More nurses, midwives and nursing associates in the UK than ever before

There are more nurses, midwives and nursing associates on the NMC register than ever: 826,418. That’s an increase of 37,723 (4.8 percent) compared to the same period last year, and 128,184 (18.4 percent) over the last five years.

This includes 765,051 nurses (+4.6 percent since 2023); 44,125 midwives (+5.8 percent); and 10,881 nursing associates (+16.6 percent). There are also 6,361 dual registrants who are both a nurse and midwife (-2.5 percent).

Writing on its website, the NMC said:

“This growth is due, in large part, to the continuous rise in first-time joiners to the register – 59,991 in the last 12 months alone. That’s nearly 15 percent higher than the same period last year (52,193), and almost double the number of joiners compared to 2018-2019 (30,618). The number of UK and internationally educated joiners within the last year was almost equally split – 30,363 and 29,628, respectively.”

The year-on-year growth is higher among international joiners, with 29,628 being an increase of more than 18 percent compared to the previous year. Almost half (14,615) of this year’s new joiners were educated in India. The steadily high number of international professionals reflects initiatives such as NHS England’s Maternity International Recruitment Programme which saw more than twice the number of midwives (711) joining from outside the UK compared to the previous year (348).

Matthew McClelland, Executive Director of Strategy and Insight at the NMC, said:

“We welcome the record number of nurses, midwives and nursing associates across the UK. This is positive news as professionals face a rising demand for health and social care services, caring for peoples’ increasingly complex and changing needs, and daily workforce pressures.

“As the number of new joiners continues to grow, we are grateful to these professionals, both UK and internationally educated, for the vital care they provide to people every day. We are committed to working with our partners across the sector to provide professionals with the support they need to carry out their essential roles.

“I hope our data can provide the insight we need to support all those on our register, and the wider sector, so they can provide the safe, effective, and kind care the public has the right to expect.”

Read the full UK report, four country specific reports, and data tables on the NMC website.

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