Report: Midwife Shortage Persists Amid Graduate Unemployment
Despite a global shortage of nearly one million midwives, recent reports indicate that almost one-third of newly registered midwives are unable to secure employment. The paradox has prompted calls for urgent action on staffing, with a Nursing Times report noting the disconnect between chronic shortages and the high number of unemployed graduates. The global workforce gap reportedly has significant negative impacts on mothers and babies.
- A recent analysis shows a global shortfall of approximately 980,000 midwives, a reality that contributes to overstretched health systems and can lead to a higher likelihood of unnecessary interventions during childbirth. Universal access to midwife-led care has the potential to prevent two-thirds of maternal and newborn deaths, which could save over one million lives annually. - In the United Kingdom, a survey of 312 midwifery graduates at the end of 2025 found that 31% were unable to secure a position in their field. This has led many newly qualified midwives to take jobs in sectors such as retail, hospitality, and administration. - The employment issue for new graduates is partly attributed to a disconnect between the number of students in midwifery education programs and the availability of secure, funded positions within health systems. In the UK, many employed graduates are on fixed-term contracts (55%) and not working full-time (53%). - In the United States, there are only four midwives for every 1,000 live births, a stark contrast to other wealthy nations like Australia and Sweden, which have 68 and 66 respectively. This shortage is a contributing factor to the high maternal mortality rate in the U.S. - Virginia is taking legislative action to address its midwife shortage and improve maternal health outcomes. As of July 1, 2025, House Bill 1923 mandates that private insurance and Medicaid reimburse Licensed Certified Midwives and Licensed Midwives at the same rate as Certified Nurse-Midwives for providing the same services. - Another new Virginia law, HB 1904, allows certified nurse-midwives to fulfill the 24-hour on-call requirements for nursery care when a physician is not available, a move intended to help keep rural labor and delivery units open. This is particularly crucial as 30.8% of Virginia's counties are considered "maternity care deserts" with no birthing hospitals or obstetric providers. - The job outlook for nurse-midwives in Virginia is strong, with a projected growth of 26% through 2032. This is significantly higher than the average for all occupations in the state. - The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) identifies several barriers to expanding the midwifery workforce, including state-level practice restrictions, a shortage of clinical preceptors for students, and a lack of diversity within the profession. The "Midwives for MOMS Act" is a proposed federal bill that aims to address these issues by providing funding for midwifery education programs, with a focus on increasing racial and ethnic diversity in the field.
