GITNUXREPORT 2026

Healthcare Workforce Shortage Statistics

The United States faces a severe and widespread shortage of doctors and nurses.

Jannik Lindner

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

The U.S. faces a shortage of 30,000 to 122,000 psychiatrists by 2025.

Statistic 2

Only 28% of mental health needs are met by providers in the U.S., per 2023 data.

Statistic 3

Behavioral health workforce shortage affects 111 million Americans in shortage areas.

Statistic 4

Psychologist shortage: U.S. needs 20,000 more by 2030.

Statistic 5

77% of U.S. counties lack a psychiatrist as of 2022.

Statistic 6

Suicide hotline staffing shortages leave 20% of calls unanswered.

Statistic 7

Child psychologists: 1 per 1,000 children needed, current ratio 1:1,500.

Statistic 8

Rural mental health providers: 66% fewer than urban areas.

Statistic 9

60% of psychologists report burnout, accelerating shortages.

Statistic 10

Substance use disorder counselors shortage: 40% vacancy rate in facilities.

Statistic 11

Veteran mental health wait times average 20 days due to shortages.

Statistic 12

School psychologists: National shortage of 15,000 FTE.

Statistic 13

Licensed clinical social workers: Demand up 19%, supply lags by 25%.

Statistic 14

Marriage and family therapists shortage in 80% of states.

Statistic 15

Telepsychiatry covers only 15% of shortage areas effectively.

Statistic 16

1 in 5 adults with mental illness receive no treatment due to provider shortages.

Statistic 17

Geriatric psychiatrists: Only 1,500 in U.S. for 50 million seniors.

Statistic 18

Youth mental health: 50% unmet need due to therapist shortages.

Statistic 19

Correctional facilities have 1 mental health provider per 500 inmates.

Statistic 20

Post-COVID, child psychiatrist demand up 30%, supply static.

Statistic 21

45% of community mental health centers have waitlists over 2 weeks.

Statistic 22

Occupational therapists for mental health: Shortage of 10,000 projected.

Statistic 23

Peer support specialists: 50% understaffed in recovery programs.

Statistic 24

Neurology-psych overlap shortages affect dementia care for 6M patients.

Statistic 25

65% of counties have no psychologists.

Statistic 26

U.S. 64% of population lives in mental health professional shortage areas.

Statistic 27

60 million Americans live in mental health HPSAs.

Statistic 28

Rural U.S. has 1 psychiatrist per 30,000 residents vs. 4,000 urban.

Statistic 29

76% of rural counties lack mental health providers.

Statistic 30

The U.S. registered nurse shortage is projected to reach 200,000 to 450,000 by 2025.

Statistic 31

In 2023, 47% of hospitals reported critical RN staffing shortages.

Statistic 32

The U.S. will need an additional 193,100 RNs per year through 2031 to meet demand.

Statistic 33

Nurse turnover rates reached 27.7% in 2022, highest on record.

Statistic 34

80% of nurses report burnout, leading to 100,000 leaving the profession annually.

Statistic 35

By 2030, California faces a shortage of 44,500 nurses.

Statistic 36

Rural hospitals have 20% fewer RNs per patient bed than urban ones.

Statistic 37

LPN shortages projected at 103,000 by 2031.

Statistic 38

62% of nurses intend to leave their jobs within a year due to shortages and workload.

Statistic 39

U.S. nursing schools turned away over 91,000 qualified applicants in 2021 due to faculty shortages.

Statistic 40

ICU nurse vacancy rates average 18% in U.S. hospitals as of 2023.

Statistic 41

Travel nurse dependency increased 200% post-COVID, masking permanent shortages.

Statistic 42

By 2024, 1 in 5 nurses will leave the profession, per NSI survey.

Statistic 43

Nurse-to-patient ratios exceed safe limits in 75% of states without mandates.

Statistic 44

Aging workforce: 50% of RNs over 50, with 20% retiring soon.

Statistic 45

Home health aide shortage projected at 355,000 by 2030.

Statistic 46

41% of new nurses leave within first year due to burnout.

Statistic 47

Florida nurse shortage: 59,100 RNs needed by 2035.

Statistic 48

Operating room nurse shortages delay 25% of elective surgeries.

Statistic 49

70% of nurses report moral distress from staffing shortages.

Statistic 50

CNA shortage projected at 151,000 by 2030.

Statistic 51

Nurse educators shortage: 1,800 faculty vacancies in 2022.

Statistic 52

Post-acute care facilities have 25% RN vacancy rates.

Statistic 53

85% of hospitals furloughed or cut nurse hours pre-COVID, worsening shortages.

Statistic 54

Veterans health needs 10,000 more nurses by 2025.

Statistic 55

Pediatric nursing shortages affect 40% of children's hospitals.

Statistic 56

U.S. needs 1.1 million more nurses by 2030 overall.

Statistic 57

Psychiatric nurse shortage: 30,000 needed by 2025.

Statistic 58

The United States is projected to face a physician shortage of between 37,800 and 124,000 physicians by 2034, including shortfalls in primary and specialty care.

Statistic 59

In 2023, 78% of U.S. physicians reported feeling burned out, contributing to early retirements and exacerbating shortages.

Statistic 60

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) estimates a shortage of up to 86,000 primary care physicians by 2036.

Statistic 61

Rural areas in the U.S. have 40 fewer physicians per 100,000 residents compared to urban areas.

Statistic 62

By 2030, California alone could face a shortage of 2,400 to 6,700 physicians.

Statistic 63

The U.S. surgeon shortage is projected to reach 9,200 to 22,400 by 2036.

Statistic 64

55% of U.S. counties lack a single primary care physician as of 2022.

Statistic 65

Emergency medicine faces a projected shortage of 1,700 to 11,800 physicians by 2033.

Statistic 66

In 2021, the physician supply growth rate was only 0.5% annually, far below demand.

Statistic 67

OB-GYN shortages are expected to hit 8,400 by 2030 in high-need areas.

Statistic 68

The U.S. needs 20,000 more psychiatrists by 2025 due to mental health demands.

Statistic 69

Pediatrician shortages projected at 17,990 to 35,270 by 2036.

Statistic 70

25% of physicians plan to reduce hours or retire early within 2 years due to burnout.

Statistic 71

Anesthesiology faces a shortage of 5,000 to 12,000 by 2036.

Statistic 72

In Texas, physician shortages affect 106 counties with no primary care doctors.

Statistic 73

U.S. medical school enrollment increased by only 6.2% from 2011-2021, insufficient for shortages.

Statistic 74

Pathology projected shortage of 1,300 to 5,800 physicians by 2030.

Statistic 75

1 in 3 U.S. medical practices reported difficulty recruiting physicians in 2023.

Statistic 76

Neurology shortage expected to be 20% above demand by 2025.

Statistic 77

U.S. radiologist shortage projected at 1,300 to 4,300 by 2033.

Statistic 78

Over 50% of physicians are over 55 years old, nearing retirement.

Statistic 79

Orthopedic surgery shortage of 3,710 to 17,800 by 2036.

Statistic 80

In Florida, 64% of the population lives in primary care shortage areas.

Statistic 81

U.S. needs 104,900 more doctors by 2030 to meet demand.

Statistic 82

42% of physicians considered quitting due to administrative burdens in 2022.

Statistic 83

Urology shortage projected at 777 to 2,239 by 2030.

Statistic 84

70% of U.S. counties have no OB-GYNs as of 2023.

Statistic 85

Dermatology faces a shortage of 2,700 physicians by 2030.

Statistic 86

Hospitalists shortage estimated at 25,000 by 2030.

Statistic 87

60% of physicians report inadequate time for patient care due to shortages.

Statistic 88

By 2034, U.S. physician shortage could reach 86,000, costing $11B in lost productivity.

Statistic 89

Global nursing shortage projected at 5.7 million by 2030.

Statistic 90

U.S. healthcare job openings to hit 2.1 million annually through 2031.

Statistic 91

Physician demand to grow 3% annually, supply only 1%, widening gap.

Statistic 92

3.2 million healthcare workers needed globally by 2026 for universal health.

Statistic 93

U.S. home health workers shortage to double to 1M by 2040.

Statistic 94

Aging population to drive 16% growth in personal care aides by 2031.

Statistic 95

Mental health workforce demand up 30% by 2030 due to prevalence rise.

Statistic 96

Rural hospital closures projected to increase 25% without workforce fixes.

Statistic 97

Tech integration could fill 20% of shortages but needs training.

Statistic 98

U.S. lab workforce shortage to reach 100,000 by 2027.

Statistic 99

Pharmacist demand up 2.5% yearly, shortages in rural 10%.

Statistic 100

Physical therapists needed: 135,000 more by 2031.

Statistic 101

Dentist shortage projected at 10,000 by 2030.

Statistic 102

Respiratory therapists: 14% growth, 25,900 openings yearly.

Statistic 103

U.S. will lose 1M healthcare workers to retirement by 2030.

Statistic 104

AI could mitigate 15-30% of shortages in admin roles.

Statistic 105

Post-2030, nurse practitioner growth to fill 25% primary care gap.

Statistic 106

Global health worker density to fall to 4.5 per 1,000 without action.

Statistic 107

U.S. healthcare spending on shortages to reach $68B annually by 2030.

Statistic 108

Underserved urban areas have 50% fewer therapists per capita.

Statistic 109

100 million Americans in primary care shortage areas as of 2023.

Statistic 110

Native American reservations have 1 doctor per 3,500 residents.

Statistic 111

Appalachia region faces 25% higher healthcare worker vacancy rates.

Statistic 112

20% of U.S. rural hospitals at risk of closure due to staffing shortages.

Statistic 113

Mississippi Delta has physician density 50% below national average.

Statistic 114

Puerto Rico has 40% fewer physicians per capita post-hurricanes.

Statistic 115

Texas border counties: No OB-GYNs in 70% of areas.

Statistic 116

28% of U.S. population in dental HPSAs, mostly rural.

Statistic 117

Low-income urban zip codes have 2x wait times for care.

Statistic 118

Alaska Native villages: 1 nurse per 1,000, no doctors.

Statistic 119

South Dakota reservations: 80% healthcare staffing vacancies.

Statistic 120

85% of rural veterans lack timely mental health access.

Statistic 121

Inner-city Chicago: Nurse shortages lead to 30% ER diversion.

Statistic 122

New Mexico rural areas: 1 primary care doc per 4,000.

Statistic 123

50 million in federally designated underserved areas for health pros.

Statistic 124

Harlem, NY: Physician density 60% below suburbs.

Statistic 125

90% of Pacific islands lack specialist physicians.

Statistic 126

Detroit underserved zones: 40% higher vacancy rates.

Statistic 127

Globally, 18 million more health workers needed by 2030, 89% in low-income areas.

1/127

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Imagine a future where getting a doctor's appointment takes months, emergency rooms overflow without enough nurses, and entire regions are left without basic medical care—this isn't a dystopian fiction, but our current trajectory as the United States hurtles toward a catastrophic healthcare workforce shortage, a crisis underscored by projections of a deficit of up to 124,000 physicians and hundreds of thousands of nurses within the next decade.

Key Takeaways

The United States is projected to face a physician shortage of between 37,800 and 124,000 physicians by 2034, including shortfalls in primary and specialty care.
In 2023, 78% of U.S. physicians reported feeling burned out, contributing to early retirements and exacerbating shortages.
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) estimates a shortage of up to 86,000 primary care physicians by 2036.
The U.S. registered nurse shortage is projected to reach 200,000 to 450,000 by 2025.
In 2023, 47% of hospitals reported critical RN staffing shortages.
The U.S. will need an additional 193,100 RNs per year through 2031 to meet demand.
The U.S. faces a shortage of 30,000 to 122,000 psychiatrists by 2025.
Only 28% of mental health needs are met by providers in the U.S., per 2023 data.
Behavioral health workforce shortage affects 111 million Americans in shortage areas.
Underserved urban areas have 50% fewer therapists per capita.
100 million Americans in primary care shortage areas as of 2023.
Native American reservations have 1 doctor per 3,500 residents.
By 2034, U.S. physician shortage could reach 86,000, costing $11B in lost productivity.
Global nursing shortage projected at 5.7 million by 2030.
U.S. healthcare job openings to hit 2.1 million annually through 2031.

The United States faces a severe and widespread shortage of doctors and nurses.

Mental Health

The U.S. faces a shortage of 30,000 to 122,000 psychiatrists by 2025.
Only 28% of mental health needs are met by providers in the U.S., per 2023 data.
Behavioral health workforce shortage affects 111 million Americans in shortage areas.
Psychologist shortage: U.S. needs 20,000 more by 2030.
77% of U.S. counties lack a psychiatrist as of 2022.
Suicide hotline staffing shortages leave 20% of calls unanswered.
Child psychologists: 1 per 1,000 children needed, current ratio 1:1,500.
Rural mental health providers: 66% fewer than urban areas.
60% of psychologists report burnout, accelerating shortages.
Substance use disorder counselors shortage: 40% vacancy rate in facilities.
Veteran mental health wait times average 20 days due to shortages.
School psychologists: National shortage of 15,000 FTE.
Licensed clinical social workers: Demand up 19%, supply lags by 25%.
Marriage and family therapists shortage in 80% of states.
Telepsychiatry covers only 15% of shortage areas effectively.
1 in 5 adults with mental illness receive no treatment due to provider shortages.
Geriatric psychiatrists: Only 1,500 in U.S. for 50 million seniors.
Youth mental health: 50% unmet need due to therapist shortages.
Correctional facilities have 1 mental health provider per 500 inmates.
Post-COVID, child psychiatrist demand up 30%, supply static.
45% of community mental health centers have waitlists over 2 weeks.
Occupational therapists for mental health: Shortage of 10,000 projected.
Peer support specialists: 50% understaffed in recovery programs.
Neurology-psych overlap shortages affect dementia care for 6M patients.
65% of counties have no psychologists.
U.S. 64% of population lives in mental health professional shortage areas.
60 million Americans live in mental health HPSAs.
Rural U.S. has 1 psychiatrist per 30,000 residents vs. 4,000 urban.
76% of rural counties lack mental health providers.

Mental Health Interpretation

The sheer scale of the mental health care gap is staggering, revealing a system so critically understaffed that it's essentially ghosting one in five adults in need while burning out the few providers who remain.

Nurses

The U.S. registered nurse shortage is projected to reach 200,000 to 450,000 by 2025.
In 2023, 47% of hospitals reported critical RN staffing shortages.
The U.S. will need an additional 193,100 RNs per year through 2031 to meet demand.
Nurse turnover rates reached 27.7% in 2022, highest on record.
80% of nurses report burnout, leading to 100,000 leaving the profession annually.
By 2030, California faces a shortage of 44,500 nurses.
Rural hospitals have 20% fewer RNs per patient bed than urban ones.
LPN shortages projected at 103,000 by 2031.
62% of nurses intend to leave their jobs within a year due to shortages and workload.
U.S. nursing schools turned away over 91,000 qualified applicants in 2021 due to faculty shortages.
ICU nurse vacancy rates average 18% in U.S. hospitals as of 2023.
Travel nurse dependency increased 200% post-COVID, masking permanent shortages.
By 2024, 1 in 5 nurses will leave the profession, per NSI survey.
Nurse-to-patient ratios exceed safe limits in 75% of states without mandates.
Aging workforce: 50% of RNs over 50, with 20% retiring soon.
Home health aide shortage projected at 355,000 by 2030.
41% of new nurses leave within first year due to burnout.
Florida nurse shortage: 59,100 RNs needed by 2035.
Operating room nurse shortages delay 25% of elective surgeries.
70% of nurses report moral distress from staffing shortages.
CNA shortage projected at 151,000 by 2030.
Nurse educators shortage: 1,800 faculty vacancies in 2022.
Post-acute care facilities have 25% RN vacancy rates.
85% of hospitals furloughed or cut nurse hours pre-COVID, worsening shortages.
Veterans health needs 10,000 more nurses by 2025.
Pediatric nursing shortages affect 40% of children's hospitals.
U.S. needs 1.1 million more nurses by 2030 overall.
Psychiatric nurse shortage: 30,000 needed by 2025.

Nurses Interpretation

Our healthcare system is hemorrhaging its most vital resource: we're trying to fill a gushing wound with a spray bottle, as an already exhausted nursing workforce watches its ranks dwindle while demand skyrockets.

Physicians

The United States is projected to face a physician shortage of between 37,800 and 124,000 physicians by 2034, including shortfalls in primary and specialty care.
In 2023, 78% of U.S. physicians reported feeling burned out, contributing to early retirements and exacerbating shortages.
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) estimates a shortage of up to 86,000 primary care physicians by 2036.
Rural areas in the U.S. have 40 fewer physicians per 100,000 residents compared to urban areas.
By 2030, California alone could face a shortage of 2,400 to 6,700 physicians.
The U.S. surgeon shortage is projected to reach 9,200 to 22,400 by 2036.
55% of U.S. counties lack a single primary care physician as of 2022.
Emergency medicine faces a projected shortage of 1,700 to 11,800 physicians by 2033.
In 2021, the physician supply growth rate was only 0.5% annually, far below demand.
OB-GYN shortages are expected to hit 8,400 by 2030 in high-need areas.
The U.S. needs 20,000 more psychiatrists by 2025 due to mental health demands.
Pediatrician shortages projected at 17,990 to 35,270 by 2036.
25% of physicians plan to reduce hours or retire early within 2 years due to burnout.
Anesthesiology faces a shortage of 5,000 to 12,000 by 2036.
In Texas, physician shortages affect 106 counties with no primary care doctors.
U.S. medical school enrollment increased by only 6.2% from 2011-2021, insufficient for shortages.
Pathology projected shortage of 1,300 to 5,800 physicians by 2030.
1 in 3 U.S. medical practices reported difficulty recruiting physicians in 2023.
Neurology shortage expected to be 20% above demand by 2025.
U.S. radiologist shortage projected at 1,300 to 4,300 by 2033.
Over 50% of physicians are over 55 years old, nearing retirement.
Orthopedic surgery shortage of 3,710 to 17,800 by 2036.
In Florida, 64% of the population lives in primary care shortage areas.
U.S. needs 104,900 more doctors by 2030 to meet demand.
42% of physicians considered quitting due to administrative burdens in 2022.
Urology shortage projected at 777 to 2,239 by 2030.
70% of U.S. counties have no OB-GYNs as of 2023.
Dermatology faces a shortage of 2,700 physicians by 2030.
Hospitalists shortage estimated at 25,000 by 2030.
60% of physicians report inadequate time for patient care due to shortages.

Physicians Interpretation

Our healthcare system is sprinting toward a cliff where the doctors who haven't already retired from exhaustion are far too few to catch us.

Projections

By 2034, U.S. physician shortage could reach 86,000, costing $11B in lost productivity.
Global nursing shortage projected at 5.7 million by 2030.
U.S. healthcare job openings to hit 2.1 million annually through 2031.
Physician demand to grow 3% annually, supply only 1%, widening gap.
3.2 million healthcare workers needed globally by 2026 for universal health.
U.S. home health workers shortage to double to 1M by 2040.
Aging population to drive 16% growth in personal care aides by 2031.
Mental health workforce demand up 30% by 2030 due to prevalence rise.
Rural hospital closures projected to increase 25% without workforce fixes.
Tech integration could fill 20% of shortages but needs training.
U.S. lab workforce shortage to reach 100,000 by 2027.
Pharmacist demand up 2.5% yearly, shortages in rural 10%.
Physical therapists needed: 135,000 more by 2031.
Dentist shortage projected at 10,000 by 2030.
Respiratory therapists: 14% growth, 25,900 openings yearly.
U.S. will lose 1M healthcare workers to retirement by 2030.
AI could mitigate 15-30% of shortages in admin roles.
Post-2030, nurse practitioner growth to fill 25% primary care gap.
Global health worker density to fall to 4.5 per 1,000 without action.
U.S. healthcare spending on shortages to reach $68B annually by 2030.

Projections Interpretation

These sobering statistics paint a future where our sick and aging population is met not with care, but with a chorus of "sorry, we're short-staffed," proving that the true pre-existing condition threatening our healthcare system is chronic, self-inflicted anemia.

Rural/Underserved

Underserved urban areas have 50% fewer therapists per capita.
100 million Americans in primary care shortage areas as of 2023.
Native American reservations have 1 doctor per 3,500 residents.
Appalachia region faces 25% higher healthcare worker vacancy rates.
20% of U.S. rural hospitals at risk of closure due to staffing shortages.
Mississippi Delta has physician density 50% below national average.
Puerto Rico has 40% fewer physicians per capita post-hurricanes.
Texas border counties: No OB-GYNs in 70% of areas.
28% of U.S. population in dental HPSAs, mostly rural.
Low-income urban zip codes have 2x wait times for care.
Alaska Native villages: 1 nurse per 1,000, no doctors.
South Dakota reservations: 80% healthcare staffing vacancies.
85% of rural veterans lack timely mental health access.
Inner-city Chicago: Nurse shortages lead to 30% ER diversion.
New Mexico rural areas: 1 primary care doc per 4,000.
50 million in federally designated underserved areas for health pros.
Harlem, NY: Physician density 60% below suburbs.
90% of Pacific islands lack specialist physicians.
Detroit underserved zones: 40% higher vacancy rates.
Globally, 18 million more health workers needed by 2030, 89% in low-income areas.

Rural/Underserved Interpretation

The statistics paint a stark and geographically diverse portrait of American healthcare, where your access to a doctor or therapist depends less on your insurance card and more on your zip code, a lottery that leaves tens of millions holding a losing ticket.

Sources & References

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