GITNUXREPORT 2025

Midwife Statistics

Global midwife shortage risks maternal health, survival, and care quality worldwide.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The global shortage of midwives is estimated at 900,000

Statistic 2

There are approximately 1.98 million midwives worldwide as of 2022

Statistic 3

In low-income countries, there are fewer than 20 midwives per 10,000 people

Statistic 4

Midwives perform around 60-80% of all births in many developing countries

Statistic 5

The average salary of a midwife varies globally, with midwives in high-income countries earning between $50,000 and $85,000 annually

Statistic 6

The World Health Organization recommends at least 22.8 midwives, nurses, and skilled birth attendants per 10,000 population

Statistic 7

The percentage of pregnancies attended by skilled health personnel, including midwives, is approximately 81% worldwide

Statistic 8

The Global midwife workforce is projected to need a 40% increase to meet future global maternal health targets

Statistic 9

Most countries report a midwife-to-population ratio below the WHO recommended level, underscoring the need for workforce expansion

Statistic 10

The proportion of births attended by midwives tends to be higher in middle- and high-income countries compared to low-income countries

Statistic 11

Midwifery education standards are set by the International Confederation of Midwives to ensure quality care globally

Statistic 12

In some countries, national programs have successfully increased midwife workforce by over 50% in the past decade

Statistic 13

In sub-Saharan Africa, the density of skilled health personnel, including midwives, is less than 10 per 10,000 population

Statistic 14

The number of midwives per 1,000 live births is used as an indicator of maternal health service coverage

Statistic 15

In the UK, the ratio of midwives to births is approximately 1:25, ensuring personalized care

Statistic 16

There is a growing shortage of midwives in rural areas globally, affecting maternal and neonatal outcomes

Statistic 17

The percentage of midwives practicing in urban areas is approximately 70%, reflecting uneven distribution

Statistic 18

The typical length of midwifery training varies from 2 to 4 years depending on the country

Statistic 19

The maternal mortality rate is 14 times higher in areas with severe midwife shortages

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Midwife-led care significantly reduces unnecessary medical interventions during childbirth

Statistic 21

Midwives can decrease the need for cesarean sections by up to 30% with proper care and support

Statistic 22

In some regions, over 60% of maternal deaths are preventable with adequate midwifery care

Statistic 23

Approximately 89% of women in high-income countries give birth in hospitals, with midwives playing a key role

Statistic 24

Midwives contribute to reducing neonatal mortality rates through early detection and management of complications

Statistic 25

The World Health Organization emphasizes the role of midwives in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3, which aims to reduce maternal mortality

Statistic 26

Midwives' involvement in community-based care helps reduce disparities in maternal health outcomes

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Midwives trained in emergency obstetric care are vital in reducing maternal mortality in resource-limited settings

Statistic 28

In some regions, midwifery training programs have increased in quality and scope, leading to better health outcomes

Statistic 29

Investment in midwifery education correlates with reductions in maternal and neonatal mortality rates

Statistic 30

Expanding the midwifery workforce has been shown to save more than 400,000 maternal lives annually globally

Statistic 31

Approximately 75% of maternal deaths in some developing regions can be prevented with proper midwife-attended care

Statistic 32

The World Health Organization recommends a minimum of four antenatal visits, with midwives often leading these interventions

Statistic 33

A survey in the UK showed that midwives spend about 75% of their time on direct patient care

Statistic 34

In the United States, approximately 10,000 certified nurse-midwives and midwives provide reproductive health services

Statistic 35

Midwives are trained to provide antenatal care, delivery, postpartum care, and family planning services

Statistic 36

In many countries, midwives are the primary caregivers for women during pregnancy and childbirth

Statistic 37

Midwives are trained to provide not only maternal care but also reproductive health education and advocacy

Statistic 38

Midwives' scope of practice includes screening for conditions like hypertension and diabetes during pregnancy

Statistic 39

Continuous professional development is required for midwives to stay current with clinical guidelines, with most countries requiring at least 20 hours annually

Statistic 40

The role of midwives extends to providing mental health support during pregnancy and postpartum

Statistic 41

Midwifery practice includes educational roles, helping new mothers and families understand pregnancy and birth processes

Statistic 42

Midwifery-led units are associated with high maternal satisfaction scores in multiple studies worldwide

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Midwives are often the first point of contact for women in reproductive health in rural and underserved areas

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Midwives are increasingly involved in digital health initiatives to improve maternal health outcomes

Statistic 45

In Australia, midwives have full autonomous prescribing rights after certification, reflecting advanced practice status

Statistic 46

Midwives contribute significantly to sustainable health development goals, especially in resource-limited settings

Statistic 47

Midwives are involved in policy advocacy to improve maternal health services and reduction strategies

Statistic 48

Midwifery is recognized as a key component of primary healthcare systems worldwide

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Key Highlights

The global shortage of midwives is estimated at 900,000
There are approximately 1.98 million midwives worldwide as of 2022
In low-income countries, there are fewer than 20 midwives per 10,000 people
Midwives perform around 60-80% of all births in many developing countries
The maternal mortality rate is 14 times higher in areas with severe midwife shortages
Midwife-led care significantly reduces unnecessary medical interventions during childbirth
A survey in the UK showed that midwives spend about 75% of their time on direct patient care
In the United States, approximately 10,000 certified nurse-midwives and midwives provide reproductive health services
Midwives are trained to provide antenatal care, delivery, postpartum care, and family planning services
The average salary of a midwife varies globally, with midwives in high-income countries earning between $50,000 and $85,000 annually
In many countries, midwives are the primary caregivers for women during pregnancy and childbirth
The World Health Organization recommends at least 22.8 midwives, nurses, and skilled birth attendants per 10,000 population
Midwives can decrease the need for cesarean sections by up to 30% with proper care and support

With nearly two million midwives worldwide yet an urgent global shortfall of 900,000, these essential caregivers are at the heart of reducing maternal mortality, expanding access to prenatal and postpartum care, and transforming childbirth experiences across diverse health systems.

Global and Regional Midwife Statistics

The global shortage of midwives is estimated at 900,000
There are approximately 1.98 million midwives worldwide as of 2022
In low-income countries, there are fewer than 20 midwives per 10,000 people
Midwives perform around 60-80% of all births in many developing countries
The average salary of a midwife varies globally, with midwives in high-income countries earning between $50,000 and $85,000 annually
The World Health Organization recommends at least 22.8 midwives, nurses, and skilled birth attendants per 10,000 population
The percentage of pregnancies attended by skilled health personnel, including midwives, is approximately 81% worldwide
The Global midwife workforce is projected to need a 40% increase to meet future global maternal health targets
Most countries report a midwife-to-population ratio below the WHO recommended level, underscoring the need for workforce expansion
The proportion of births attended by midwives tends to be higher in middle- and high-income countries compared to low-income countries

Global and Regional Midwife Statistics Interpretation

Despite nearly two million midwives worldwide, a staggering 900,000 are still needed—highlighting that in many low-income nations, scarce midwives and suboptimal ratios threaten to turn childbirth into a global game of chance, while the call for workforce expansion echoes louder than ever.

Healthcare Workforce and Education

Midwifery education standards are set by the International Confederation of Midwives to ensure quality care globally
In some countries, national programs have successfully increased midwife workforce by over 50% in the past decade
In sub-Saharan Africa, the density of skilled health personnel, including midwives, is less than 10 per 10,000 population
The number of midwives per 1,000 live births is used as an indicator of maternal health service coverage
In the UK, the ratio of midwives to births is approximately 1:25, ensuring personalized care
There is a growing shortage of midwives in rural areas globally, affecting maternal and neonatal outcomes
The percentage of midwives practicing in urban areas is approximately 70%, reflecting uneven distribution
The typical length of midwifery training varies from 2 to 4 years depending on the country

Healthcare Workforce and Education Interpretation

While global efforts and standards aim to elevate midwifery care, the stark disparities—especially the woeful scarcity in sub-Saharan Africa and urban-centric distribution—highlight that achieving truly equitable maternal health remains a marathon, not a sprint.

Maternal and Neonatal Health Outcomes

The maternal mortality rate is 14 times higher in areas with severe midwife shortages
Midwife-led care significantly reduces unnecessary medical interventions during childbirth
Midwives can decrease the need for cesarean sections by up to 30% with proper care and support
In some regions, over 60% of maternal deaths are preventable with adequate midwifery care
Approximately 89% of women in high-income countries give birth in hospitals, with midwives playing a key role
Midwives contribute to reducing neonatal mortality rates through early detection and management of complications
The World Health Organization emphasizes the role of midwives in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3, which aims to reduce maternal mortality
Midwives' involvement in community-based care helps reduce disparities in maternal health outcomes
Midwives trained in emergency obstetric care are vital in reducing maternal mortality in resource-limited settings
In some regions, midwifery training programs have increased in quality and scope, leading to better health outcomes
Investment in midwifery education correlates with reductions in maternal and neonatal mortality rates
Expanding the midwifery workforce has been shown to save more than 400,000 maternal lives annually globally
Approximately 75% of maternal deaths in some developing regions can be prevented with proper midwife-attended care
The World Health Organization recommends a minimum of four antenatal visits, with midwives often leading these interventions

Maternal and Neonatal Health Outcomes Interpretation

A robust midwifery workforce not only saves lives—globally over 400,000 annually—but also proves that when we invest in midwives, we're investing in healthier mothers and babies, turning the tide on preventable tragedies with both wit and seriousness.

Midwifery Practice and Roles

A survey in the UK showed that midwives spend about 75% of their time on direct patient care
In the United States, approximately 10,000 certified nurse-midwives and midwives provide reproductive health services
Midwives are trained to provide antenatal care, delivery, postpartum care, and family planning services
In many countries, midwives are the primary caregivers for women during pregnancy and childbirth
Midwives are trained to provide not only maternal care but also reproductive health education and advocacy
Midwives' scope of practice includes screening for conditions like hypertension and diabetes during pregnancy
Continuous professional development is required for midwives to stay current with clinical guidelines, with most countries requiring at least 20 hours annually
The role of midwives extends to providing mental health support during pregnancy and postpartum
Midwifery practice includes educational roles, helping new mothers and families understand pregnancy and birth processes
Midwifery-led units are associated with high maternal satisfaction scores in multiple studies worldwide
Midwives are often the first point of contact for women in reproductive health in rural and underserved areas
Midwives are increasingly involved in digital health initiatives to improve maternal health outcomes
In Australia, midwives have full autonomous prescribing rights after certification, reflecting advanced practice status

Midwifery Practice and Roles Interpretation

Midwives globally are indispensable navigators in the complex journey of maternal health, dedicating the majority of their time to direct care, while adapting to diverse roles—from clinical screening and education to mental health support and digital innovation—highlighting their vital, evolving contribution to women's well-being across varied healthcare landscapes.

Midwives Practice and Roles

Midwives contribute significantly to sustainable health development goals, especially in resource-limited settings

Midwives Practice and Roles Interpretation

Midwives are the unsung heroes turning the tide towards sustainable health development, proving that sometimes, saving lives with limited resources is the most impactful form of progress.

Policy, Advocacy, and Workforce Development

Midwives are involved in policy advocacy to improve maternal health services and reduction strategies
Midwifery is recognized as a key component of primary healthcare systems worldwide

Policy, Advocacy, and Workforce Development Interpretation

Midwives, champions of maternal health policy and pivotal players in primary healthcare, underscore that supporting their role isn't just good practice—it's essential for healthier mothers worldwide.