On International Day of the Midwife, the case for one million more

5 May, the world marks the International Day of the Midwife. This year's call is clear: One Million More Midwives. And United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reminds us that there is a role for all of us in answering it.

Here are five things everyone should understand about midwives and why investing in them is one of the most consequential decisions we can make.

1 - The world is short at least one million midwives and Africa bears the greatest burden
The global midwifery workforce stands at around 1.9 million: roughly two thirds of what is needed. More than half the gap is concentrated in Africa, which also carries some of the world's highest maternal death rates.

2 - Midwives deliver nine in ten essential sexual and reproductive health services but make up only one in ten of the health workforce
The mismatch is staggering. Midwives are among the most versatile providers in any health system, yet they remain chronically outnumbered, underfunded, and excluded from the decision-making tables that shape health policy.

3 - Midwives save lives far beyond the delivery room
Beyond safe births, midwives reduce unwanted pregnancies, prevent unsafe abortions, cut mother-to-child HIV transmission, and lower unnecessary Caesarean sections. Their impact ripples across generations into healthier families, communities, and economies.

4 - Every dollar invested in midwifery can return up to sixteen times over
Midwifery is described as the ultimate “best buy” in achieving universal health coverage. The economic and social returns from reduced maternal mortality to healthier newborns entering productive lives make the investment case overwhelming. And yet budgets keep shrinking.

5 - Universal midwife-led care by 2035 could prevent the majority of maternal deaths, newborn deaths, and stillbirths
Research shows that full coverage of midwife-led care could prevent 67% of maternal deaths, 64% of newborn deaths, and 65% of stillbirths, saving an estimated 4.3 million lives every year. The solution exists. The will to fund it must follow.