The density of nurses licensed to practice in the US is forecasted to rise steadily from 2024 to 2028, starting at 18.77 health professionals per thousand persons in 2024 and reaching 19.31 by 2028. This forecast predicts a year-on-year growth rate of approximately 0.7%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over this period is 0.71%. For context, in 2023, the density was lower, leading to this upward trend.
Future trends to watch for include potential impacts of policy changes related to healthcare access, the aging US population requiring more intensive medical care, and evolving educational pathways that could affect the supply of licensed nurses entering the workforce. Additionally, technological advancement in healthcare could shift demand for nursing roles.
