MUSCAT – Data released by the GCC Statistical Center indicated that the total number of nursing personnel reached 413,200 nurses by the end of 2024, reflecting the continuous expansion of the healthcare system and the strengthening of its human resources across the region.
The data also showed that the number of nurses increased by approximately 150,000 over the past decade. This growth highlights accelerated investment in healthcare human resources to meet the rising demand for health services and improve the quality of care provided to communities.
Nursing staff account for about 30.3% of the total healthcare workforce in GCC countries, underscoring their central role in supporting healthcare systems and ensuring the sustainability of medical services.
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Statistics further revealed that 62.4% of nursing personnel work in government healthcare facilities, reflecting the strong reliance of GCC healthcare systems on the public sector for both curative and preventive services.
The proportion of GCC nationals in the nursing workforce reached 30.3% in 2024, compared to 29.6% in 2023, indicating growing efforts by GCC countries to empower national talent, encourage entry into the nursing profession, and strengthen its role in healthcare development.
Female nurses constitute 73.6% of the total nursing workforce in GCC countries, consistent with global trends in the profession, which is predominantly female.
In terms of nurse density relative to population, GCC countries recorded an average of 67.5 nurses per 10,000 people in 2024—significantly higher than the global average of 37.7 nurses per 10,000 people.
Globally, according to the World Health Organization, the number of nurses worldwide reached approximately 29.8 million in 2023, with women representing about 67% of those working in nursing and midwifery.
These indicators highlight the vital role played by nursing personnel in supporting healthcare systems. Nurses form the backbone of healthcare services through their direct patient care, as well as their contributions to prevention programs and health awareness initiatives – supporting GCC countries in advancing their healthcare systems and achieving higher standards of medical care.
