A dynamic understanding of health worker migration

Overview

The international migration of health workers is increasing. There has been a 60% rise in the number of migrant doctors and nurses working in OECD countries over the last decade. Future projections point to a continuing acceleration in the international migration of health workers, with an escalating mismatch between the supply of and economic demand for health workers.

The European Union and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, sought to advance understanding and management of health worker migration through targeted support to the implementation of the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel. Targeted support was provided at the global level and in five countries: India, Ireland, Nigeria, Uganda, and South Africa.

Implementation of the WHO Global Code provides a new and dynamic understanding of health worker migration, with substantial intra-regional, South-South and North to South movement to complement the better understood movement of health workers migrating from the global South to the global North. Temporary migration, including professional registration and employment in multiple jurisdictions, is also evidenced.