New PAHO report reveals that 14 countries in the Americas face health worker shortages – PAHO/WHO

Without intervention, the region could face a deficit between 600,000 and 2 million health workers by 2030

Washington, DC, April 30, 2025 (PAHO) – A new report by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the health workforce in the Americas: regional data and indicators, reveals that 14 of the 39 countries of the Americas lack sufficient doctors, nurses and midwives to meet the health needs of their populations. Without immediate interventions, the Americas could face a deficit between 600,000 and 2 million health workers by 2030, which compromises access and coverage of universal health.

«The health workforce is the backbone of our medical care systems; without health workers, it is simply not possible to talk about universal access or universal coverage,» said Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, director of the PAHO. «This report provides us with concrete data to guide investment in training, retention and decent working conditions, ensuring that medical care reaches everyone,» he added.

With an average of 66.57 health workers for 10,000 population, the region exceeds the WHO point of 44.5. However, the great inequalities persist: while countries such as Haiti (6.38) and Honduras (7.13) face critical shortages, Cuba and the United States have almost four times the objective number. Factors such as limited training capacity, a work force that ages, migration (especially in the Caribbean) and unequal distribution expands the gap.

A diagnosis for action

The report examines the situation of the health workforce in the Americas based on eight key occupations (doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, psychologists and community health workers) and broken down information by country. Among the most relevant findings are aspects related to the availability, distribution and composition of the workforce.

Nursing, the occupation for which the largest amount of data is available, is predominantly feminine (89.78%), with a density that varies considerably, ranging from 131.5 nurses for every 10,000 population in the United States to only 3.84 in Haiti. While the regional average for doctors still shows a slight male majority (51.3%), one third of the countries report more medical women than men, which reflects a continuous process of feminization of the profession.

Only 14 countries reported data on psychologists, with the highest proportions reported by Argentina (17,98 for 10,000 population) and Costa Rica (16.85). Despite their essential role in mental health care, data gaps persist. The same is true for community health workers, which are key in primary health care. However, data on these workers are scarce outside Brazil and some Caribbean countries.

Gríster is also a key occupation, since the attention provided by the parcels qualified during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum period can change the lives of mothers and children. However, the development of midwifery in the region is limited. Midwives have a relatively considerable presence only in English -speaking Caribbean countries, such as Antigua and Barbuda, and in some South American countries, such as Chile.

Thirty -four countries reported dentists. Cuba (16.71), Chile (14.81) and Paraguay (12.81) have the highest densities. Twenty -three countries reported figures on pharmacists: Costa Rica had the highest density (11.56), followed by Canada (10.54) and the United States (10.45). Only 18 countries provided data on physiotherapists. Chile leads, with a density of 18.46, followed by the United States (8.79).

The majority of health workers are between 35 and 44 years of age, indicating a relatively young workforce. However, aging is a concern in countries such as the United States and Guatemala, where almost half of the doctors are 55 years old or older, which underlines the need to train new generations.

«Without a decisive action, these gaps will limit the ability of health systems to respond to the needs of the population,» said Dr. James Fitzgerald, director of the Paho Health Systems and Services Department. «This report is a compass for governments. With solid information and technical cooperation systems, we can train more professionals and take them to where they need more, in rural areas and marginalized communities,» he added.

Data -based solutions

The PAHO advocates strengthening human resources for health information systems (HRHIS) to monitor and plan, increase training in gratefully and psychology, and design intersectoral policies to retain talent.

The report concludes that, without strategic investments in training, regulation, working conditions and distribution of health workers, it will not be possible to move towards truly universal, equitable and resistant health systems.

«The challenge is not only to have more health professionals, but to make sure that they are where they are most necessary and that they have the right skills to meet the demands of the population,» said Dr. Barbosa.