WHO Warns Ageing Health Workforce Could Widen Gaps in Care
[ Back to News Page ] Dated: 21-Oct-2026
Illustrative stock photo: Gustavo Fring / Pexels. This image is not a photograph of the WHO report.
Published: 21 October 2026 | WHO update: 19 October 2026
The World Health Organization has warned that an ageing health workforce and unequal distribution of staff could put further pressure on access to essential care.
More workers, but persistent inequalities
In an update published on 19 October, WHO says there are now more than 70 million health and care workers worldwide. Yet workforce gains have not been shared equally between countries and regions.
The report projects a global shortfall of 11.1 million health workers by 2030. Based on the latest available data from 122 countries, nearly one in four doctors on average is older than 55 and expected to retire over the next decade.
Planning for future care needs
WHO highlights a double challenge: health workers are ageing while population ageing increases demand for services. The report calls for stronger planning, education, employment and retention policies, supported by better workforce data.
These figures describe the global workforce. They do not establish the size of any shortage in Malaysia.
Source: World Health Organization, 19 October 2026.
Health news for general information; not individual medical advice.
