GCC nursing workforce grows steadily over decade

Total nursing staff reaches 413,200

According to the latest data from the GCC Statistical Centre, the total number of nursing personnel reached approximately 413,200 by the end of 2024. This growth reflects continued development of healthcare systems and strengthened human resources across GCC countries.

Over the past decade, the number of nurses increased by around 150,000, highlighting accelerated investment in healthcare workforce development to meet rising demand and improve service quality.

Key role in healthcare systems

Nursing personnel accounted for 30.3% of the total healthcare workforce in GCC countries, underscoring their central role in supporting healthcare delivery and ensuring the sustainability of medical services.

The data also showed that 62.4% of nurses work in government healthcare facilities, indicating strong reliance on the public sector for delivering both treatment and preventive care.

Rising participation of national talent and women

The share of GCC national nurses increased to 30.3% in 2024, up from 29.6% in 2023. This reflects ongoing efforts to empower national talent and encourage participation in the nursing profession.

Women represent 73.6% of the nursing workforce across GCC countries, aligning with global trends in the profession.

Workforce density above global average

In terms of density, the GCC recorded 67.5 nurses per 10,000 people in 2024, significantly higher than the global average of 37.7 per 10,000, according to the World HealthOrganisation(WHO).

Globally, there were about 29.8 million nurses in 2023, with women making up around 67% of the nursing and midwifery workforce.

Importance of nursing in healthcare development

These indicators highlight the essential role of nursing staff as the backbone of healthcare systems. Their contribution to patient care, prevention, and health awareness supports GCC efforts to strengthen healthcare systems and improve the quality of medical services across the region.