Indian medical professionals have become indispensable to health systems across advanced economies, according to the International Migration Outlook 2025 released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on Monday. The report highlights that migrant doctors and nurses form both a lifeline and a vulnerability for the 38 OECD member countries, including the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia.
India Leads in Global Medical Migration
As reported by TOI, the report reveals that India is now the largest source of migrant doctors and the second-largest source of migrant nurses employed in OECD nations. In 2020–21, there were 98,857 Indian-born doctors and 122,400 Indian-born nurses working across these countries—marking a 76% and 435% increase, respectively, since 2000–01.
Altogether, OECD member countries employed over 8.3 lakh foreign-born doctors and 1.75 million foreign-born nurses, representing about one-quarter and one-sixth of their respective workforces. Asia contributed significantly, accounting for 40% of foreign-born doctors and 37% of foreign-born nurses. Among countries of origin, India, Germany, and China led for doctors, while the Philippines, India, and Poland topped the list for nurses.
The OECD underscored that migrant health professionals are vital to sustaining healthcare systems in advanced economies. It warned that structural shortages, rather than temporary gaps, are driving this reliance — a trend likely to worsen without continued international recruitment.
India’s Dominance in Global Health Mobility
The United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and Australia continue to be the largest destinations for Indian medical professionals. The OECD distinguishes between foreign-born and foreign-trained health workers — the former being those born abroad, while the latter obtained their medical qualifications outside the country where they now work.
In 2021–23, OECD countries employed 6.06 lakh foreign-trained doctors, of which 75,000 (12%) were trained in India. Among 7.33 lakh foreign-trained nurses, India accounted for 1.22 lakh (17%).
India-Trained Professionals Across OECD Nations
Country-level data for 2021 illustrates India’s significant presence:
- United Kingdom: 17,250 India-trained doctors (23% of foreign-trained doctors) and 36,000 nurses (18%) — critical to sustaining the NHS.
- United States: 16,800 India-trained doctors (8%) and 55,000 nurses (5%).
- Canada: 3,900 India-trained doctors (4%) and 7,000 nurses (14%).
- Australia: 6,000 India-trained doctors (10%) and 8,000 nurses (16%).
Drivers of India’s Global Health Workforce
The OECD attributes India’s growing dominance to its large medical education system, English-language proficiency, and targeted bilateral recruitment programs initiated by OECD countries. Between 2000 and 2021, the number of India-trained nurses working abroad grew more than fourfold, from around 23,000 to 1.22 lakh. Similarly, the number of India-trained doctors nearly doubled, rising from 56,000 to 98,000.
The Brain Drain Concern
Despite this success story, the report raises concerns over “brain drain.” India appears on the WHO’s Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List, which identifies countries facing critical healthcare workforce shortages.
To attract skilled professionals, several OECD countries have eased migration pathways. The UK introduced the Health and Care Worker Visa, while Canada created fast-track credential recognition systems for nurses trained in select countries, including India.
Persistent Barriers to Integration
However, licensing delays and qualification recognition remain major obstacles for migrant professionals. The OECD notes that even when migration policies are favorable, slow or opaque credentialing procedures hinder timely workforce integration. As a result, many highly qualified Indian doctors and nurses often find themselves in lower-skilled or auxiliary positions, despite holding advanced degrees and experience.
A Global Dependence on Indian Healthcare Talent
In conclusion, the International Migration Outlook 2025 underscores that Indian medical professionals have become pillars of global healthcare systems, particularly in OECD nations. While their expertise fills critical gaps in foreign health sectors, the trend also highlights the need for balanced policies that protect India’s domestic healthcare capacity while supporting ethical international mobility.