Global Midwife Gap Hits 1m as Africa Bears Nearly Half the Shortfall – UNFPA
Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The world faces a shortage of at least one million midwives, with Africa accounting for nearly half of the deficit, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The workforce gap, if unaddressed, could lead to millions of preventable maternal and newborn deaths by 2035, health experts warn.
UNFPA data on Tuesday show that midwives deliver the majority of essential reproductive, maternal, and newborn health services, particularly in low-resource and crisis-affected settings.
The agency estimates that every $1 invested in midwifery yields up to $16 in economic returns, highlighting both health and economic impacts.
Despite this, many countries continue to face challenges in training, deploying, and retaining skilled midwives, contributing to persistently high maternal mortality rates.
UNFPA is urging governments to prioritise funding, fair wages, and career development pathways, arguing that workforce investment is critical to strengthening health systems.
About the Author
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Korede Abdullah 
