WHO projects Africa health-worker shortfall of 5.85 million by 2030
WHO officials meeting in Ethiopia said Africa could lack 5.85 million health workers by 2030 despite rapid growth in training, and backed a 10-year plan focused on hiring and retention.
In short
- WHO officials meeting in Ethiopia said Africa could lack 5.85 million health workers by 2030 despite rapid growth in training, and backed a 10-year plan focused on hiring and retention.
Africa could face a needs-based shortage of 5.85 million health workers by 2030, World Health Organization officials and regional delegates said at the 76th WHO Regional Committee for Africa meeting in Ethiopia.
The warning comes despite substantial growth in the workforce. Figures presented from the Africa Health Workforce Agenda 2026–2035 showed the number of health workers rising from 1.6 million in 2013 to 5.72 million in 2024. Workforce density increased from about 11.7 to nearly 30 professionals per 10,000 people, according to The Reporter Ethiopia’s account of the meeting.
WHO’s assessment nevertheless found that African countries have only 46 percent of the workforce required to meet population health needs. The projected 2030 gap would represent more than half of the global health-worker shortage, and could exceed six million by 2035 if population growth continues to outpace recruitment.
The region also faces a mismatch between training and employment. About 27 percent of trained health workers are unemployed, while unemployment among recent medical and nursing graduates was reported at between 46 and 69 percent. WHO data presented at the meeting indicated that one in 10 doctors and nurses trained in Africa moves abroad and 42 percent of active personnel are considering migration.
Member states adopted a 2026–2035 workforce agenda estimated to require $120 billion. The plan emphasises hiring, competitive pay, education capacity and facility improvements, alongside WHO’s Plan–Train–Retain support platform. It aims to train and retain three million additional professionals and ensure every member state has at least one operational emergency medical team by 2030.
