15 June 2023

This paper exemines the demographic projections for Slovakia up to 2030, focusing on the potential shortages of healthcare professionals. By considering factors such as new graduates, retiring doctors, and migrating doctors, we predict a significant growth in the 65+ years population that surpasses the number of available doctors and nurses. Specifically, the number of nurses is expected to decline, posing challenges to healthcare accessibility.

To tackle this issue, we propose two key solutions. Firstly, we advocate for loosening regulations to attract foreign health professionals. By embracing international talent, Slovakia can bridge the workforce gap. Additionally, we emphasize the need for policies that increase the retention rate of healthcare professionals, as data suggests that only 40% of nursing graduates become professional nurses.