estimate upward to 11.1 million.

“Ageing is the hidden health workforce crisis that requires urgent attention. It is creating a double pressure on health systems, primarily in high-income countries,” said Dr Khassoum Diallo, Acting Unit Head of Health Workforce Policies and Data, WHO Academy.

“We know that better data drives better policy, and these findings reinforce the importance of future-focused action to strengthen health workforce planning, education, employment and retention,” Dr Diallo added.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/japan-has-107677-centenarians-88-are-women-challenges-of-an-aging-population-article-156169249" data-type="tilCustomLink">Japan Has 107,677 Centenarians; 88% Are Women: Challenges Of An Aging Population</a>

<h2>Key Findings From The WHO Report</h2>

Based on the latest available data from 122 countries, nearly 25% of doctors are aged 55 or older and could reach retirement age within the next decade. In high-income countries, this rises to nearly one in three.

There are currently more than 70 million health and care workers worldwide. Global health workforce density increased by 52%, from 44.8 per 10,000 people in 2006 to 67.9 in 2025.

<ul><li>67 countries will not have enough health workers to maintain population health needs by 2030.</li><li>The global health workforce shortage is projected to reach 11.1 million by 2030.</li><li>An additional 832,000 health workers are needed just to maintain current age-standardized workforce density, primarily in high-income countries.</li></ul>

<h2>Major Gaps Between Rich And Poor Countries</h2>

<strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/unusually-high-cancer-fighting-immune-cells-could-explain-why-some-people-live-beyond-100-study-article-155931533" data-type="tilCustomLink">Unusually High Cancer-Fighting Immune Cells Could Explain Why Some People Live Beyond 100: Study</a> 

The report also found major disparities in health worker availability between regions and income groups.

The density of medical doctors is 13 times higher, while the density of nurses and midwifery personnel is six times higher, in the WHO European Region than in the WHO African Region.

Health worker density also remains strongly linked to national income, with high-income countries having substantially greater workforce density than low-income countries.

“Despite gains in workforce production and data reporting, uneven and severe shortages of health and care workers remain, and health worker density remains strongly correlated with national income,” explained Dr Diallo. “Addressing these inequities is essential to achieving Health for All.”

<h2>Ageing Population Could Further Increase Demand</h2>

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The workforce challenge is also unfolding as the global population ages. About one in 10 people worldwide was aged 65 or older in 2024. In high-income countries, the share was nearly one in five. Globally, the proportion is projected to reach about one in eight by 2030.

The WHO noted that population ageing will increase healthcare needs, meaning countries cannot simply aim to maintain their current health workforce density.

“Investing in the health and care workforce is essential to strengthening health systems, safeguarding health security and advancing sustainable development,” said Dr Diallo.

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Nearly one in four doctors globally is aged 55 or older and could reach retirement age within the next decade, according to a new World Health Organization (WHO) report, highlighting growing pressure on health systems.The WHO has published its National Health Workforce Accounts: Health Workforce Levels and Trends 2026, the first in an annual series providing a global picture of health workforce levels and trends.The report flagged that ageing among health workers is intensifying workforce shortages in some countries, while an ageing population is simultaneously increasing demand for healthcare services.The global health worker shortage fell from 20 million in 2013 to 15 million in 2020 and was earlier projected to reach 10 million by 2030. However, newer analysis has revised the 2030 shortage estimate upward to 11.1 million.“Ageing is the hidden health workforce crisis that requires urgent attention. It is creating a double pressure on health systems, primarily in high-income countries,” said Dr Khassoum Diallo, Acting Unit Head of Health Workforce Policies and Data, WHO Academy.“We know that better data drives better policy, and these findings reinforce the importance of future-focused action to strengthen health workforce planning, education, employment and retention,” Dr Diallo added.Also read: Japan Has 107,677 Centenarians; 88% Are Women: Challenges Of An Aging PopulationKey Findings From The WHO ReportBased on the latest available data from 122 countries, nearly 25% of doctors are aged 55 or older and could reach retirement age within the next decade. In high-income countries, this rises to nearly one in three.There are currently more than 70 million health and care workers worldwide. Global health workforce density increased by 52%, from 44.8 per 10,000 people in 2006 to 67.9 in 2025.The WHO estimates that:67 countries will not have enough health workers to maintain population health needs by 2030.The global health workforce shortage is projected to reach 11.1 million by 2030.An additional 832,000 health workers are needed just to maintain current age-standardized workforce density, primarily in high-income countries.Major Gaps Between Rich And Poor CountriesRead More: Unusually High Cancer-Fighting Immune Cells Could Explain Why Some People Live Beyond 100: Study The report also found major disparities in health worker availability between regions and income groups.The density of medical doctors is 13 times higher, while the density of nurses and midwifery personnel is six times higher, in the WHO European Region than in the WHO African Region.Health worker density also remains strongly linked to national income, with high-income countries having substantially greater workforce density than low-income countries.“Despite gains in workforce production and data reporting, uneven and severe shortages of health and care workers remain, and health worker density remains strongly correlated with national income,” explained Dr Diallo. “Addressing these inequities is essential to achieving Health for All.”Ageing Population Could Further Increase Demand   The workforce challenge is also unfolding as the global population ages. About one in 10 people worldwide was aged 65 or older in 2024. In high-income countries, the share was nearly one in five. Globally, the proportion is projected to reach about one in eight by 2030.The WHO noted that population ageing will increase healthcare needs, meaning countries cannot simply aim to maintain their current health workforce density.“Investing in the health and care workforce is essential to strengthening health systems, safeguarding health security and advancing sustainable development,” said Dr Diallo.

1 in 4 doctors near retirement age by 2036: who warns of global health workforce crisis

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