Ageing of the Nursing Workforce in OECD Countries: Cross-Country Differences and Trends
Anahtar Kelimeler:
Nursing workforce, ageing ratio , OECD, health workforce, health workforce planning, Hemşire iş gücü, yaşlanma oranı, sağlık iş gücü, sağlık işgücü planlamasıÖzet
Objective: This study aimed to examine the age distribution of the nursing workforce in OECD countries and to evaluate ageing trends comparatively over the period 2020–2023.
Methods: The study was conducted using OECD data. Countries with complete data for the 25–34 and 45–54 age groups were included. The ageing ratio was calculated as the proportion of nurses aged 45–54 to those aged 25–34. Descriptive analyses were performed alongside panel data regression and cluster analysis.
Results: The findings revealed significant cross-country differences in the age structure of the nursing workforce. In 2023, younger age groups were dominant in some countries, whereas older age groups were more prominent in others. Ageing ratios were high and increasing in the Slovak Republic and Hungary, while lower or decreasing trends were observed in Norway and Denmark. Regression analysis indicated a significant increase in ageing over time (β=0.047; p<0.05). Cluster analysis identified three distinct ageing profiles among countries.
Conclusion: The age structure of the nursing workforce across OECD countries is heterogeneous, with a clear ageing trend in some settings. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating age structure into workforce planning and sustainability strategies in healthcare systems.
Keywords: Nursing workforce, ageing ratio, OECD, health workforce, health workforce planning
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