What are the main causes of the expected shortage of nurses by 2034?

According to the 4th report of the Swiss Health Observatory (Obsan), two main factors are driving the crisis. First, health institutions will need to replace nearly a third of the staff leaving the sector by 2034. Secondly, the ageing of the population will lead to an increase in the need for additional nursing staff. Added to this is the phenomenon of early departures: only 47% of nurses remain in the sector at the age of 40, compared to 75% who work there immediately after training.

How many nursing staff trained in Switzerland will cover the need by 2034?

The projections of the Obsan report are critical: the rate of coverage of needs by Swiss-trained staff will not exceed 55% for nurses. At the tertiary level (nursing care), the share of training needs in the Confederation will be between 40% and 55% for the period 2024–2034. This means that Switzerland will have to rely significantly on international recruitment to bridge the structural gap.

What do ASI and VPOD propose to address the shortage?

The Swiss Association of Nurses and Nurses (ASI) stresses the need to keep healthcare professionals qualified in the profession, highlighting that better working conditions are needed everywhere. ASI sees the Nursing Care Initiative, particularly in its second phase, as a golden opportunity for policy makers to effectively combat the shortage. The Swiss Public Services Union (VPOD/SSP) calls for concrete public investments to ensure sufficient staff, acceptable working conditions and good quality care.

Why do nurses leave the profession so early?

The Obsan report does not explicitly specify the causes, but the phenomenon is marked: 75% of graduates in nursing care work in a health institution immediately after training, but this share drops to 47% at age 40. ASI and VPOD statements suggest that high workload, heavy shifts, insufficient salaries, and lack of professional recognition are major factors driving nurses to change their profession or work environment.

Nurses: shortage by 2034 in Switzerland (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 8 September 2026

Modern Swiss hospital corridor with healthcare professionals discussing patient care

The 4th Obsan report predicts a severe shortage of nurses by 2034. Only 55% of the needs are covered by personnel trained in Switzerland.

Context

In a nutshell

By 2034 aggravated shortage of nurses in Switzerland
Maximum coverage rate: 55% with trained Swiss staff
Early release: 75% graduates remain immediately, only 47% at 40 years of age
Two factors: 1/3 staff replacement + population ageing

Key facts

What: Nursing staff shortage by 2034
When: Screening period 2024–2034
Who: Swiss Health Observatory (Obsan)
Where: Swiss health institutions at national level
Coverage rate: 40%–55% for tertiary education in Switzerland
Early release: 75% after graduation, 47% at age 40
Report: 4th Obsan report published recently

Switzerland is preparing for an unprecedented health challenge. According to the 4th report of the Swiss Health Observatory (Obsan), the country will face an aggravated shortage of health personnel by 2034, with particular pressure on the nursing sector. The most critical data is immediate: the coverage rate of staff needs by those trained in Switzerland will not exceed 55% for nurses.

At the level of nursing care (tertiary), the projections indicate that the share of needs covered by training in the Confederation will be between 40% and 55% in the period 2024–2034. This time window is already upon us and the situation is getting worse every year.

Two critical factors behind the crisis

Obsan's report identifies two drivers

Operational details

The alarm from unions: working conditions are the critical issue

Reactions to the Obsan report came quickly. The Swiss Association of Nurses (ASI) highlighted an unequivocal message: 'We must succeed in keeping qualified healthcare workers in the profession. For this, better working conditions are needed everywhere'. The Association sees in the Nursing Care Initiative, particularly in its second phase, 'a golden opportunity for political leaders to effectively combat the shortage and improve the framework conditions in a targeted way'.

The Swiss Public Services Union (VPOD/SSP) raised an even stronger alarm, describing the situation as 'concerning'. The VPOD does not ask for generic solutions, but concrete public investments to ensure sufficient staff, acceptable working conditions, and quality healthcare accessible to everyone. The message is clear: without addressing the problem of working conditions, no training program will be enough.

Why nurses leave so soon

The figures on early exits hint at the real underlying problem. Although the Obsan report does not analyze in detail the personal reasons, the statements from ASI and VPOD clearly suggest the factors: excessive workload, heavy shifts, salaries insufficient compared to responsibility and physical and psychological strain, and lack of professional recognition. The decline from 75% to 47% between the first year of work and 40 years of age indicates that 40% of nurses trained in Switzerland decide to completely change direction in their career.

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Key points

What must change: the role of federal institutions, cantons and hospitals

The Obsan report provides the diagnosis; now concrete solutions are needed. At the federal level, the Federal Council and Parliament must recognize that the shortage of nurses by 2034 is not purely a demographic issue, but a crisis of sustainability in the national health system. This requires structural public investment, not just declarations of intent. Cantons play an even more central role: many directly manage hospitals and healthcare facilities and oversee professional training competencies at the tertiary level.

Improving nurses' salaries, reducing the number and intensity of shifts, investing in safer and more dignified work environments: these decisions fall to the cantons and healthcare institutions. The Nursing Care Initiative, of which the second phase represents the legislative tool to advance reforms, must become concrete and not remain on paper. Each canton must adapt measures to its own context, but the commitment must be federal.

Training and strategic international recruitment

Regarding the supply of healthcare professionals trained in Switzerland, nursing schools must be adequately funded. The fact that the coverage rate remains between 40% and 55% for the 2024–2034 period means that Switzerland will necessarily have to rely on international recruitment to fill the structural gap. This poses new challenges: integration of foreign professionals, formal recognition of foreign diplomas, management of language and working culture in Swiss facilities, and regulatory compliance with international agreements.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main causes of the expected shortage of nurses by 2034?: According to the 4th report of the Swiss Health Observatory (Obsan), two main factors are driving the crisis. First, health institutions will need to replace nearly a third of the staff leaving the sector by 2034. Secondly, the ageing of the population will lead to an increase in the need for additional nursing staff. Added to this is the phenomenon of early departures: only 47% of nurses remain in the sector at the age of 40, compared to 75% who work there immediately after training.
How many nursing staff trained in Switzerland will cover the need by 2034?: The projections of the Obsan report are critical: the rate of coverage of needs by Swiss-trained staff will not exceed 55% for nurses. At the tertiary level (nursing care), the share of training needs in the Confederation will be between 40% and 55% for the period 2024–2034. This means that Switzerland will have to rely significantly on international recruitment to bridge the structural gap.
What do ASI and VPOD propose to address the shortage?: The Swiss Association of Nurses and Nurses (ASI) stresses the need to keep healthcare professionals qualified in the profession, highlighting that better working conditions are needed everywhere. ASI sees the Nursing Care Initiative, particularly in its second phase, as a golden opportunity for policy makers to effectively combat the shortage. The Swiss Public Services Union (VPOD/SSP) calls for concrete public investments to ensure sufficient staff, acceptable working conditions and good qualit
Why do nurses leave the profession so early?: The Obsan report does not explicitly specify the causes, but the phenomenon is marked: 75% of graduates in nursing care work in a health institution immediately after training, but this share drops to 47% at age 40. ASI and VPOD statements suggest that high workload, heavy shifts, insufficient salaries, and lack of professional recognition are major factors driving nurses to change their profession or work environment.