European nursing shortages stem from poor pay and heavy workloads, prompting emigration and recruitment efforts.
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The European Federation of Nurses’ Associations highlights a shortage of nurses across the EU, noting that existing data is outdated and current needs are much higher to maintain safe hospital staffing levels. The decline in nursing staff across Europe stems from demanding jobs, low pay, and an aging population. Bulgaria faces severe shortages with one of the lowest nurse-to-population ratios in the OECD, exacerbated by poor wages leading many nurses to work multiple jobs; it currently has about 27,000 vacancies that would take 60 years to fill under current recruitment rates. Hungary also suffers from emigration, with many nurses moving to better-paying countries like Austria, resulting in chronic staffing shortages, despite recent pay increases. The average age of nurses in Poland is high, nearing 54, leading to significant upcoming retirements, although salary increases are planned. Even wealthier nations like Italy face staff deficits and anticipate further departures, prompting efforts to recruit internationally. Paul De Raeve argues that European health ministers should focus on making the nursing profession more attractive domestically rather than relying on importing workers from poorer countries.
