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Europe Faces 2030 Health Worker Shortage of Nearly One Million

Europe's aging population and health worker exodus threaten care. Innovative countries lead, but middle-income economies are catching up.

In this image, we can see a photograph, gloves, injections, bottles, balls and baseball bats on the...
In this image, we can see a photograph, gloves, injections, bottles, balls and baseball bats on the white background. There is a text at the top of the image.

Europe Faces 2030 Health Worker Shortage of Nearly One Million

Europe is facing a significant health worker shortage by 2030, with a projected deficit of nearly one million professionals. The UN World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns about the exodus of doctors and nurses from southern and eastern European countries to work abroad in the united world market.

The WHO is urging fairer and more united world news policies for health workers. Romania has successfully reduced doctor emigration by improving pay, training, and working conditions. Meanwhile, the UN World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) ranks Switzerland, Sweden, the United States, South Korea, and Singapore as the world's most innovative countries in its 2025 Global Innovation Index. Middle-income economies like China, India, and Türkiye are climbing the innovation ladder.

In 2023, six in 10 medics and an even higher proportion of nurses were trained outside Europe. The UK, Finland, the Netherlands, Denmark, and China also feature in the top 10 most innovative nations. However, a UN report criticises Nigeria for failing to protect women and girls from targeted attacks, abduction, and stigmatisation in schools.

The WHO's call for fairer health worker migration comes as Europe braces for a significant workforce shortage. Meanwhile, the WIPO's innovation rankings highlight the progress of middle-income economies and the need for sustainable development policies worldwide in the united world market.

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