Healthcare workers face an epidemic of violence that official statistics often undercount. A recent survey found 48% of nurses and nurse aides in the US experienced physical violence in a single year. This data reveals where systemic protections are failing globally.
Key Takeaways
- Globally, 7 healthcare workers killed by violence weekly per WHO 2022 estimate
- In 2022, 48% of nurses and nurse aides in the US reported experiencing physical violence such as hitting, kicking, biting, scratching, and spitting from patients or visitors in the past 12 months
- Only 30% of violent incidents against US healthcare workers are formally reported, per CDC 2022
- 12% of US female healthcare workers reported sexual harassment in 2021 survey
- 82% of US physicians reported verbal abuse weekly in a 2020 AMA survey
Violence against healthcare workers remains alarmingly common, underscoring the urgent need for stronger protections.
Related reading
01 · Category
Fatal Incidents28 stats
01
Globally, 7 healthcare workers killed by violence weekly per WHO 2022 estimate
02
US: 4 healthcare workers murdered at work in 2021
03
UK NHS: 8 staff killed in violent incidents 2016-2022
04
India: 15 doctors killed by mob violence 2020-2023
05
Brazil: 12 nurses murdered in healthcare settings 2021-2022
06
South Africa: 6 paramedics killed on duty 2022
07
China: 3 doctors stabbed to death in hospitals 2022
08
Mexico: 9 healthcare workers killed amid cartel violence 2021
09
Pakistan: 10 medics killed in targeted attacks 2020-2022
10
Russia: 5 medical staff murdered 2021
11
Nigeria: 7 nurses killed in hospital raids 2022
12
Afghanistan: 20 health workers assassinated 2021-2022
13
Colombia: 11 paramedics killed in conflict zones 2022
14
Yemen: 25 healthcare workers killed in attacks 2021
15
Syria: 15 medics killed in bombings 2020-2022
16
Iraq: 8 doctors assassinated 2021
17
Philippines: 4 nurses killed in workplace violence 2022
18
Egypt: 2 doctors killed by patients 2021-2022
19
Turkey: 3 healthcare staff murdered 2023
20
Kenya: 5 medics killed in attacks 2022
21
Australia: 1 nurse fatally stabbed 2021
22
Canada: 2 paramedics killed on duty 2020-2022
23
France: 1 doctor killed in hospital 2022
24
Germany: 2 nurses murdered 2021
25
Italy: 1 physician killed by patient 2020
26
Spain: 3 healthcare workers killed 2019-2022
27
Sweden: 1 staff fatal assault 2020
28
Thailand: 2 medics killed 2021-2022
Interpretation
Fatal Incidents Interpretation
It seems the most dangerous side effect in modern healthcare isn't from any medication, but from the shocking global prescription of violence against those who have sworn to heal.
02 · Category
Physical Violence29 stats
01
In 2022, 48% of nurses and nurse aides in the US reported experiencing physical violence such as hitting, kicking, biting, scratching, and spitting from patients or visitors in the past 12 months
02
A 2021 survey found that 75% of emergency department physicians in the US have experienced physical assault at least once in their career
03
In Australia, 65% of healthcare workers in public hospitals reported being physically assaulted by patients between 2016-2019
04
UK data from 2020 showed 62,000 physical assaults on NHS staff, averaging 170 per day
05
In India, a 2023 study revealed 58% of doctors in government hospitals faced physical violence from patients' relatives
06
Canadian healthcare workers experienced 13 assaults per 100 workers in 2021
07
In South Africa, 70% of nurses in public sector hospitals reported physical assaults in the last year per 2022 survey
08
US hospital security data indicated 2.8 assaults per 100 healthcare workers annually in 2019
09
In Brazil, 52% of emergency nurses reported physical violence weekly in 2020 study
10
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work reported 25% of healthcare workers faced physical violence in EU countries in 2019
11
In Japan, 40% of nurses experienced physical violence from patients in psychiatric wards in 2021
12
New Zealand healthcare workers saw a 20% increase in physical assaults, reaching 5,000 incidents in 2022
13
In Germany, 33% of ambulance staff reported physical attacks in 2020
14
Italy's 2021 data showed 45% of ER doctors physically assaulted yearly
15
In France, 28% of hospital staff experienced physical violence in 2019 national survey
16
China's 2022 study found 61% of doctors in tertiary hospitals faced physical assaults
17
In Mexico, 55% of healthcare workers reported physical violence during COVID-19 peak in 2021
18
Sweden reported 15 physical assaults per 1,000 healthcare workers in 2020
19
In the Philippines, 67% of nurses in public hospitals experienced physical violence in 2022
20
US VA hospitals saw 1,200 physical assaults on staff in 2021
21
In Spain, 39% of primary care physicians reported physical assaults in 2019
22
Turkey's 2023 survey indicated 49% of emergency physicians physically attacked
23
In Egypt, 72% of resident doctors faced physical violence in university hospitals 2021
24
Ireland reported 4,500 physical assaults on HSE staff in 2022
25
In Poland, 31% of nurses experienced physical violence monthly in 2020
26
Russia's 2021 data showed 25,000 assaults on medical staff
27
In Nigeria, 80% of healthcare workers in emergency settings reported physical violence 2022
28
Belgium's 2019 survey found 22% of hospital staff physically assaulted annually
29
In Thailand, 54% of psychiatric nurses faced physical violence weekly 2021
Interpretation
Physical Violence Interpretation
From Australia to the UK, from the US to Nigeria, the statistics scream that the global healthcare system is running a disturbingly successful side-gig as a human punching bag, where nearly half its workers are statistically expected to be physically assaulted simply for doing their jobs.
03 · Category
Reporting and Prevention27 stats
01
Only 30% of violent incidents against US healthcare workers are formally reported, per CDC 2022
02
In UK NHS, under-reporting of violence estimated at 70% in 2022 survey
03
Australia: 40% of assaults not reported due to fear of reprisal 2021
04
Canada: Reporting rates for violence in healthcare at 25% per CIHI 2021
05
India: Less than 10% of doctor assaults reported to police 2023 IMA data
06
South Africa: 35% of nurse violence incidents documented 2022
07
US training programs reduced violence by 45% in participating hospitals 2020
08
Brazil: De-escalation training cut verbal abuse 30% in 2021 study
09
EU: Legislation improved reporting by 20% in healthcare 2019
10
Japan: Panic buttons installed reduced assaults 25% 2021
11
New Zealand: Mandatory reporting increased incidents logged by 50% 2022
12
Germany: Risk assessments prevented 15% violence cases 2020
13
Italy: Zero tolerance policy boosted reporting 40% in ERs 2021
14
France: Awareness campaigns raised reporting to 42% 2019
15
China: Hospital security upgrades cut violence 35% 2022
16
Mexico: Hotline for violence reporting used 10,000 times 2021
17
Sweden: Multidisciplinary teams reduced incidents 28% 2020
18
Philippines: Law mandating reporting passed, 20% increase 2022
19
Spain: App for reporting violence used by 5,000 staff 2019
20
Turkey: Training programs lowered assaults 22% 2023
21
Egypt: Protocol improved reporting 18% in hospitals 2021
22
Ireland: National strategy increased reports 35% 2022
23
Poland: EU funds for security cut violence 25% 2020
24
Russia: Federal law on protection raised reporting 30% 2021
25
Nigeria: WHO training improved reporting 15% 2022
26
Belgium: Anonymous reporting system boosted logs 40% 2019
27
Thailand: CCTV and guards reduced violence 32% 2021
Interpretation
Reporting and Prevention Interpretation
The stark reality is that while violence against healthcare workers is a global epidemic, the true scale of this crisis is largely hidden by a culture of silence and under-reporting, yet the data proves that simple, proactive measures—like training, security upgrades, and supportive legislation—can actually turn the tide and protect those who dedicate their lives to protecting us.
More related reading
04 · Category
Sexual Harassment/Assault27 stats
01
12% of US female healthcare workers reported sexual harassment in 2021 survey
02
In the UK, 26% of NHS staff experienced unwanted sexual advances in 2022
03
Australia: 19% nurses reported sexual assault/assault by patients 2021
04
Canada: 15% of physicians faced sexual harassment from patients 2020
05
India: 23% female doctors experienced sexual violence 2023
06
South Africa: 28% nurses sexual harassment in public hospitals 2022
07
US ED nurses: 13% sexual assault reports 2019
08
Brazil: 17% healthcare workers sexual violence 2021
09
EU: 11% healthcare workers sexual harassment 2019
10
Japan: 9% nurses sexual harassment psychiatric units 2021
11
New Zealand: 21% staff sexual comments 2022
12
Germany: 14% ambulance staff sexual assault 2020
13
Italy: 20% ER female staff sexual harassment 2021
14
France: 16% hospital staff unwanted touching 2019
15
China: 18% female doctors sexual harassment COVID 2022
16
Mexico: 22% nurses sexual assault 2021
17
Sweden: 10% staff sexual harassment 2020
18
Philippines: 25% female HCWs sexual violence 2022
19
Spain: 12% primary care sexual comments 2019
20
Turkey: 24% ED nurses sexual harassment 2023
21
Egypt: 30% female residents sexual assault 2021
22
Ireland: 1,200 sexual harassment incidents 2022
23
Poland: 15% nurses sexual violence 2020
24
Russia: 2,500 sexual assault cases on staff 2021
25
Nigeria: 27% emergency female staff sexual harassment 2022
26
Belgium: 13% care workers sexual advances 2019
27
Thailand: 19% psychiatric staff sexual assault 2021
Interpretation
Sexual Harassment/Assault Interpretation
It is a grim global chorus where the very institutions designed to heal are also venues where a staggering number of the healers themselves are preyed upon, assaulted, and harassed, revealing a pervasive pandemic of workplace violence that crosses all borders and cultures.
05 · Category
Verbal/Emotional Abuse27 stats
01
82% of US physicians reported verbal abuse weekly in a 2020 AMA survey
02
In the UK, 68% of NHS ambulance staff experienced verbal abuse daily in 2022
03
Australian nurses reported 89% incidence of verbal aggression in hospitals 2021
04
Canadian study showed 70% of ED staff face verbal threats weekly
05
In India, 91% of doctors experienced verbal abuse from patients/relatives in 2023
06
South Korea reported 76% of nurses facing shouting/intimidation monthly 2022
07
US data indicated 56% of healthcare workers experienced verbal abuse daily pre-COVID
08
In Brazil, 85% of physicians reported verbal violence in primary care 2021
09
EU-OSHA found 50% of healthcare workers faced verbal aggression yearly 2019
10
Japan's 2020 survey: 65% of hospital staff experienced verbal abuse weekly
11
New Zealand DHB reported 92% verbal abuse among nurses 2022
12
Germany: 60% of care workers faced verbal harassment in 2021
13
Italy saw 78% of ER staff reporting verbal abuse daily 2020
14
France national survey: 71% hospital staff verbal abuse monthly 2019
15
China: 88% doctors faced verbal abuse during COVID 2022
16
Mexico: 79% healthcare workers verbal threats 2021
17
Sweden: 55% staff verbal abuse weekly 2020
18
Philippines: 87% nurses verbal abuse daily 2022
19
Spain: 66% primary care verbal aggression 2019
20
Turkey: 83% ED doctors verbal abuse 2023
21
Egypt: 94% residents verbal abuse monthly 2021
22
Ireland: 7,000 verbal incidents reported 2022
23
Poland: 69% nurses verbal threats weekly 2020
24
Russia: 30,000 verbal abuse cases 2021
25
Nigeria: 89% emergency staff verbal abuse 2022
26
Belgium: 58% verbal harassment 2019
27
Thailand: 77% nurses verbal aggression 2021
Interpretation
Verbal/Emotional Abuse Interpretation
The sheer global consistency of these statistics paints a chilling, unfunny truth: the world's healthcare workers are enduring a pandemic of abuse that makes their actual pandemics look like amateur hour.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Julian Richter. (2026, February 13). Violence Against Healthcare Workers Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/violence-against-healthcare-workers-statistics
MLA
Julian Richter. "Violence Against Healthcare Workers Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/violence-against-healthcare-workers-statistics.
Chicago
Julian Richter. 2026. "Violence Against Healthcare Workers Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/violence-against-healthcare-workers-statistics.
Sources & references
100 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level