New figures from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) show a sharp decline in the number of nurses and midwives coming from overseas to work in the UK.
Between April and September 2025, only 6,321 internationally educated nurses and midwives joined the UK register.
This is a drop of 49.6 % compared with the 12,534 who joined in the same period of 2024.
It marks the lowest six-month intake of international professionals in five years.
The biggest reductions came from key source countries:
- India saw a 57.8 % fall in new joiners.
- The Philippines experienced a 68.1 % drop.
- Nigeria recorded a 27.8 % decrease.
- Ghana had a 9 % reduction.
As a result, the Philippines has fallen out of the top three sources of international nurses for the first time in recent years.
Overall, the total number of new joiners to the NMC register fell by 25.7 %.
At the same time, the number of people leaving the register increased by 6.6 % compared with last year.
Despite these changes, the total number of nurses, midwives and nursing associates on the register has reached a record high of 860,801.
The NMC has described the situation as the end of the high-growth period for international recruitment.
Domestic recruitment remains steady, but it is not enough to fill the gap.
The Royal College of Nursing has warned that this slowdown could worsen existing staff shortages across the NHS.
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Charles Wealth is an accomplished healthcare administrator with decades of hands-on experience across various healthcare organizations in Nigeria and beyond. Known for his strategic leadership, operational excellence, and deep commitment to advancing the nursing profession, Charles brings a wealth of expertise to healthcare management, policy, and professional development.
As a co-founder and Editor at Fellow Nurses Africa, he plays a pivotal role in shaping content that educates, inspires, and unites nurses across the continent. His editorial vision focuses on amplifying the voices of nurses, highlighting best practices, addressing contemporary challenges in healthcare, and promoting professional growth within the nursing community.
With a strong background in healthcare administration, Charles is passionate about bridging the gap between clinical practice and effective leadership. He continues to contribute significantly to the development of robust healthcare systems and the empowerment of nurses through knowledge sharing and advocacy.
