The UK is facing a serious nursing workforce crisis after a dramatic fall in the number of international nurses arriving to work. Between 1 April and 30 September 2025, only 6,321 overseas trained nurses and midwives joined the Nursing and Midwifery Council register. This is a steep 49.6 percent drop from the 12,534 joiners recorded in the same six month period in 2024. It is the lowest figure seen in five years and signals a sharp collapse in overseas nurse recruitment.
Health leaders say the UK can no longer rely on the strong pipeline of nurses from abroad that helped stabilise the NHS workforce in previous years.
The fall is not limited to overall numbers. It is also evident across countries that traditionally supplied large groups of international nurses to the UK. Joiners from India dropped by 57.8 percent compared to last year. Recruitment from the Philippines, once one of the most dependable sources of overseas nurses, fell by 68.1 percent. Nigeria and Ghana, both on the World Health Organization red list, also saw reductions of 27.8 percent and 9 percent.
For the first time in years, the Philippines has slipped out of the top three source countries for international nurses. Workforce experts view this as a major shift in global recruitment patterns.
The slowdown comes at a time when the total number of nurses, midwives, and nursing associates on the NMC register has reached a record 860,801. However, overall growth is now slowing. Between April and September 2025, new UK trained joiners fell as well. The NMC registered 13,973 home grown nurses during this period, which is a 5.4 percent decline from the previous year.
Meanwhile, more staff are leaving. A total of 12,361 UK educated nurses left the register during the same six months, around 1.9 percent of that group. Leaders warn that domestic recruitment alone cannot compensate for the sudden weakening of international inflows.
At the same time, many international nurses report rising concerns about racism, poor treatment, and stricter immigration policies. Workforce leaders believe these factors are discouraging overseas nurses who once viewed the UK as a reliable destination for career growth.
Paul Rees, the chief executive of the NMC, said the high growth era of international recruitment appears to be ending. He added that domestic recruitment has remained steady, but overall workforce growth has slowed sharply.
The Royal College of Nursing has warned that the combination of falling overseas recruitment and weaker domestic joiner numbers could push the NHS into what it calls the worst of all worlds. With record demand for healthcare, fewer nurses entering the workforce, and more staff leaving, the pressure on hospitals and community services continues to rise.
If the UK does not expand domestic training and rebuild its reputation among international nurses, workforce shortages are likely to deepen.
(Rh/ARC)
