Recruitment of nurses is not permitted from every country. The WHO has established guidelines for fair recruitment that organizations must be aware of. This article explains the purpose of the WHO list, identifies the 55 affected countries, outlines which countries are approved for recruitment, and demonstrates how we facilitate compliant international nurse recruitment.
What is the WHO List and Why Does It Exist?
The World Health Organization identifies and protects countries with critical shortages of healthcare personnel. Recruitment from these countries is not permitted. These countries are on the WHO list, officially called the “Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List.” The current list from 2023 includes 55 countries worldwide. The list is updated every three years, with the next revision scheduled for 2026.
Inclusion on this list follows clear criteria: A country is classified as vulnerable if it has fewer than 49 doctors, nurses, and midwives per 10,000 inhabitants. Additionally, the universal health coverage index must be below 55, meaning the country achieves less than 55% of optimal care and thus has significantly limited access to healthcare services.
These Countries Are on the WHO List:
- Africa: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Togo, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
- Asia: Afghanistan, Djibouti, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Bangladesh, Nepal, Timor-Leste, Democratic People’s Republic of Laos
- Australia/Oceania: Kiribati, Micronesia (Federated States), Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
- Americas: Haiti
Legal Regulations in Germany: § 38 BeschV
These guidelines also have direct implications for recruitment in Germany: Section 38 of the Employment Regulation (§ 38 der Beschäftigungsverordnung) establishes that from these 55 countries, only the Bundesagentur für Arbeit may recruit and place nursing staff. Private recruitment agencies and employers are not permitted to actively search for personnel in these countries.
Important to know: Individual nurses from these countries can still apply on their own initiative for specific positions in Germany. The prohibition only applies to active recruitment by private agencies and employers.
Recruitment Is Permitted from These Countries
The positive outlook: Numerous countries outside the WHO list present excellent recruitment opportunities. Our extensive experience with nurses from over 60 countries of origin has identified which nations offer optimal conditions. We have established particularly successful recruitment partnerships with qualified nurses from the following countries:
- Africa: Tunisia, Morocco, Kenya, Egypt, Algeria, Jordan
- Asia: Uzbekistan, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Iran, China, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Lebanon
- South America: Ecuador, Colombia
- Europe: Turkey, Albania
The Bundesagentur für Arbeit has established official placement agreements with many of these countries. These bilateral cooperations ensure that recruitment processes benefit all stakeholders involved.
Fair Recruitment with Careloop | Klett
We maintain the highest standards of corporate responsibility, with responsible and ethical recruitment at the core of our operations. Since 2022, we have held the “Fair Recruitment Care Germany” quality seal. This state-certified accreditation confirms our adherence to the highest ethical standards, full compliance with all international guidelines, and exclusive recruitment of international nurses from WHO-approved countries.
Our digital platform enables you to connect with qualified nurses from approved countries. We provide comprehensive application and document management services. From initial contact through immigration procedures to successful professional recognition, we deliver professional support to both employers and candidates. With over 1,000 successful placements, we have demonstrated that international recruitment can operate with transparency and efficiency. Learn more about our recruitment process.
Start Your Fair Recruitment Now
Would you like to recruit international nurses sustainably and fairly? Then you’ve come to the right place! We’re happy to support you with our high-quality, quality seal-certified service.
As a reliable partner, we stand by your side throughout the entire recruitment and integration process. Register on our platform and let us fill your open positions together.