According to CEOWORLD magazine, 35 countries have less than one nurse or midwife per 1,000 people. Somalia (1.13), Cameroon (1.93), Chad (1.98), Sierra Leone (2.04), Niger (2.02), Central African Republic (2.35), Equatorial Guinea (2.7), Benin (2.91), and Madagascar (2.92) are the countries with less than three nurses/midwives per 10,000 people.
Nurses and midwives play a crucial role in healthcare, particularly in rural areas where they are often the sole medical support available. Doctors are more expensive and tend to be located in urban areas. Without nurses and midwives, it would be much harder to combat contagious and vaccine-preventable diseases like measles, tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV/AIDS.
These professionals provide early screening, prevention, and treatment to those who would otherwise have no access to healthcare. Their contribution to improving global public health extends beyond just treating diseases. They also help improve maternal and newborn health.
In 2024, the countries that require nurses and midwives the most will be those with the lowest number of healthcare providers.
Nurses and Midwives (per 10,000 population)
| Rank | Country | Region | Nurses and Midwives (per 10,000 population) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Somalia | Eastern Mediterranean | 1.13 |
| 2 | Cameroon | Africa | 1.93 |
| 3 | Chad | Africa | 1.98 |
| 4 | Sierra Leone | Africa | 2.04 |
| 5 | Niger | Africa | 2.22 |
| 6 | Central African Republic | Africa | 2.35 |
| 7 | Equatorial Guinea | Africa | 2.7 |
| 8 | Benin | Africa | 2.91 |
| 9 | Madagascar | Africa | 2.92 |
| 10 | Senegal | Africa | 3.57 |
Have you read?
Ranked: These are the best countries in the world for digital nomads and expatriates, in 2024.
Ranked: Countries with the Highest and Lowest Depression Rates, 2024.
Ranked: Countries with the Highest and Lowest Doctors Per Capita, 2024.
Ranked: Countries with the Highest Smoking Rates, 2024.
Ranked: These countries have the least access to safe drinking water in the world, 2024.
