Health labour markets: an overview of some human factors that influence demand and supply

Abstract

Abstract Background The global demand for health workers is expected to double by 2030 and it is estimated that if need is taken into account, there will be a deficit as high as 18 million according to the World Health Organization's Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health: Workforce 2030. Combined with inequities in the access to qualified health workers, this impedes progress towards the achievement of universal health coverage, global health security and the SDGs. This paper addresses health labour market deficiencies. It aims to provide guidance for a comprehensive analysis of health labour market dynamics, including the political and social factors that, in addition to economic ones influence the behaviour of health workers and of employers. Methods This paper uses the material of the WHO Health Labour Market Analysis Guidebook, which is based on the most recent literature on the demand and supply of health workers and on factors that affect them. It also draws from empirical analysis conducted recently by WHO in four regions of the world. Results On the supply side, the paper illustrates how social norms, such as those related to gender, influence the decision to become a health professional, the choice of a specialty, the choice of a practice location, and labour market participation. As to demand, examples are given of how professional interest groups' political actions (councils, trade unions) influence the division of tasks and which types of jobs will be offered. Conclusions The analysis of the dynamics of health labour markets must include human factors to achieve a better understanding of the forces that drive health worker shortages and surpluses, skills-mix and geographical imbalances, and suboptimal performance and to develop effective policies to address these issues.