The consulting firm analyzed 2021 data from Lightcast and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, including 2021 jobs, their predicted 2031 demand, and degrees or certifications completed in 2021 for various healthcare careers. Education rates in 2021 fall short on training enough employees for six healthcare roles for the next decade.
Here are forecasted labor shortages for 2031:
Nursing care: 831,212 open positions
Specialty care: 62,604
Primary care: 13,420
Pharmacy: 38,675
Dentistry: 36,517
Emergency medical services: 11,701
The supply of workers for one sector in healthcare is expected to surpass the demand by 2031. In 2021, the U.S. employed 1.06 million behavioral health workers, and in 2031, the number of behavioral health jobs is projected to be 1.2 million. With about 130,000 people achieving a degree or certification for this specialty in 2021, McKinsey predicts there will be enough workers to fill these positions, plus another 13,000 qualified individuals.
