Data shows a sharp increase in midwives under 35 leaving the NHS, alongside high dropout rates for midwifery students, amid concerns over burnout and staffing.
Key facts
- •In 2025-26, 1,669 midwives aged 34 or under resigned from the NHS in England.
- •The number of midwives under 35 quitting in 2025-26 was 59% higher than the 1,051 who left in 2014-15.
- •Approximately 24% of midwifery students who started their training in 2021 dropped out before graduating in 2024.
- •During 2025-26, 14.6% of midwives aged 25 to 29 and 16.6% of those aged 30 to 34 left the NHS.
- •The Royal College of Midwives reports that three-quarters of midwives have considered leaving the profession in the past year.
A growing number of midwives under the age of 35 are resigning from the NHS in England, contributing to ongoing staffing shortages in maternity units. During the 2025-26 period, 1,669 midwives in this age group left the service, representing over half of all midwife resignations. Experts and officials warn that this trend, driven by burnout and intense workplace pressures, threatens the safety and quality of maternity care.
By the numbers
Staffing and Training Challenges
The exodus of younger staff is accompanied by a high attrition rate among students. Data indicates that 24% of midwifery students who began their degrees in 2021 did not graduate in 2024, with 840 out of 3,565 students dropping out. The Royal College of Midwives describes the situation as a staffing emergency, noting that three-quarters of midwives have considered leaving the profession in the last year due to concerns over patient safety and staffing levels. Reviews by Donna Ockenden and Valerie Amos have previously identified staff shortages as a primary factor endangering patient care. Hannah Leonard, deputy chief midwife at the RCM, stated that the loss of young staff and students is a waste of talent caused by shifts characterized by missed breaks and unpaid hours.
Government Response and Workforce Figures
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) stated that there are currently a record 25,500 full-time-equivalent midwives in the NHS, an increase of 2,000 since July 2024. The government highlighted recent initiatives to improve staff wellbeing, including flexible working policies and measures to address harassment. Additionally, the government has introduced a graduate guarantee and allocated £10 million to fund 1,000 new midwifery roles to help retain students.
Timeline
- 2014-15A total of 1,051 midwives under 35 left the NHS.
- 20213,565 students began their midwifery degree courses.
- July 2024The Labour government took office.
- 20242,725 midwifery students graduated from their courses.
- 2025-261,669 midwives aged 34 or under resigned from the health service.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by The Guardian Health.
