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South Asia faces one of the world’s most significant health workforce shortages, creating a major obstacle to achieving universal health coverage (UHC), according to global health workforce research. The shortage of doctors, nurses, midwives and other health professionals remains particularly challenging in regions where populations are large and health systems already face substantial pressure.
A major systematic analysis of 204 countries and territories found that South Asia had among the lowest densities of health workers globally, alongside sub-Saharan Africa and North Africa and the Middle East. The study estimated that substantial expansion of the global health workforce would be required to reach high levels of universal health coverage.
South Asia Faces a Major Health Workforce Gap
Health workers are the foundation of any health system. Doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, dentists and other professionals are needed to provide preventive care, diagnosis, treatment and long-term support.
However, the availability of these workers varies significantly between regions.
The Global Burden of Disease Study analysis found that South Asia had one of the lowest health workforce densities among the world’s major regions. The findings are particularly important because South Asia is home to a huge population, meaning even relatively small workforce gaps can translate into millions of people facing limited access to health services.
The challenge is not simply about the total number of health workers. Their distribution between urban and rural areas, different professions and different levels of care also determines whether people can access essential services.
Why Health Workers Are Critical for Universal Health Coverage
Universal health coverage means that people should be able to access the health services they need without suffering financial hardship.
Achieving this goal requires sufficient numbers of trained health professionals who are available where services are needed.
Without enough doctors and nurses, even countries that invest heavily in hospitals, medicines and medical technology may struggle to deliver effective health care.
The research found that reaching a UHC effective coverage index of 80 out of 100 would require minimum workforce densities of approximately 20.7 physicians, 70.6 nurses and midwives, 8.2 dentistry personnel and 9.4 pharmaceutical personnel per 10,000 people.
These benchmarks illustrate the scale of the workforce challenge facing many health systems.
The Shortage Is Not Limited to Doctors
Public discussions about health workforce shortages often focus on doctors. However, the global evidence shows that the problem extends across multiple health professions.
Nurses and midwives represent a particularly important part of the health system. They provide frontline care, maternal and child health services, chronic disease management and support for patients in hospitals and communities.
The WHO’s latest health workforce report also highlights persistent disparities in workforce availability and distribution across countries and income groups. The organization says sustained investment in health workforce planning and monitoring remains necessary to support universal health coverage.
For South Asian countries, strengthening the entire health workforce—not simply increasing the number of physicians—will therefore be essential.
India and Other South Asian Countries Face Uneven Distribution
South Asia’s workforce challenge also involves geographical inequality.
Large cities often attract a greater concentration of doctors, specialists and private health facilities, while rural and remote communities can face much more limited access.
India provides an important example. Recent research has highlighted persistent shortages and distribution problems involving doctors and other health professionals, particularly in poorer, remote and underserved areas.
Similar challenges can be seen elsewhere in the region. A 2026 review of Bangladesh’s nursing workforce, for example, found substantial shortages and a nurse-to-physician ratio well below the WHO-referenced 3:1 level.
These differences show why workforce planning must consider both how many health workers are trained and where they ultimately work.
Training More Health Workers Is Only Part of the Solution
Expanding medical and nursing education can help increase workforce numbers, but training alone cannot solve the problem.
Health systems also need to retain professionals after graduation.
Low salaries, difficult working conditions, limited career opportunities and inadequate infrastructure can encourage health workers to move to larger cities or leave the country altogether.
As a result, governments need policies that address recruitment, retention, professional development and working conditions simultaneously.
The WHO’s 2026 National Health Workforce Accounts report emphasizes the importance of stronger workforce information systems and evidence-based planning to address persistent shortages and inequities in distribution.
South Asia’s Population Makes the Challenge More Urgent
The scale of South Asia’s population makes its health workforce shortage particularly significant.
Even when countries increase the number of doctors, nurses and other professionals, population growth and changing health needs can absorb much of that expansion.
At the same time, populations are becoming older in many countries, while non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer are increasing the demand for long-term care.
This means health systems must prepare not only for today’s workforce requirements but also for future demand.
Nursing and Midwifery Need Greater Attention
Nurses and midwives are especially important to South Asia’s healthcare future.
They provide much of the direct patient care in hospitals and community settings and play a central role in maternal health, child health, primary care and disease prevention.
WHO has repeatedly highlighted the importance of strengthening nursing and midwifery leadership and education as part of efforts to accelerate progress toward UHC and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Increasing investment in nursing and midwifery could therefore provide a significant boost to health service capacity across South Asia.
Rural Healthcare Remains a Major Concern
Another major issue is the unequal distribution of health workers.
A country can have a growing health workforce while rural communities continue to experience severe shortages.
Doctors and other specialists may prefer urban areas because of better infrastructure, higher incomes, education opportunities and professional networks.
Governments therefore need targeted incentives to encourage health workers to serve in rural and underserved communities.
Such policies could include better compensation, housing support, career development opportunities, improved working environments and expanded digital health infrastructure.
Investment Is Essential for Universal Health Coverage
The research sends a clear message: universal health coverage cannot be achieved without investing in people.
Hospitals and health centres require qualified professionals to operate them. Medical equipment requires trained staff. Public health programmes depend on workers who can deliver services to communities.
The global evidence suggests that countries with the largest workforce shortages will need sustained investment in education, recruitment and retention.
The researchers behind the global analysis also concluded that the largest shortages are concentrated in lower-income settings, highlighting the need for increased financing and better coordination to train, employ and retain health workers.
A Long-Term Challenge for South Asia
Closing South Asia’s health workforce gap will not happen overnight.
Medical education takes years, while retaining skilled professionals requires long-term improvements in wages, working conditions and health infrastructure.
Governments will also need better workforce data to determine which regions and professions face the greatest shortages.
Better planning can help prevent situations in which one part of the country has an oversupply of certain professionals while another area struggles to provide basic healthcare.
South Asia’s health workforce shortage remains one of the biggest barriers to achieving universal health coverage. Global research shows that the region has among the lowest health worker densities, while millions of additional professionals are needed worldwide to reach ambitious UHC targets.
The challenge extends beyond doctors to nurses, midwives, pharmacists, dentists and other healthcare professionals. Unequal distribution, difficulties retaining workers and growing demand for healthcare services further complicate the situation.
For South Asian countries, achieving universal health coverage will require sustained investment in health education, workforce planning, rural healthcare, professional retention and better working conditions.
