Is the Increasing Brain Drain of Nurses Threatening Pakistan's Healthcare?
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Synopsis
The alarming trend of nurses leaving Pakistan for better opportunities abroad threatens the country's fragile healthcare system. With a significant shortfall in nursing staff, the situation could lead to a healthcare crisis, as the demand for nurses continues to rise amidst an ever-growing population.
Key Takeaways
- Pakistan needs 700,000 nurses to meet healthcare demands.
- Only 116,659 nurses are currently registered.
- The nurse emigration rate has grown at 54.2% between 2019 and 2024.
- The nurse-to-doctor ratio is just 0.5 nurses per doctor.
- There is a shortage of over one million nurses in the country.
New Delhi, Sep 4 (NationPress) An escalating trend of nurses departing from Pakistan is driven by the pursuit of enhanced salaries, improved working conditions, and superior career opportunities abroad. This alarming trend poses a significant threat to the already vulnerable healthcare system in the nation, as highlighted by a recent report.
The report from the British publication Asian Lite indicates that Pakistan, home to over 240 million people, needs approximately 700,000 nurses to satisfy the current healthcare requirements. Yet, as of 2020, only 116,659 nurses were registered in the country.
The shortfall is described as staggering, and in light of the rising population, it is deemed catastrophic. The report references statistics from the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment, revealing that nurses constitute 5.8 percent of Pakistan’s highly educated workforce that emigrated in 2024.
While around 15 percent of nurses from developing nations migrate annually to wealthier countries, Pakistan's increasing trend is significantly higher, with a compound annual growth rate of 54.2 percent for Pakistani nurses between 2019 and 2024.
In 2024 alone, a staggering 727,381 professionals left Pakistan in pursuit of better opportunities overseas. This migration trend shows no signs of slowing down — by mid-2025, over 336,442 individuals had already left, with a large portion from the medical and nursing fields.
The World Health Organisation recommends a ratio of at least three nurses for every doctor, but in Pakistan, the ratio is alarmingly low, at just 0.5 nurses per doctor — one of the lowest in South Asia.
The shortage of nurses is placing excessive strain on doctors, increasing patient vulnerability and contributing to chaos in hospitals. The report indicates that the country is facing a deficit of over one million nurses.
Additionally, it’s noted that between 30,000 to 40,000 registered doctors are not currently practicing, either due to insufficient opportunities, emigration, or disenchantment with the healthcare system.
Point of View
It is crucial to emphasize that Pakistan's healthcare system is at a critical juncture. While the desire for better opportunities abroad is understandable, the implications of this brain drain cannot be overlooked. We must address the underlying issues to retain our healthcare professionals and strengthen our health infrastructure.
NationPress
04/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is causing the brain drain of nurses in Pakistan?
The primary reasons include the pursuit of better salaries, safer working conditions, and enhanced professional opportunities abroad.
How many nurses does Pakistan currently need?
Pakistan requires an estimated 700,000 nurses to meet its current healthcare demands.
What is the current ratio of nurses to doctors in Pakistan?
The current ratio stands at just 0.5 nurses per doctor, which is one of the lowest in South Asia.
What impact does the shortage of nurses have on healthcare?
The shortage of nurses places excessive burden on doctors, increases patient vulnerability, and creates chaos in hospitals.
How many professionals left Pakistan in search of better opportunities in 2024?
In 2024, a record 727,381 professionals left Pakistan, with a significant number from the medical and nursing sectors.
