China builds robust nursing workforce amid healthcare push

Medical staff members enjoy cakes during International Nurses Day celebrations at Beijing Massage Hospital in Beijing, capital of China, May 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)

BEIJING, May 11 (Xinhua) -- China reported a 29 percent increase in registered nurses from 2020 to 2025, with the total surpassing 6.06 million by the end of last year, the National Health Commission (NHC) said on Monday.

The number of registered nurses per 1,000 people rose from 3.34 in 2020 to 4.32 in 2025. More than 80 percent hold qualifications at or above college level, according to NHC data.

Over 90 percent of nurses in high-demand and understaffed fields, including rehabilitation, geriatric care, pediatrics, intensive care and infectious disease care, have received specialized training, the commission said.

Nearly 6,000 medical institutions across the country provide more than 60 types of home-based nursing services in seven categories, including maternal and infant care, geriatric care, chronic disease management, rehabilitation guidance and hospice care, the commission added.

Looking ahead, the commission said it will continue to strengthen the nursing workforce, improve incentive and support measures for nurses, expand coverage of assisted care services, and enhance access to elderly care services.

In its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), China aims to accelerate progress toward its goal of building a Healthy China by 2035. The plan calls for providing fairer and more systemic healthcare services to the public and improving overall public health.