Despite the growing presence of doctors, nurses and other health professionals in recent years, European health work is facing a crisis, according to a recent EU study on the state of health in Europe in 2024.
In 2022 alone, Germany recruited 465 nurses from Albania, placing the country in third place in the region after Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. Every year, hundreds of doctors and nurses leave Albania due to increased demand in EU countries, mainly in Germany. This trend is expected to continue in the coming years, with the European Union having increased needs for medical and nursing personnel.
Many European countries are facing significant shortages in specific categories of healthcare professionals due to the increasing demand for medical services, but also the reduction in working hours, as many workers seek a better work-life balance.
These shortages are expected to worsen in the future, as the elderly population doubles and the healthcare workforce ages. The research highlights that the European healthcare system is facing a serious threat. The proportion of people aged 65 and over in the EU is projected to increase from 23% in 2023 to almost 30% by 2050, increasing demand for healthcare services. At the same time, many healthcare professionals are approaching retirement age, requiring a significant influx of new skilled professionals.
Other analyses reveal worrying trends, such as increased dissatisfaction among health workers, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and declining interest among young people in medical professions. Addressing these challenges requires multifaceted policies, including improving working conditions and pay.
Many countries are turning to health worker migration as a solution, but over-reliance on this model can exacerbate shortages in sending countries. Albania is one of the countries at risk, as it trains nurses with public funding who end up migrating abroad.
