1 Million More Midwives: Why More Midwives Save Lives
1 Million More Midwives: Why the world urgently needs more midwives
The name of our fashion label "MORE MIDWIVES" says it all: there is a global shortage of millions of midwives. The initiative of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) – “One Million More Midwives” – highlights the global shortage and shows why action must be taken now.
Dramatic figures on maternal health worldwide
Every year, there are 4.3 million cases of preventable maternal deaths worldwide. Approximately 800 women die each day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth.
These figures show that it is not just a training problem, but also a matter of global justice and access to healthcare as a fundamental right.
The central role of midwives
According to the World Health Organization:
If midwives are trained to international standards and also offer family planning, more than 80% of all maternal and newborn deaths could be prevented.
Midwives accompany pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period – often as the only medical professionals in underserved regions. They also provide education and strengthen women's self-determination.
Major care gap worldwide
Although midwives could provide around 90% of the necessary care, they make up less than 10% of the global health workforce.
Inequality continues to grow – especially in low-income countries.
👉 The world currently needs around 1 million more midwives.
“1 Million More Midwives”
1. The true extent of the shortage
- The number: Latest studies from 2026 confirm a deficit of exactly 980,000 midwives worldwide. Without immediate action, this gap will persist or grow well into the 2030s.
- The capacity: Midwives could provide 90% of all essential sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, and adolescent health (SRMNAH) services – if they had the necessary support.
2. Why investments are "lifesavers" now
Investing in 1 million additional midwives is not a cost, but one of the most cost-effective health strategies:
- Massive reduction in mortality: By 2035, 4.3 million lives could be saved annually.
- Concrete figures: Comprehensive midwifery care would prevent 67% of maternal deaths, 64% of newborn deaths, and 65% of stillbirths.
- Prevention of unnecessary interventions: More midwives mean fewer C-sections and fewer follow-up costs and operations due to untrained personnel.
3. The demands in detail
In addition to these points, specific demands include:
- Full scope of practice: Midwives must be allowed to utilize their full scope of practice, instead of being used only as "assistants" in clinics.
- Leadership positions: Integration of midwives into political decision-making processes and the leadership of health systems.
- Protection and safety: An end to dangerous workloads that lead to burnout and make the profession unattractive.
Conclusion: An investment in the future
More midwives save lives. With the right support, millions of deaths could be prevented.
At more-midwives.com, we also advocate with our styles and designs on social media and on our textiles for permanent budgets for midwifery care instead of project-based one-off payments. Only in this way can sustainable structures be built for generations and worldwide.
The goal is clear: a world where no birth is endangered by a shortage of skilled professionals. One Million More Midwives. Invest in Life.
And here is a comparison of 1 million more midwives with Germany, showing how we treat our midwives, who are so needed worldwide.