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Number of midwives (physical persons) (Line chart)
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Number of midwives (physical persons) (Bar chart)
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European Health for All database
The following abbreviations are used in the indicator titles:
Indicators: 618
Updated: 20 November 2023
Contact:
The following abbreviations are used in the indicator titles:
• SDR: age-standardized death rates (see HFA-DB user manual/Technical notes, page 13, for details)
• FTE: full-time equivalent
• PP: physical persons
• PPP$: purchasing power parities expressed in US $, an internationally comparable scale reflecting the relative domestic purchasing powers of currencies.
Number of midwives (PP)
Indicator code: E275209.T
Data on midwives for concept closest to practicing is given.
If data for practicing midwives is available, then this data is reported. If data for practicing midwives is not available, but data for professionally active midwives is available, then the data for professionally active midwives is reported. If data for neither practicing nor professionally active midwives is available, then data for licensed midwives is reported. Practising, professionally active and licensed midwives are defined as follows:
Practising midwives provide services directly to patients. Inclusion - Midwifery professionals (ISCO-08 code: 2222) and midwifery associate professionals (ISCO-08 code: 3222) - Persons who have completed their studies/education in midwifery and who are licensed to practice - Salaried and self-employed midwives delivering services irrespectively of the place of service provision - Nurses (or nurse midwives) who are working most of the time as midwives - Foreign midwives licensed to practice and actively practising in the country Exclusion - Students who have not yet graduated - Midwives working in administration, management, research and in other posts excluding direct contact with patients - Unemployed midwives and retired midwives - Midwives working abroad
Professionally active midwives include practising and other (non-practising) midwives for whom their education is a prerequisite for the execution of the job. Inclusion - Midwifery professionals (ISCO-08 code: 2222) and midwifery associate professionals (ISCO-08 code: 3222) - Midwives providing services directly to patients - Midwives working in administration, management, research and in other posts excluding direct contact with patients
Exclusion - Midwives who hold a post / job under which midwifery education is not required - Unemployed midwives and retired midwives - Midwives working abroad
Midwives licensed to practice have acquired the requisite education and qualifications to be registered and/or legally licensed to practice midwifery. They include both practising and other (non-practising) midwives.
Inclusion - Midwifery professionals (ISCO-08 code: 2222) and midwifery associate professionals (ISCO-08 code: 3222) - Midwives who provide services directly to patients - Midwives for whom their midwifery education is a prerequisite for the execution of the job - Midwives for whom their midwifery education is NOT a prerequisite for the execution of the job - Midwives licensed to practice but who due to various reasons are not economically active (e.g. unemployed or retired) - Midwives working abroad_
Indicator code: E275209.T
Data on midwives for concept closest to practicing is given.
If data for practicing midwives is available, then this data is reported. If data for practicing midwives is not available, but data for professionally active midwives is available, then the data for professionally active midwives is reported. If data for neither practicing nor professionally active midwives is available, then data for licensed midwives is reported. Practising, professionally active and licensed midwives are defined as follows:
Practising midwives provide services directly to patients. Inclusion - Midwifery professionals (ISCO-08 code: 2222) and midwifery associate professionals (ISCO-08 code: 3222) - Persons who have completed their studies/education in midwifery and who are licensed to practice - Salaried and self-employed midwives delivering services irrespectively of the place of service provision - Nurses (or nurse midwives) who are working most of the time as midwives - Foreign midwives licensed to practice and actively practising in the country Exclusion - Students who have not yet graduated - Midwives working in administration, management, research and in other posts excluding direct contact with patients - Unemployed midwives and retired midwives - Midwives working abroad
Professionally active midwives include practising and other (non-practising) midwives for whom their education is a prerequisite for the execution of the job. Inclusion - Midwifery professionals (ISCO-08 code: 2222) and midwifery associate professionals (ISCO-08 code: 3222) - Midwives providing services directly to patients - Midwives working in administration, management, research and in other posts excluding direct contact with patients
Exclusion - Midwives who hold a post / job under which midwifery education is not required - Unemployed midwives and retired midwives - Midwives working abroad
Midwives licensed to practice have acquired the requisite education and qualifications to be registered and/or legally licensed to practice midwifery. They include both practising and other (non-practising) midwives.
Inclusion - Midwifery professionals (ISCO-08 code: 2222) and midwifery associate professionals (ISCO-08 code: 3222) - Midwives who provide services directly to patients - Midwives for whom their midwifery education is a prerequisite for the execution of the job - Midwives for whom their midwifery education is NOT a prerequisite for the execution of the job - Midwives licensed to practice but who due to various reasons are not economically active (e.g. unemployed or retired) - Midwives working abroad_
Albania
Data refers to practising midwives.
Source: Ministry of Health.
Source: Ministry of Health.
Andorra
Data refers to practising midwives.
NA
NA
Armenia
Data refers to practising midwives.
Source of data: Republican Research and Information Health Centre and the National Statistic Service
of the Republic of Armenia, Report form of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia ? 17
?Health employment?, http://healthinfo.am/Statistical%20Report.htm, Statistical book, Armenia,
English version (zip) 2009.
Reference period: 31 December.
Deviation from the definition: Data on foreign midwives licences to practice and professionally
active are not included since data is not available.
Source of data: Republican Research and Information Health Centre and the National Statistic Service
of the Republic of Armenia, Report form of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia ? 17
?Health employment?, http://healthinfo.am/Statistical%20Report.htm, Statistical book, Armenia,
English version (zip) 2009.
Reference period: 31 December.
Deviation from the definition: Data on foreign midwives licences to practice and professionally
active are not included since data is not available.
Austria
Data refers to practising midwives.
Source of data: Austrian Federal Ministry of Health, Hospital Statistics.
Reference period: 31 December.
Coverage: Data include midwives employed by hospitals.
Source of data: Austrian Federal Ministry of Health, Hospital Statistics.
Reference period: 31 December.
Coverage: Data include midwives employed by hospitals.
Azerbaijan
Data refers to practising midwives.
Source of data: The State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Reference period: data as of December 31.
Source of data: The State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Reference period: data as of December 31.
Belarus
Data refers to practising midwives.
Source of data: National Statistics Committee of Belarus http://belstat.gov.by/; National Archives
of the Republic of Belarus http://narb.by/
Reporting period: 31 December.
Note: The division into sub-professional level of midwives and midwifery (i.e. associate and
professional level) does not exist in the Republic of Belarus.
Source of data: National Statistics Committee of Belarus http://belstat.gov.by/; National Archives
of the Republic of Belarus http://narb.by/
Reporting period: 31 December.
Note: The division into sub-professional level of midwives and midwifery (i.e. associate and
professional level) does not exist in the Republic of Belarus.
Belgium
Data refers to professionally active midwives.
Source of data: Institut National d'Assurance Maladie Invalidite.
Coverage: Includes the number of midwives and number of nurses-midwives (combined degree) registered
at INAMI.
Deviation from definition: Covers only midwives with a registration at INAMI (self-employed
activity). However, the majority of midwives are working as salaried midwives in hospitals. These
are not included in the figures, hence the ?deviation? indication.
Source of data: Institut National d'Assurance Maladie Invalidite.
Coverage: Includes the number of midwives and number of nurses-midwives (combined degree) registered
at INAMI.
Deviation from definition: Covers only midwives with a registration at INAMI (self-employed
activity). However, the majority of midwives are working as salaried midwives in hospitals. These
are not included in the figures, hence the ?deviation? indication.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Data refers to practising midwives.
Public Health Institute of FB&H - Annual report health personnel with university degree by
specialization and sex in FB&H
Public Health Institute of Republica Srpska - Annual report health personnel with university degree
by specialization and sex in Republica Srpska
Public Health Institute of FB&H - Annual report health personnel with university degree by
specialization and sex in FB&H
Public Health Institute of Republica Srpska - Annual report health personnel with university degree
by specialization and sex in Republica Srpska
Bulgaria
Data refers to practising midwives.
Source of data: National Statistical Institute, Exhaustive annual survey
Reference period: 31st December
Coverage: All midwives (head counts) (ISCO-08 code: 2222) who worked on a basic labour contract in
outpatient and inpatient establishments, as well as those who practice in other heath establishments
- centres for emergency medical care, centres for transfusion haematology, homes for medical and
social care for children, Hygiene-epidemiological inspections and others.
On 01.07.2000 Bulgaria started its Healthcare Reform, as a consequence, a new institution in the
outpatient care was build - the General Practitioner (GP) and the financing of curative medical care
by the National Health Insurance Fund came into force. Specialists working in individual and group
practices for specialized medical care, who have not signed contracts with the National Health
Insurance Fund, are not covered in the exhaustive annual survey carried out by the BNSI (Bulgarian
National Statistical Institute.), midwifes appointed by these physicians are not covered either.
Break in time series: 2000.
Source of data: National Statistical Institute, Exhaustive annual survey
Reference period: 31st December
Coverage: All midwives (head counts) (ISCO-08 code: 2222) who worked on a basic labour contract in
outpatient and inpatient establishments, as well as those who practice in other heath establishments
- centres for emergency medical care, centres for transfusion haematology, homes for medical and
social care for children, Hygiene-epidemiological inspections and others.
On 01.07.2000 Bulgaria started its Healthcare Reform, as a consequence, a new institution in the
outpatient care was build - the General Practitioner (GP) and the financing of curative medical care
by the National Health Insurance Fund came into force. Specialists working in individual and group
practices for specialized medical care, who have not signed contracts with the National Health
Insurance Fund, are not covered in the exhaustive annual survey carried out by the BNSI (Bulgarian
National Statistical Institute.), midwifes appointed by these physicians are not covered either.
Break in time series: 2000.
Croatia
Data refers to practising midwives.
Source of data:ÿCroatian National Institute of Public Health, Health Manpower Register,
Reference period: data on December 31
Source of data:ÿCroatian National Institute of Public Health, Health Manpower Register,
Reference period: data on December 31
Cyprus
No data for any midwife category.
Czechia
Data refers to practising midwives.
Czech Republic
Source of data: Institute of Health Information and Statistics of the Czech Republic; National
Health Information System (Annual report on health personnel).
Reference period: 31st December.
Coverage:
- Until 1999, women's nurses working in other central organs not included. Since the year 2000, data
cover women's nurses in all health services.
- Since 2004, data collected on basis of new legislation on non-medical professions (until 2003:
women's nurses, since 2004: midwives).
- Double counting of midwives working in more than one health establishment.
- Data relate to midwives working in health establishments. Those working in social care sector are
not included.
Break in time series: 2000 and 2004.
Czech Republic
Source of data: Institute of Health Information and Statistics of the Czech Republic; National
Health Information System (Annual report on health personnel).
Reference period: 31st December.
Coverage:
- Until 1999, women's nurses working in other central organs not included. Since the year 2000, data
cover women's nurses in all health services.
- Since 2004, data collected on basis of new legislation on non-medical professions (until 2003:
women's nurses, since 2004: midwives).
- Double counting of midwives working in more than one health establishment.
- Data relate to midwives working in health establishments. Those working in social care sector are
not included.
Break in time series: 2000 and 2004.
Denmark
Data refers to practising midwives.
Source of data: National Board of Health, Labour Register for Health Personnel.
Reference period: 31st December. Data show the number for January first the following year.
Coverage: Midwives whose status in the Central Personnel Register is active, i.e. in the country
(not dead or abroad); connected to HP1, HP2 or HP3 as either a) employed, b) employed, being on
leave or c) employed, receiving sickness benefit.
Note: The decrease in practising midwives in 1995 is due to the uncertainty in the numbers in
different industries. Approximately 75 midwives were misplaced in ?practising? industries in 1994.
In 1993 and 1995, those midwives were placed in public administration industries. There is therefore
not a real decrease in 1995, because the number in 1994 is overestimated.
Source of data: National Board of Health, Labour Register for Health Personnel.
Reference period: 31st December. Data show the number for January first the following year.
Coverage: Midwives whose status in the Central Personnel Register is active, i.e. in the country
(not dead or abroad); connected to HP1, HP2 or HP3 as either a) employed, b) employed, being on
leave or c) employed, receiving sickness benefit.
Note: The decrease in practising midwives in 1995 is due to the uncertainty in the numbers in
different industries. Approximately 75 midwives were misplaced in ?practising? industries in 1994.
In 1993 and 1995, those midwives were placed in public administration industries. There is therefore
not a real decrease in 1995, because the number in 1994 is overestimated.
Estonia
Data refers to practising midwives.
Source of data:
- Annual reports, National Institute for Health Development, Department of Health Statistics.
- 1980-2004 data published by Statistics Estonia:
(http://pub.stat.ee/px-web.2001/I_Databas/Social_life/05Health/04Health_care_institutions/04Health_c
are_institutions.asp).
Reference period: 31st of December.
Coverage:
- Presents practising midwives who provide services directly to patients.
- Medical staff working in military, research or other areas are not included.
Break in time series: 1991 and 2005.
- Until 1990, in addition to health personnel employed in the system of the Ministry of Health, the
data include the personnel who worked in the health care institutions of the Estonian Railway,
Estonian Airway and those belonging to the closed establishments of the Soviet Union.
- The total number of midwives from the year 1991 includes only the data of the Ministry of Health
and the Estonian Railway.
- Until 2004, the number of practising midwives was based on their last or main educational
qualifications.
- From 2005, the head count distribution is made according to their main occupational activity.
Source of data:
- Annual reports, National Institute for Health Development, Department of Health Statistics.
- 1980-2004 data published by Statistics Estonia:
(http://pub.stat.ee/px-web.2001/I_Databas/Social_life/05Health/04Health_care_institutions/04Health_c
are_institutions.asp).
Reference period: 31st of December.
Coverage:
- Presents practising midwives who provide services directly to patients.
- Medical staff working in military, research or other areas are not included.
Break in time series: 1991 and 2005.
- Until 1990, in addition to health personnel employed in the system of the Ministry of Health, the
data include the personnel who worked in the health care institutions of the Estonian Railway,
Estonian Airway and those belonging to the closed establishments of the Soviet Union.
- The total number of midwives from the year 1991 includes only the data of the Ministry of Health
and the Estonian Railway.
- Until 2004, the number of practising midwives was based on their last or main educational
qualifications.
- From 2005, the head count distribution is made according to their main occupational activity.
Finland
Data refers to practising midwives.
Source of data: THL Health Personnel Statistics; National Institute for Health and Welfare. The data
are based on the Employment Register kept by Statistics Finland.
Reference period: Data refer to information for the whole year.
Source of data: THL Health Personnel Statistics; National Institute for Health and Welfare. The data
are based on the Employment Register kept by Statistics Finland.
Reference period: Data refer to information for the whole year.
France
Data refers to practising midwives.
Source of data: ASIP- RPPS (Repertoire Partage des Professionnels de Sante).
http://esante.gouv.fr/espace-cps/editeurs/le-rpps.
Reference period: 31st December.
Coverage:
- Data refer to metropolitan France and D.O.M. (overseas departments).
- The data only refer to midwives providing direct care to patients.
Source of data: ASIP- RPPS (Repertoire Partage des Professionnels de Sante).
http://esante.gouv.fr/espace-cps/editeurs/le-rpps.
Reference period: 31st December.
Coverage:
- Data refer to metropolitan France and D.O.M. (overseas departments).
- The data only refer to midwives providing direct care to patients.
Georgia
Data refers to practising midwives.
Source of data: Data are based on annual statistical reports collected from health establishments to
the Ministry of Health and include both, public and private sectors and also facilities working
under other Ministries, such as Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Ministry of
Defence.
Reference period: 31 December 2012
Coverage: The provided data cover all regions except separatist regions, Abkhazia and South Osetia.
Data for those two regions are unavailable.
Source of data: Data are based on annual statistical reports collected from health establishments to
the Ministry of Health and include both, public and private sectors and also facilities working
under other Ministries, such as Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Ministry of
Defence.
Reference period: 31 December 2012
Coverage: The provided data cover all regions except separatist regions, Abkhazia and South Osetia.
Data for those two regions are unavailable.
Germany
Data refers to practising midwives.
Germany
Source of data: Federal Statistical Office, Health Care Personnel 2011, data released January 2013;
special calculation by the Federal Statistical Office, http://www.destatis.de or
http://www.gbe-bund.de.
Reference period: 31st December.
Coverage:
- Data (head-counts) contain the number of midwives actively practising in public and private
hospitals, primary health care and other health facilities including self-employed. They provide
services directly to patients.
- Excluded are midwives working in administration, research and in other posts excluding direct
contact with patients, midwives working abroad, unemployed and retired midwives and students who
have not yet graduated.
- From 2000 onwards, data from Health Care Personnel have been completely revised. Therefore
comparable data before 2000 is not available.
Germany
Source of data: Federal Statistical Office, Health Care Personnel 2011, data released January 2013;
special calculation by the Federal Statistical Office, http://www.destatis.de or
http://www.gbe-bund.de.
Reference period: 31st December.
Coverage:
- Data (head-counts) contain the number of midwives actively practising in public and private
hospitals, primary health care and other health facilities including self-employed. They provide
services directly to patients.
- Excluded are midwives working in administration, research and in other posts excluding direct
contact with patients, midwives working abroad, unemployed and retired midwives and students who
have not yet graduated.
- From 2000 onwards, data from Health Care Personnel have been completely revised. Therefore
comparable data before 2000 is not available.
Greece
Data refers to professionally active midwives.
Source of data: Hellenic Statistical Authority (EL.STAT.).
Reference period: 31st December.
Source of data: Hellenic Statistical Authority (EL.STAT.).
Reference period: 31st December.
Hungary
Data refers to practising midwives.
Source of data: Hungarian Central Statistical Office; Report on personnel of health service.
Reference period: 31st December.
Coverage: From 1991, only persons who completed a midwifery educational programme are included.
Break in time series: 1991.
Note: In 2007, the number of obstetrics and gynaecology hospital beds was reduced (from 1949 in 2006
to 1599 in 2007). This is the cause for the reduction in the number of midwifes.
Source of data: Hungarian Central Statistical Office; Report on personnel of health service.
Reference period: 31st December.
Coverage: From 1991, only persons who completed a midwifery educational programme are included.
Break in time series: 1991.
Note: In 2007, the number of obstetrics and gynaecology hospital beds was reduced (from 1949 in 2006
to 1599 in 2007). This is the cause for the reduction in the number of midwifes.
Iceland
Data refers to practising midwives.
Source of data: Directorate of Health.
Reference period: 31st December.
Coverage:
- Midwives: 18 months of university education after completion of a nursing degree.
- Figures refer to midwives within hospitals, healthcare centers and nursing homes.
- Practising midwives - may refer more to professionally active midwives (but the group of
non-practising midwives is small).
- The peak in 2001 is due to ?change of source and methodology?.
- Year 2011. The peak cannot be explained fully but we will add the note ® estimate ¯ with the
figure of 2011.
The Directorate of Health that supplies the data uses data from the Association of Midwives and in
2012 a special work was conducted on its behalf on the number of midwives and hence the figure for
2012 is considered right.
Source of data: Directorate of Health.
Reference period: 31st December.
Coverage:
- Midwives: 18 months of university education after completion of a nursing degree.
- Figures refer to midwives within hospitals, healthcare centers and nursing homes.
- Practising midwives - may refer more to professionally active midwives (but the group of
non-practising midwives is small).
- The peak in 2001 is due to ?change of source and methodology?.
- Year 2011. The peak cannot be explained fully but we will add the note ® estimate ¯ with the
figure of 2011.
The Directorate of Health that supplies the data uses data from the Association of Midwives and in
2012 a special work was conducted on its behalf on the number of midwives and hence the figure for
2012 is considered right.
Ireland
No data for any midwife category.
Israel
Data refers to professionally active midwives.
Israel
Source of data: The data are based on the Midwives License Registry maintained by the Nursing
Division and the Health Information Division in the Ministry of Health, for which the demographic
information is periodically updated from the Population Registry at the Ministry of Interior.
Reference period: End of the year.
Coverage: Data are for licensed midwives under age 65. The number of midwives is not included in the
number of nurses.
Note: The statistical data for Israel are supplied by and under the responsibility of the relevant
Israeli authorities. The use of such data by the OECD is without prejudice to the status of the
Golan Heights, East Jerusalem and Israeli settlements in the West Bank under the terms of
international law.
Israel
Source of data: The data are based on the Midwives License Registry maintained by the Nursing
Division and the Health Information Division in the Ministry of Health, for which the demographic
information is periodically updated from the Population Registry at the Ministry of Interior.
Reference period: End of the year.
Coverage: Data are for licensed midwives under age 65. The number of midwives is not included in the
number of nurses.
Note: The statistical data for Israel are supplied by and under the responsibility of the relevant
Israeli authorities. The use of such data by the OECD is without prejudice to the status of the
Golan Heights, East Jerusalem and Israeli settlements in the West Bank under the terms of
international law.
Italy
Data refers to professionally active midwives.
Source of data: ISTAT, Labour Force Survey. http://www.istat.it/it/archivio/8263.
Reference period: Annual average.
Coverage: Sample survey.
Estimation method: Estimation from the sample survey. Data are subject to variations due to the
sample size.
Source of data: ISTAT, Labour Force Survey. http://www.istat.it/it/archivio/8263.
Reference period: Annual average.
Coverage: Sample survey.
Estimation method: Estimation from the sample survey. Data are subject to variations due to the
sample size.
Kazakhstan
Data refers to practising midwives.
Note: Division on Professional and Associate professional midwives does not exist in the country
Note: Division on Professional and Associate professional midwives does not exist in the country
Kyrgyzstan
Data refers to practising midwives.
NA
NA
Latvia
Data refers to practising midwives.
Source of data:
- Since 2005: Health Inspectorate of Latvia; Medical Persons' Register.
- 2004 and earlier: Health Statistics and Medical Technologies State Agency; Statistical Report
No.17 \Report About Medical Staff\".
Reference period: 31 December.
Break in series: 2005: Change in data source."
Source of data:
- Since 2005: Health Inspectorate of Latvia; Medical Persons' Register.
- 2004 and earlier: Health Statistics and Medical Technologies State Agency; Statistical Report
No.17 \Report About Medical Staff\".
Reference period: 31 December.
Break in series: 2005: Change in data source."
Lithuania
Data refers to practising midwives.
Source of data: Health Information Centre of Institute of Hygiene, data of entire annual survey of
health establishments. Report ?Health Statistics of Lithuania?, available from
http://sic.hi.lt/html/en/hsl.htm.
Reference period: 31st December.
Coverage: The number of practising midwives at the end of the year includes all professionally
active midwives excluding those working in administration, health education and research.
Source of data: Health Information Centre of Institute of Hygiene, data of entire annual survey of
health establishments. Report ?Health Statistics of Lithuania?, available from
http://sic.hi.lt/html/en/hsl.htm.
Reference period: 31st December.
Coverage: The number of practising midwives at the end of the year includes all professionally
active midwives excluding those working in administration, health education and research.
Luxembourg
Data refers to practising midwives.
Source of data: Direction de la Sante - Service des statistiques. Register of doctors and health
professionals.
Reference period: 31st December.
Coverage:
- Head counts.
- Practising midwives; midwives who do not work in direct contact with patients (laboratories,
administration, R&D, etc) are excluded.
- Data should be considered with care due to methodological issues encountered during census series
concerning midwives, nurses and pharmacists.
Break in time series: 2003 and 2005 due to adjustments to the methodology.
Source of data: Direction de la Sante - Service des statistiques. Register of doctors and health
professionals.
Reference period: 31st December.
Coverage:
- Head counts.
- Practising midwives; midwives who do not work in direct contact with patients (laboratories,
administration, R&D, etc) are excluded.
- Data should be considered with care due to methodological issues encountered during census series
concerning midwives, nurses and pharmacists.
Break in time series: 2003 and 2005 due to adjustments to the methodology.
Malta
Data refers to practising midwives.
Source of data:
- Starting from 2009 data was collected by the Department of Health Information and Research from
all establishments and departments within the Maltese healthcare system.
- Before 2009: the source is Directorate Nursing Services.
Reference period: 31st December.
Coverage: Before 2009 the numbers quoted refer only to midwives employed in state institutions.
Break in series: 2009. From 2009 data refers to midwives employed in both, state and private
institutions, but does not include self-employed midwives. Data on practising midwives is not
collected by the Council of Nurses and Midwives to date..
Source of data:
- Starting from 2009 data was collected by the Department of Health Information and Research from
all establishments and departments within the Maltese healthcare system.
- Before 2009: the source is Directorate Nursing Services.
Reference period: 31st December.
Coverage: Before 2009 the numbers quoted refer only to midwives employed in state institutions.
Break in series: 2009. From 2009 data refers to midwives employed in both, state and private
institutions, but does not include self-employed midwives. Data on practising midwives is not
collected by the Council of Nurses and Midwives to date..
Monaco
Data refers to practising midwives.
NA
NA
Montenegro
Data refers to practising midwives.
Source of data: The source for all data submitted is the Institute of Public Health. Some additional
information can be found in Health Statistical Yearbooks available at http://www.ijzcg.me/
Reference period: December 31st.
Coverage: Only data from the public sector.
Deviation from the definition: Data for practicing midwives and professionally active midwives
cannot be split at the moment.
Source of data: The source for all data submitted is the Institute of Public Health. Some additional
information can be found in Health Statistical Yearbooks available at http://www.ijzcg.me/
Reference period: December 31st.
Coverage: Only data from the public sector.
Deviation from the definition: Data for practicing midwives and professionally active midwives
cannot be split at the moment.
Netherlands
Data refers to practising midwives.
Source of data: Netherlands Institute for Research of Primary Health Care (NIVEL).
Reference period: 31 December.
Source of data: Netherlands Institute for Research of Primary Health Care (NIVEL).
Reference period: 31 December.
North Macedonia
Data refers to professionally active midwives.
Source of data: Institute for Public Health ?Skopje. Report for health staff in health sector
(3-00-60)..
Reference period: 31st December.
Note: Starting from 2008, midwifery education becomes university-level education (instead of
secondary school level).
Source of data: Institute for Public Health ?Skopje. Report for health staff in health sector
(3-00-60)..
Reference period: 31st December.
Note: Starting from 2008, midwifery education becomes university-level education (instead of
secondary school level).
Norway
Data refers to practising midwives.
Source of data: Statistics Norway; Register-based statistics on employment of health-care personnel.
See http://www.ssb.no/hesospers_en/.
Reference period: 3rd week of November.
Coverage: The figures provided give the number of practising midwives within HP1-HP3. There is no
guarantee that these professionals actually work in patient care as data refer to the education the
individuals have rather than the job they hold within HP 1-3. 2011 and onwards: Practising midwives
include midwives providing services directly to patients.
Break in time series: 2011.
Source of data: Statistics Norway; Register-based statistics on employment of health-care personnel.
See http://www.ssb.no/hesospers_en/.
Reference period: 3rd week of November.
Coverage: The figures provided give the number of practising midwives within HP1-HP3. There is no
guarantee that these professionals actually work in patient care as data refer to the education the
individuals have rather than the job they hold within HP 1-3. 2011 and onwards: Practising midwives
include midwives providing services directly to patients.
Break in time series: 2011.
Poland
Data refers to practising midwives.
Source of data: Ministry of Health and from 2004 the Ministry of Interior and Administration and the
Ministry of National Defence.
Reference period: 31st December.
Coverage: Data regarding midwives are based on head counts. Midwives are counted in the main
workplace. The categories ?Midwifery associate professionals? or ?Nurses working as midwives? do not
exist in Poland.
- Since 2004, data from the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Interior and
Administration.
- Since 2004, midwives working in private medical offices as a main workplace.
- Foreign midwives licensed to practice and actively practising in the country.
- Since 2004, teaching and administration staff is excluded.
Break in time series: 2004. Since 2004, midwives working primarily in education and administration
are excluded, and midwives working in private medical offices as well as midwifes employed by the
Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Interior and Administration are included.
Source of data: Ministry of Health and from 2004 the Ministry of Interior and Administration and the
Ministry of National Defence.
Reference period: 31st December.
Coverage: Data regarding midwives are based on head counts. Midwives are counted in the main
workplace. The categories ?Midwifery associate professionals? or ?Nurses working as midwives? do not
exist in Poland.
- Since 2004, data from the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Interior and
Administration.
- Since 2004, midwives working in private medical offices as a main workplace.
- Foreign midwives licensed to practice and actively practising in the country.
- Since 2004, teaching and administration staff is excluded.
Break in time series: 2004. Since 2004, midwives working primarily in education and administration
are excluded, and midwives working in private medical offices as well as midwifes employed by the
Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Interior and Administration are included.
Portugal
Data refers to professionally active midwives.
Source of data: Statistics Portugal and the Council of Nurses.
Coverage:
- Data for midwives in Portugal refer to nurses specialised in Maternal Health and Obstetrics.
- Maternal Health and Obstetrics is currently a nursing specialty.
Source of data: Statistics Portugal and the Council of Nurses.
Coverage:
- Data for midwives in Portugal refer to nurses specialised in Maternal Health and Obstetrics.
- Maternal Health and Obstetrics is currently a nursing specialty.
Republic of Moldova
Data refers to practising midwives.
Source of data: Ministry of Health of the Republic of Moldova, National Centre for Health
Management, Annual statistical report N17 ?On staff and cadres of health institutions?.
http://cnms.md/areas/statistics/anyar/.
Reference period: Data as of December 31.
Coverage: Data exclude Transnistria.
Deviation from the definition: Foreign midwives are not included.
Source of data: Ministry of Health of the Republic of Moldova, National Centre for Health
Management, Annual statistical report N17 ?On staff and cadres of health institutions?.
http://cnms.md/areas/statistics/anyar/.
Reference period: Data as of December 31.
Coverage: Data exclude Transnistria.
Deviation from the definition: Foreign midwives are not included.
Romania
Data refers to practising midwives.
Source of data:
Ministry of Health for all by 2007 data
National Institute of Statistics, Activity of Sanitary Units ? annual survey performed by NIS.
Reference period: data as of 31st December.
Coverage:
- Only the Ministry of Health network, by 2007.
- All public and private sectors since 2007.
- Until 2007 midwives working in administration, research and in other posts that exclude direct
contact with patients could not be totally excluded.
Break in the series: 2007.
The number of midwives includes, also, practising nurses with specialized education (upper secondary
ISCED level 3 and post-secondary non-tertiary ISCED level 4) working in obstetrics and gynecology
departments and midwives with university degree (tertiary education, ISCED level 5)
Source of data:
Ministry of Health for all by 2007 data
National Institute of Statistics, Activity of Sanitary Units ? annual survey performed by NIS.
Reference period: data as of 31st December.
Coverage:
- Only the Ministry of Health network, by 2007.
- All public and private sectors since 2007.
- Until 2007 midwives working in administration, research and in other posts that exclude direct
contact with patients could not be totally excluded.
Break in the series: 2007.
The number of midwives includes, also, practising nurses with specialized education (upper secondary
ISCED level 3 and post-secondary non-tertiary ISCED level 4) working in obstetrics and gynecology
departments and midwives with university degree (tertiary education, ISCED level 5)
Russian Federation
Data refers to practising midwives.
NA
NA
San Marino
Data refers to practising midwives.
Source of data: Human Resources Office at the Social Security Institute.
Coverage: Data include only public sector? health professionals.
Source of data: Human Resources Office at the Social Security Institute.
Coverage: Data include only public sector? health professionals.
Serbia
Data refers to professionally active midwives.
Source of data: Institute of Public Health of Serbia, National register on health care human
resources. http://www.batut.org.rs/
Reference period: 31st December
Coverage: Data for Kosovo-Metohija province are not included in the coverage of data for the
Republic of Serbia. Data from health institutions under the other ministries (military services,
prisons, social services) than the Ministry of Health are not included. Data from private health
sector are not included.
Source of data: Institute of Public Health of Serbia, National register on health care human
resources. http://www.batut.org.rs/
Reference period: 31st December
Coverage: Data for Kosovo-Metohija province are not included in the coverage of data for the
Republic of Serbia. Data from health institutions under the other ministries (military services,
prisons, social services) than the Ministry of Health are not included. Data from private health
sector are not included.
Slovakia
Data refers to professionally active midwives.
Source of data: National Health Information Center.
- There is no register of nurses and midwives in the Slovak Republic. The data come from ?The Annual
report on structure and number of health professionals and health care workers in the Slovak
Republic?; therefore, only data on professionally active midwives are provided.
Reference period: 31st December.
Break in time series: The increase in the number of professionally active midwives in 2002 is due to
change in methodology of statistical finding in accordance with Act No 156 / 2002 (due to change of
classification of midwife category).
Note: There is no distinction between professional and associate professional midwives in the Slovak
Republic. All midwives are reported in the category professional midwives.
Source of data: National Health Information Center.
- There is no register of nurses and midwives in the Slovak Republic. The data come from ?The Annual
report on structure and number of health professionals and health care workers in the Slovak
Republic?; therefore, only data on professionally active midwives are provided.
Reference period: 31st December.
Break in time series: The increase in the number of professionally active midwives in 2002 is due to
change in methodology of statistical finding in accordance with Act No 156 / 2002 (due to change of
classification of midwife category).
Note: There is no distinction between professional and associate professional midwives in the Slovak
Republic. All midwives are reported in the category professional midwives.
Slovenia
Data refers to practising midwives.
Source of data: The National Institute of Public Health of the Republic of Slovenia; National Health
Care Providers Database.
Reference period: 31st December.
Coverage:
- Practising midwives are those working in the health-care sector (primary and secondary care)
including public health institutes and the health insurance institute.
- The National Health Care Providers Database is a registry with total (100 %) coverage of health
workers.
Source of data: The National Institute of Public Health of the Republic of Slovenia; National Health
Care Providers Database.
Reference period: 31st December.
Coverage:
- Practising midwives are those working in the health-care sector (primary and secondary care)
including public health institutes and the health insurance institute.
- The National Health Care Providers Database is a registry with total (100 %) coverage of health
workers.
Spain
Data refers to licensed midwives.
Source of data: National Statistics Institute (INE), from the Register of Nurses Council.
http://www.ine.es/jaxi/menu.do?type=pcaxis&path=/t15/p416&file=inebase&L=0.
Reference period: Data as of December 31.
Coverage:
- In Spain, the midwifery educational programme is a specialty of nursing education.
- Data include midwives ?licensed to practice? and who are registered in the Nurses Council.
Therefore, in addition to practising midwives, data may include midwives who are not economically
active in the country (non-practising, retired professionals).
Source of data: National Statistics Institute (INE), from the Register of Nurses Council.
http://www.ine.es/jaxi/menu.do?type=pcaxis&path=/t15/p416&file=inebase&L=0.
Reference period: Data as of December 31.
Coverage:
- In Spain, the midwifery educational programme is a specialty of nursing education.
- Data include midwives ?licensed to practice? and who are registered in the Nurses Council.
Therefore, in addition to practising midwives, data may include midwives who are not economically
active in the country (non-practising, retired professionals).
Sweden
Data refers to professionally active midwives.
Source of data: National Board of Health and Welfare, National Planning Support (NPS) register.
Reference period: 1st November.
Coverage:
In addition to the NACE-codes used to identify practicing midwives the NACE-codes:
75.1 - Public authorities
80.3 - Higher education establishments
are used to identify professional active midwives
- 100 per cent coverage.
Source of data: National Board of Health and Welfare, National Planning Support (NPS) register.
Reference period: 1st November.
Coverage:
In addition to the NACE-codes used to identify practicing midwives the NACE-codes:
75.1 - Public authorities
80.3 - Higher education establishments
are used to identify professional active midwives
- 100 per cent coverage.
Switzerland
Data refers to practising midwives.
Source of data: FSO Federal Statistical Office, Neuchatel; hospital statistics; yearly census.
Coverage: Midwives working in hospitals. The ambulatory health care sector is not yet covered.
Estimation method: Until 2009, estimations were made with data on professions from 75% of hospitals.
Hospitals giving valid information on professions are reasonably assumed to be representative of the
whole category (university hospitals, acute hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitation
hospitals, and other specialised hospitals).
Break in time series:
- 1980, 1990 and 2000: Population Census Data.
- Since 2005, practising midwives in hospitals are included.
- Since 2010, hospital statistics have been revised; no estimation needed.
Source of data: FSO Federal Statistical Office, Neuchatel; hospital statistics; yearly census.
Coverage: Midwives working in hospitals. The ambulatory health care sector is not yet covered.
Estimation method: Until 2009, estimations were made with data on professions from 75% of hospitals.
Hospitals giving valid information on professions are reasonably assumed to be representative of the
whole category (university hospitals, acute hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitation
hospitals, and other specialised hospitals).
Break in time series:
- 1980, 1990 and 2000: Population Census Data.
- Since 2005, practising midwives in hospitals are included.
- Since 2010, hospital statistics have been revised; no estimation needed.
Tajikistan
Data refers to practising midwives.
NA
NA
Türkiye
Data refers to professionally active midwives.
Source of data:
- From 2000 onwards: General Directorate for Health Services, Ministry of Health.
- Up to 1999: Health Statistics Yearbook - Ministry of Health.
Coverage:
- Total number of midwives in the MoH, university, and private sectors. MOD-affiliated facilities
are not included.
- Since 2010, data also include midwives in the Other Sector.
- Unemployed and retired midwives, midwives working abroad and students who have not yet graduated
from school are not included.
- The small number of midwives working in administration is included.
- A quantitative increase was noted in the employment of midwives in 2006-2007 period.
Source of data:
- From 2000 onwards: General Directorate for Health Services, Ministry of Health.
- Up to 1999: Health Statistics Yearbook - Ministry of Health.
Coverage:
- Total number of midwives in the MoH, university, and private sectors. MOD-affiliated facilities
are not included.
- Since 2010, data also include midwives in the Other Sector.
- Unemployed and retired midwives, midwives working abroad and students who have not yet graduated
from school are not included.
- The small number of midwives working in administration is included.
- A quantitative increase was noted in the employment of midwives in 2006-2007 period.
Turkmenistan
Data refers to professionally active midwives.
Source of data: Report from of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan. ? 17
?Health employment?
Reference period: 31 December.
Coverage: Includes data from institutions under the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of
Turkmenistan, data from other Ministries or sectors not included.
Note: a 58% decrease in numbers of professionally active midwives in 2004 is a consequence of the
state programme Health on re-organization of the health institutions with the purpose of rational
use of human resources for health in the country.
Source of data: Report from of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan. ? 17
?Health employment?
Reference period: 31 December.
Coverage: Includes data from institutions under the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of
Turkmenistan, data from other Ministries or sectors not included.
Note: a 58% decrease in numbers of professionally active midwives in 2004 is a consequence of the
state programme Health on re-organization of the health institutions with the purpose of rational
use of human resources for health in the country.
Ukraine
Data refers to practising midwives.
Source: Centre of Health Statistics, Ministry of Health.
Coverage: Since 2009, data includes public and private sector.
Source: Centre of Health Statistics, Ministry of Health.
Coverage: Since 2009, data includes public and private sector.
United Kingdom
Data refers to practising midwives.
Source of data:
- England: Health & Social Care Information Centre: http://www.hscic.gov.uk.
- Wales: Welsh Assembly Government: http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/statistics/theme/health/?lang=en.
- Scotland: Information Services Division, Scottish Workforce Information Standard System.
- Northern Ireland: Department for Health, Social Services and Public Safety:
http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index/stats_research.
Reference period: As at 30th September.
Coverage:
- Does not include private sector.
- Scotland: Time series from 2000 re-submitted with revised methodology. It is now possible to
differentiate between qualified and unqualified nurses using AfC bandings. Therefore, unqualified
nurses have been removed from data.
- Northern Ireland: Data exclude bank, agency staff and staff on career breaks. Midwives are
registered with the Nursing & Midwifery Council after completing either a degree or Diploma in
Midwifery or an 18 month pre-registration course if already a registered nurse.
- Wales: Data exclude bank staff.
Deviation from the definition:
- Scotland: Data will exclude some midwives with low level qualifications that may fall under the
definition of associate midwives. Data include midwives with Agenda for Change bands 5-9. Therefore,
the Scotland figure is likely to be an undercount compared to the definition.
Estimation method:
- Wales: Data prior to 2008 are estimates. Between 2007 and 2008, there was a large reduction in
headcount numbers for non-medical staff in Wales, as records with whole-time equivalent (WTE) equal
to 0 had been revised. This decrease was due to improvements in data quality, not a reduction in
staff numbers, and 2008 headcounts are more accurate than previous figures. Therefore, the ratio
between headcounts and WTE numbers for the affected staff categories in 2008 were calculated. These
ratios were then applied to WTE figures for years prior to 2008 to produce estimates for those
years.
- Wales: 2012 - Welsh data were not available in time for this collection, so the previous year?s
figure was used instead. This will be updated with the correct data in next year?s collection.
- Scotland: Data for 2006 has been estimated based on an average of the figures from 2005 and 2007.
Source of data:
- England: Health & Social Care Information Centre: http://www.hscic.gov.uk.
- Wales: Welsh Assembly Government: http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/statistics/theme/health/?lang=en.
- Scotland: Information Services Division, Scottish Workforce Information Standard System.
- Northern Ireland: Department for Health, Social Services and Public Safety:
http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index/stats_research.
Reference period: As at 30th September.
Coverage:
- Does not include private sector.
- Scotland: Time series from 2000 re-submitted with revised methodology. It is now possible to
differentiate between qualified and unqualified nurses using AfC bandings. Therefore, unqualified
nurses have been removed from data.
- Northern Ireland: Data exclude bank, agency staff and staff on career breaks. Midwives are
registered with the Nursing & Midwifery Council after completing either a degree or Diploma in
Midwifery or an 18 month pre-registration course if already a registered nurse.
- Wales: Data exclude bank staff.
Deviation from the definition:
- Scotland: Data will exclude some midwives with low level qualifications that may fall under the
definition of associate midwives. Data include midwives with Agenda for Change bands 5-9. Therefore,
the Scotland figure is likely to be an undercount compared to the definition.
Estimation method:
- Wales: Data prior to 2008 are estimates. Between 2007 and 2008, there was a large reduction in
headcount numbers for non-medical staff in Wales, as records with whole-time equivalent (WTE) equal
to 0 had been revised. This decrease was due to improvements in data quality, not a reduction in
staff numbers, and 2008 headcounts are more accurate than previous figures. Therefore, the ratio
between headcounts and WTE numbers for the affected staff categories in 2008 were calculated. These
ratios were then applied to WTE figures for years prior to 2008 to produce estimates for those
years.
- Wales: 2012 - Welsh data were not available in time for this collection, so the previous year?s
figure was used instead. This will be updated with the correct data in next year?s collection.
- Scotland: Data for 2006 has been estimated based on an average of the figures from 2005 and 2007.
Uzbekistan
Data refers to practising midwives.
Source of data: Institute of Health and Medical Statistics, the Ministry of Health of the Republic
of Uzbekistan, reporting form 15-SSV ?Report on Health personnel by categories?.
Reference period: 31 December.
Coverage: data include personnel working within the system of the Ministry of Health only.
Source of data: Institute of Health and Medical Statistics, the Ministry of Health of the Republic
of Uzbekistan, reporting form 15-SSV ?Report on Health personnel by categories?.
Reference period: 31 December.
Coverage: data include personnel working within the system of the Ministry of Health only.