GITNUXREPORT 2026

Healthcare Shortage Statistics

A severe global healthcare worker shortage threatens access for aging and rural populations.

Min-ji Park

Research Analyst focused on sustainability and consumer trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

U.S. physician shortage projected to 124,000 by 2034.

Statistic 2

Nursing demand to grow 6% by 2032, outpacing 3% supply.

Statistic 3

By 2040, 11 states face 50%+ physician shortages.

Statistic 4

Global health worker shortage 10 million by 2030.

Statistic 5

U.S. home health aide shortage 800,000 by 2040.

Statistic 6

Primary care demand up 14% by 2030 from aging population.

Statistic 7

APRN supply to meet 80% of demand by 2026.

Statistic 8

Rural physician gap widens to 20,000 by 2033.

Statistic 9

Mental health workforce shortage 78,000 psychologists by 2030.

Statistic 10

Dental shortages to affect 1 in 5 Americans by 2025.

Statistic 11

U.S. lab workforce down 10% by 2030 from retirements.

Statistic 12

Pharmacist shortage 10,000 by 2030 in community settings.

Statistic 13

Physical therapist demand up 17% by 2030.

Statistic 14

Radiologic technologist shortage 20,000 by 2026.

Statistic 15

U.S. will need 2.1 million more health aides by 2030.

Statistic 16

Nurse anesthetist shortage 9,000 by 2033.

Statistic 17

Optometrist gaps in 40 states by 2025.

Statistic 18

Speech-language pathologist shortage 40,000 by 2028.

Statistic 19

U.S. surgeon demand exceeds supply by 30% by 2040.

Statistic 20

Global surgeon shortage 4 million procedures backlog annually.

Statistic 21

By 2050, dementia care needs 3x more workforce.

Statistic 22

U.S. rural hospital closures projected 300 more by 2025.

Statistic 23

Cardiologist shortage 4,000 by 2030.

Statistic 24

Oncologist gap 1,470 by 2025.

Statistic 25

Neurologist shortage doubles to 20% by 2030.

Statistic 26

Dermatologist shortage 4,000 by 2030 in underserved areas.

Statistic 27

Orthopedic surgeon need up 27% by 2030.

Statistic 28

Registered nurse vacancy rates averaged 17.5% in U.S. hospitals in 2023.

Statistic 29

By 2030, U.S. nursing shortage could reach 200,000 to 450,000 RNs.

Statistic 30

50% of current U.S. RNs plan to retire or leave by 2027.

Statistic 31

In 2024, average nurse turnover rate hit 27.1% across U.S. healthcare facilities.

Statistic 32

Only 15% of U.S. nurses under age 30, with 52% over 40.

Statistic 33

Critical care units report 25-30% nursing vacancies in 2023.

Statistic 34

Global shortage of 6 million nurses by 2030, per WHO.

Statistic 35

UK NHS nurse vacancies reached 43,000 in early 2024.

Statistic 36

Canada has 60,000 nursing vacancies projected by 2028.

Statistic 37

Australia faces 85,000 nurse shortage by 2025.

Statistic 38

India needs 4.3 million more nurses to meet WHO standards.

Statistic 39

80% of U.S. hospitals reported nurse staffing shortages in 2023 surveys.

Statistic 40

Nurse-to-patient ratios average 1:6 in medical-surgical units, exceeding safe 1:4-5.

Statistic 41

Travel nurse dependency rose to 20% of staff in shortage-hit hospitals.

Statistic 42

Burnout affects 62% of U.S. nurses, leading to 100,000 annual exits.

Statistic 43

LPN vacancy rates at 12% in long-term care facilities.

Statistic 44

1 in 3 new U.S. nurses leave within first year due to workload.

Statistic 45

ICU nurse shortages lead to 20% overtime reliance in U.S.

Statistic 46

Europe-wide nurse shortage of 1 million by 2030.

Statistic 47

South Korea has nurse density of 8.4 per 1,000, below OECD average.

Statistic 48

Philippines exports 20,000 nurses annually, depleting local supply.

Statistic 49

Saudi Arabia reports 30% nurse vacancy in public hospitals.

Statistic 50

Mexico needs 500,000 more nurses by 2030.

Statistic 51

Rural U.S. nursing vacancy rates 20% higher than urban.

Statistic 52

Geriatric nursing shortage of 28,000 in U.S. by 2030.

Statistic 53

OR nurse vacancies at 15% nationally.

Statistic 54

Home health aides shortage projected at 500,000 by 2030.

Statistic 55

40% of U.S. hospitals closed OB units due to nurse shortages.

Statistic 56

Psychiatric nurse shortage affects 1 in 3 facilities.

Statistic 57

U.S. will need 275,000 more APRNs by 2037.

Statistic 58

By 2034, the U.S. could experience a physician shortage ranging from 37,800 to 124,000 doctors, driven by population growth and aging demographics.

Statistic 59

In 2023, 41% of U.S. physicians reported burnout, exacerbating shortages as 10-20% consider early retirement.

Statistic 60

Primary care physician supply is expected to fall short by 17,800 to 48,000 by 2034 due to retirements outpacing new graduates.

Statistic 61

Only 48.5 physicians per 100,000 people in rural U.S. areas compared to 53.3 in urban areas as of 2021.

Statistic 62

U.S. medical schools produced 28,236 graduates in 2023, but residency slots only accommodate about 93% of them.

Statistic 63

78% of U.S. counties lack a single OB-GYN, contributing to maternal care shortages affecting 2.4 million women.

Statistic 64

By 2030, demand for psychiatrists will exceed supply by 15,600 to 31,100 FTE physicians.

Statistic 65

In 2022, 60 million Americans lived in primary care Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).

Statistic 66

Physician turnover rate in hospitals reached 6.9% in 2023, worsening workforce gaps.

Statistic 67

Only 7% of U.S. medical students match into family medicine residencies in 2023.

Statistic 68

Global shortage of 18 million health workers by 2030, with 5 million physicians needed in low-income countries.

Statistic 69

In the UK, NHS reported 8,000 doctor vacancies as of March 2024.

Statistic 70

Canada faces a family physician shortage, with 2.4 million Canadians without a regular doctor in 2023.

Statistic 71

Australia projects a shortage of 1,500 full-time equivalent GPs by 2025.

Statistic 72

India has only 10 doctors per 10,000 people, far below WHO's 30 threshold.

Statistic 73

Brazil's SUS system reports 20% vacancy rate in physician positions in public hospitals.

Statistic 74

Germany needs 50,000 more doctors by 2035 due to aging workforce.

Statistic 75

Japan has 2.5 physicians per 1,000 people, projected to drop with 20% retirements by 2030.

Statistic 76

South Africa faces 18% vacancy rate in public sector doctors.

Statistic 77

Nigeria has 3.6 doctors per 10,000, leading to overburdened facilities.

Statistic 78

In 2024, 112 million Americans live in mental health HPSAs.

Statistic 79

U.S. surgeons shortage projected at 11,000 to 17,800 by 2036.

Statistic 80

25% of U.S. physicians over age 65, accelerating retirements.

Statistic 81

Only 40% of U.S. counties have adequate primary care access.

Statistic 82

Emergency medicine faces 20% vacancy rate in urban hospitals.

Statistic 83

1 in 5 U.S. medical practices closed due to staffing shortages in 2023.

Statistic 84

Pediatricians shortage of 4,500 by 2033 in U.S.

Statistic 85

Anesthesiologists need 12,500 more by 2036.

Statistic 86

Radiologists shortage projected at 1,300 to 4,300 FTEs by 2033.

Statistic 87

Urologists face 3,500 shortage by 2030.

Statistic 88

35% of Rural U.S. areas designated as mental health HPSAs.

Statistic 89

60% of U.S. rural hospitals operate at financial losses due to workforce shortages.

Statistic 90

Urban areas have 2.5 times more specialists per capita than rural areas.

Statistic 91

20% of rural U.S. hospitals closed since 2005, partly due to staffing gaps.

Statistic 92

Only 10% of U.S. physicians practice in rural areas despite 20% population.

Statistic 93

Rural primary care HPSAs cover 54 million people.

Statistic 94

Nurse practitioners in rural areas fill 25% of primary care roles.

Statistic 95

Urban hospitals have 15% lower vacancy rates than rural ones.

Statistic 96

90 million Americans in urban primary care deserts.

Statistic 97

Rural dentist shortages affect 56 million.

Statistic 98

Urban behavioral health providers outnumber rural by 4:1.

Statistic 99

28% of rural residents travel over 30 miles for care vs. 10% urban.

Statistic 100

Rural maternal mortality 50% higher due to provider shortages.

Statistic 101

Underserved urban zip codes have 30% fewer physicians per capita.

Statistic 102

75% of rural hospitals at risk of closure from staffing issues.

Statistic 103

Urban ER wait times shorter by 20 minutes despite higher volume.

Statistic 104

Rural ambulance services short 30% of paramedics.

Statistic 105

40% of urban low-income areas lack pharmacies.

Statistic 106

Rural cancer screening rates 20% lower due to specialist scarcity.

Statistic 107

Urban telehealth adoption 50% higher, widening gaps.

Statistic 108

65 million in HPSAs, 80% rural or underserved urban.

Statistic 109

Rural opioid treatment providers 1 per 260 patients vs. urban 1:110.

Statistic 110

Urban hospitals invest 2x more in recruitment.

Statistic 111

Physician supply growth 0.5% rural vs. 1.5% urban annually.

Statistic 112

Gastroenterologist shortage 1,300 FTEs by 2025.

Statistic 113

U.S. shortage of 15,000 emergency physicians by 2030.

Statistic 114

Pathologist workforce down 20% by 2030 from retirements.

Statistic 115

Pediatric subspecialists shortage 4,500 across 14 fields.

Statistic 116

30% of neurosurgery positions unfilled in 2023.

Statistic 117

Rheumatology needs 1,500 more by 2030.

Statistic 118

Infectious disease specialists shortage 3,000 FTEs.

Statistic 119

Hospitalist demand exceeds supply by 25,000.

Statistic 120

Critical care physicians short 20,000 by 2025.

Statistic 121

Interventional cardiology gap 2,000 procedures daily.

Statistic 122

Geriatricians need triple by 2050, current 7,000 insufficient.

Statistic 123

Neonatologists shortage 1,000 in NICUs.

Statistic 124

Pain management specialists short 5,000.

Statistic 125

Sleep medicine workforce 70% below demand.

Statistic 126

Vascular surgeons need 1,200 more by 2027.

Statistic 127

Allergy/immunology physicians short 30%.

Statistic 128

Transplant surgeons gap widens post-COVID.

Statistic 129

Hand surgeons shortage in rural areas 50%.

Statistic 130

Maternal-fetal medicine specialists short 1,000.

Statistic 131

Medical oncologists need 2,000 more FTEs by 2025.

Statistic 132

Pulmonologists shortage 2,500 by 2025.

Statistic 133

Endocrinologists face 25% vacancy rate.

Statistic 134

Electrophysiologists short 1,000 positions.

1/134

Sources

Trusted by 500+ publications

+497

Imagine trying to book a doctor's appointment, only to find none available in your county—this scenario is rapidly becoming the new normal as our global healthcare system faces a devastating shortage of doctors and nurses that will leave millions without access to essential care.

Key Takeaways

By 2034, the U.S. could experience a physician shortage ranging from 37,800 to 124,000 doctors, driven by population growth and aging demographics.
In 2023, 41% of U.S. physicians reported burnout, exacerbating shortages as 10-20% consider early retirement.
Primary care physician supply is expected to fall short by 17,800 to 48,000 by 2034 due to retirements outpacing new graduates.
Registered nurse vacancy rates averaged 17.5% in U.S. hospitals in 2023.
By 2030, U.S. nursing shortage could reach 200,000 to 450,000 RNs.
50% of current U.S. RNs plan to retire or leave by 2027.
35% of Rural U.S. areas designated as mental health HPSAs.
60% of U.S. rural hospitals operate at financial losses due to workforce shortages.
Urban areas have 2.5 times more specialists per capita than rural areas.
U.S. physician shortage projected to 124,000 by 2034.
Nursing demand to grow 6% by 2032, outpacing 3% supply.
By 2040, 11 states face 50%+ physician shortages.
Gastroenterologist shortage 1,300 FTEs by 2025.
U.S. shortage of 15,000 emergency physicians by 2030.
Pathologist workforce down 20% by 2030 from retirements.

A severe global healthcare worker shortage threatens access for aging and rural populations.

Future Projections

U.S. physician shortage projected to 124,000 by 2034.
Nursing demand to grow 6% by 2032, outpacing 3% supply.
By 2040, 11 states face 50%+ physician shortages.
Global health worker shortage 10 million by 2030.
U.S. home health aide shortage 800,000 by 2040.
Primary care demand up 14% by 2030 from aging population.
APRN supply to meet 80% of demand by 2026.
Rural physician gap widens to 20,000 by 2033.
Mental health workforce shortage 78,000 psychologists by 2030.
Dental shortages to affect 1 in 5 Americans by 2025.
U.S. lab workforce down 10% by 2030 from retirements.
Pharmacist shortage 10,000 by 2030 in community settings.
Physical therapist demand up 17% by 2030.
Radiologic technologist shortage 20,000 by 2026.
U.S. will need 2.1 million more health aides by 2030.
Nurse anesthetist shortage 9,000 by 2033.
Optometrist gaps in 40 states by 2025.
Speech-language pathologist shortage 40,000 by 2028.
U.S. surgeon demand exceeds supply by 30% by 2040.
Global surgeon shortage 4 million procedures backlog annually.
By 2050, dementia care needs 3x more workforce.
U.S. rural hospital closures projected 300 more by 2025.
Cardiologist shortage 4,000 by 2030.
Oncologist gap 1,470 by 2025.
Neurologist shortage doubles to 20% by 2030.
Dermatologist shortage 4,000 by 2030 in underserved areas.
Orthopedic surgeon need up 27% by 2030.

Future Projections Interpretation

It seems the entire health system is about to run on the heroic fumes of a few dedicated professionals who will be expected to clone themselves by next Tuesday.

Nursing Shortages

Registered nurse vacancy rates averaged 17.5% in U.S. hospitals in 2023.
By 2030, U.S. nursing shortage could reach 200,000 to 450,000 RNs.
50% of current U.S. RNs plan to retire or leave by 2027.
In 2024, average nurse turnover rate hit 27.1% across U.S. healthcare facilities.
Only 15% of U.S. nurses under age 30, with 52% over 40.
Critical care units report 25-30% nursing vacancies in 2023.
Global shortage of 6 million nurses by 2030, per WHO.
UK NHS nurse vacancies reached 43,000 in early 2024.
Canada has 60,000 nursing vacancies projected by 2028.
Australia faces 85,000 nurse shortage by 2025.
India needs 4.3 million more nurses to meet WHO standards.
80% of U.S. hospitals reported nurse staffing shortages in 2023 surveys.
Nurse-to-patient ratios average 1:6 in medical-surgical units, exceeding safe 1:4-5.
Travel nurse dependency rose to 20% of staff in shortage-hit hospitals.
Burnout affects 62% of U.S. nurses, leading to 100,000 annual exits.
LPN vacancy rates at 12% in long-term care facilities.
1 in 3 new U.S. nurses leave within first year due to workload.
ICU nurse shortages lead to 20% overtime reliance in U.S.
Europe-wide nurse shortage of 1 million by 2030.
South Korea has nurse density of 8.4 per 1,000, below OECD average.
Philippines exports 20,000 nurses annually, depleting local supply.
Saudi Arabia reports 30% nurse vacancy in public hospitals.
Mexico needs 500,000 more nurses by 2030.
Rural U.S. nursing vacancy rates 20% higher than urban.
Geriatric nursing shortage of 28,000 in U.S. by 2030.
OR nurse vacancies at 15% nationally.
Home health aides shortage projected at 500,000 by 2030.
40% of U.S. hospitals closed OB units due to nurse shortages.
Psychiatric nurse shortage affects 1 in 3 facilities.
U.S. will need 275,000 more APRNs by 2037.

Nursing Shortages Interpretation

The healthcare system is preparing for a cardiac arrest of its own as it hemorrhages nurses at a rate that suggests the global motto might soon be "good luck, and bring a friend who watched a medical drama once."

Physician Shortages

By 2034, the U.S. could experience a physician shortage ranging from 37,800 to 124,000 doctors, driven by population growth and aging demographics.
In 2023, 41% of U.S. physicians reported burnout, exacerbating shortages as 10-20% consider early retirement.
Primary care physician supply is expected to fall short by 17,800 to 48,000 by 2034 due to retirements outpacing new graduates.
Only 48.5 physicians per 100,000 people in rural U.S. areas compared to 53.3 in urban areas as of 2021.
U.S. medical schools produced 28,236 graduates in 2023, but residency slots only accommodate about 93% of them.
78% of U.S. counties lack a single OB-GYN, contributing to maternal care shortages affecting 2.4 million women.
By 2030, demand for psychiatrists will exceed supply by 15,600 to 31,100 FTE physicians.
In 2022, 60 million Americans lived in primary care Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).
Physician turnover rate in hospitals reached 6.9% in 2023, worsening workforce gaps.
Only 7% of U.S. medical students match into family medicine residencies in 2023.
Global shortage of 18 million health workers by 2030, with 5 million physicians needed in low-income countries.
In the UK, NHS reported 8,000 doctor vacancies as of March 2024.
Canada faces a family physician shortage, with 2.4 million Canadians without a regular doctor in 2023.
Australia projects a shortage of 1,500 full-time equivalent GPs by 2025.
India has only 10 doctors per 10,000 people, far below WHO's 30 threshold.
Brazil's SUS system reports 20% vacancy rate in physician positions in public hospitals.
Germany needs 50,000 more doctors by 2035 due to aging workforce.
Japan has 2.5 physicians per 1,000 people, projected to drop with 20% retirements by 2030.
South Africa faces 18% vacancy rate in public sector doctors.
Nigeria has 3.6 doctors per 10,000, leading to overburdened facilities.
In 2024, 112 million Americans live in mental health HPSAs.
U.S. surgeons shortage projected at 11,000 to 17,800 by 2036.
25% of U.S. physicians over age 65, accelerating retirements.
Only 40% of U.S. counties have adequate primary care access.
Emergency medicine faces 20% vacancy rate in urban hospitals.
1 in 5 U.S. medical practices closed due to staffing shortages in 2023.
Pediatricians shortage of 4,500 by 2033 in U.S.
Anesthesiologists need 12,500 more by 2036.
Radiologists shortage projected at 1,300 to 4,300 FTEs by 2033.
Urologists face 3,500 shortage by 2030.

Physician Shortages Interpretation

We are sleepwalking into a global healthcare cliff where, just as demand skyrockets from aging populations and growing mental health needs, our medical workforce is simultaneously burning out, aging out, and being bottlenecked by training systems, leaving vast swaths of humanity—from rural America to entire nations—dangerously exposed.

Rural Urban Disparities

35% of Rural U.S. areas designated as mental health HPSAs.
60% of U.S. rural hospitals operate at financial losses due to workforce shortages.
Urban areas have 2.5 times more specialists per capita than rural areas.
20% of rural U.S. hospitals closed since 2005, partly due to staffing gaps.
Only 10% of U.S. physicians practice in rural areas despite 20% population.
Rural primary care HPSAs cover 54 million people.
Nurse practitioners in rural areas fill 25% of primary care roles.
Urban hospitals have 15% lower vacancy rates than rural ones.
90 million Americans in urban primary care deserts.
Rural dentist shortages affect 56 million.
Urban behavioral health providers outnumber rural by 4:1.
28% of rural residents travel over 30 miles for care vs. 10% urban.
Rural maternal mortality 50% higher due to provider shortages.
Underserved urban zip codes have 30% fewer physicians per capita.
75% of rural hospitals at risk of closure from staffing issues.
Urban ER wait times shorter by 20 minutes despite higher volume.
Rural ambulance services short 30% of paramedics.
40% of urban low-income areas lack pharmacies.
Rural cancer screening rates 20% lower due to specialist scarcity.
Urban telehealth adoption 50% higher, widening gaps.
65 million in HPSAs, 80% rural or underserved urban.
Rural opioid treatment providers 1 per 260 patients vs. urban 1:110.
Urban hospitals invest 2x more in recruitment.
Physician supply growth 0.5% rural vs. 1.5% urban annually.

Rural Urban Disparities Interpretation

America’s healthcare system has become a grim geography of haves and have-nots, where your zip code dictates your fate—the countryside is being quietly stripped of its caregivers, leaving urban islands of relative abundance surrounded by vast, struggling deserts of need.

Specialty Shortages

Gastroenterologist shortage 1,300 FTEs by 2025.
U.S. shortage of 15,000 emergency physicians by 2030.
Pathologist workforce down 20% by 2030 from retirements.
Pediatric subspecialists shortage 4,500 across 14 fields.
30% of neurosurgery positions unfilled in 2023.
Rheumatology needs 1,500 more by 2030.
Infectious disease specialists shortage 3,000 FTEs.
Hospitalist demand exceeds supply by 25,000.
Critical care physicians short 20,000 by 2025.
Interventional cardiology gap 2,000 procedures daily.
Geriatricians need triple by 2050, current 7,000 insufficient.
Neonatologists shortage 1,000 in NICUs.
Pain management specialists short 5,000.
Sleep medicine workforce 70% below demand.
Vascular surgeons need 1,200 more by 2027.
Allergy/immunology physicians short 30%.
Transplant surgeons gap widens post-COVID.
Hand surgeons shortage in rural areas 50%.
Maternal-fetal medicine specialists short 1,000.
Medical oncologists need 2,000 more FTEs by 2025.
Pulmonologists shortage 2,500 by 2025.
Endocrinologists face 25% vacancy rate.
Electrophysiologists short 1,000 positions.

Specialty Shortages Interpretation

Our healthcare system is racing toward a future where the waiting rooms are full, the specialists are few, and the math is starting to look like a particularly grim medical school entrance exam.

Sources & References

Logos provided by Logo.dev