In 2023, Switzerland led with 19.0 practising nurses per thousand persons, followed by Australia and Germany with 13.07 and 12.34, respectively. Austria showed a dramatic rise in nursing density with a 9.82% year-on-year increase. In contrast, Latvia and South Africa had negative trends, with South Africa experiencing a -6.54% decrease. These negative trends are concerning as they may indicate systemic health workforce issues.
Future trends to watch include potential policy interventions in countries with declining densities. There may also be increased global efforts to standardize the ratio of healthcare professionals to the population, impacting future densities significantly.
Top countries in Density of Practising Nurses by Country
| # | 10 Countries | Units (Health Professionnals) Per Thousand Persons | Last Year | YoY | 5-years CAGR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Switzerland | 19 | 2023 | +1.6% | +1.55% | View data |
| 2 | 2 Australia | 13.07 | 2023 | +1.4% | +1.84% | View data |
| 3 | 3 Germany | 12.34 | 2023 | +1.31% | +1.38% | View data |
| 4 | 4 Belgium | 11.72 | 2023 | +0.95% | +1.15% | View data |
| 5 | 5 Austria | 10.94 | 2023 | +1.58% | +9.82% | View data |
| 6 | 6 Canada | 10.39 | 2023 | +0.68% | +0.87% | View data |
| 7 | 7 South Korea | 9.69 | 2023 | +4.87% | +6% | View data |
| 8 | 8 Spain | 6.52 | 2023 | +1.4% | +2.19% | View data |
| 9 | 9 Poland | 5.68 | 2023 | 0% | +2.26% | View data |
| 10 | 10 Latvia | 4.11 | 2023 | -0.96% | -1.13% | View data |
