This peer-reviewed ScienceDirect study examines the global shortage of midwives and its implications for improving maternal and newborn health outcomes worldwide. Midwives are recognized as a critical component of health systems and are essential to achieving the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on reducing maternal and infant mortality and improving access to skilled birth care. The study provides updated global and regional estimates of the midwifery workforce gap and projects future needs through 2030 using internationally recognized workforce data sources.
The researchers estimated the global midwife shortage by comparing the number of midwives required to deliver universal coverage of essential midwifery interventions with the current number of practicing midwives worldwide. Two modeling scenarios were used to improve accuracy and coverage. Scenario 1 relied on data from the World Health Organization’s National Health Workforce Accounts platform and included 135 countries, representing about 45% of women of reproductive age globally. Scenario 2 expanded the dataset by incorporating additional regional workforce information from United Nations Population Fund reports, covering 181 countries and approximately 82% of women of reproductive age.
Across both scenarios, the study found a substantial global shortage of midwives. Scenario 1 estimated a deficit of approximately 710,000 midwives worldwide, while Scenario 2 estimated an even larger gap of about 980,000 midwives. Although both models project a slight reduction in the shortage by 2030, the overall deficit remains significant. The findings also show that the shortage is not evenly distributed, with the greatest gaps concentrated in the African region and other low-resource settings, where health systems are already under the most strain.
The study highlights that while the number of newly trained midwives is increasing in several regions, workforce growth is only just keeping pace with rising population needs. In particular, significant population growth in Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean regions is expected to further increase demand for midwifery services. As a result, even with current training efforts, the global shortage is not expected to substantially improve by 2030 without additional intervention.
These findings have important public health and clinical implications. A continued shortage of midwives limits access to essential services such as skilled birth attendance, prenatal care, postpartum support, and emergency obstetric care. This workforce gap directly impacts maternal and newborn health outcomes, particularly in underserved and low-resource communities. The study emphasizes the urgent need for expanded investment in midwifery education, training, and workforce development to ensure equitable access to safe and effective maternal healthcare.
Overall, this research underscores a persistent and significant global midwifery workforce crisis. Despite progress in increasing the number of trained midwives, current supply remains insufficient to meet global demand. Without substantial investment and strategic workforce planning, large-scale shortages are expected to persist through 2030, limiting progress in improving maternal and newborn health outcomes worldwide.
