INTERACTIVE: Overseas demand for Malaysian nurses soars

PETALING JAYA: Employment agencies involved in recruiting Malaysian nurses for jobs overseas say that the number of applicants has risen by up to 50% this year.

The Middle East and Singapore are top destinations, with Australia, New Zealand, the European Union and the United States showing greater interest in hiring Malaysian nurses.

Melorita Healthcare global digital marketing executive Asiah Osman Yusuf said the agency is seeing a 50% rise in applications from Malaysian nurses seeking jobs overseas this year compared to last year, with Saudi Arabia being the top destination.

“The highest demand is for nurses trained in critical care. Other in-demand specialties include medical-surgical, operating room and specialty care.

“Most nurses are motivated by opportunities for better career progression, higher and more stable income and exposure to international healthcare practices,” she said.

Sehat Jobs CEO Santhya Maria Ramanado said the interest in overseas placements has steadily grown, with a 20% to 30% annual increase in the number of Malaysian nurses exploring international roles.

“The trend is driven by several factors, including the global nursing shortage and the growing visibility of overseas opportunities through social media and online platforms,” she said.

She added that Singapore and Middle Eastern countries remain popular choices due to their proximity and cultural familiarity.

“In recent years, however, there’s been a notable rise in interest from Australia, New Zealand, the European Union, and most significantly, the United States.

“The US wasn’t always seen as a top choice, but in the past 24 months, we’ve seen more applicants aiming to work there, especially those wanting to relocate with their families and obtain green cards,” she said.

Asked what motivated Malay­sian nurses to leave, Santhya pointed to financial pressures.

“Many nurses face stagnant wages, overwhelming workloads and limited chances to save or advance their careers.

“They’re burnt out. Some are sole breadwinners, working back-to-back shifts and still unable to save. Those (things) hit hard,” she said.

In a written reply to the Dewan Rakyat on Aug 18, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said Malaysian Nursing Board records show that 3,021 nurses went abroad in 2024, up by 24% from the previous year (2,445).

Of this number, 2,554 (84.5%) were from the private sector, 353 (11.7%) from the Health Ministry, and 114 (3.8%) from other public healthcare facilities.

The main destinations were Saudi Arabia (1,782 nurses), Singapore (1,038) and the United Kingdom (33).

The Health Ministry’s data show that until June 30, there were 10,027 vacancies for nurses in the public sector.

A total of 1,754 nurses have also resigned from public hospitals from 2020 to last year.

The Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia has warned of a critical shortage of nurses in private hospitals, estimating a need for over 9,200 additional nurses between 2023 and this year.

In May 2024, Dr Dzulkefly also projected that Malaysia will face a nearly 60% shortfall of nurses by 2030.

For some nurses, the decision to move overseas is not just about money, but also about lifestyle and religious aspirations.

Three Malaysian nurses currently working in Saudi Arabia said high salaries and the easy opportunity to perform the Islamic pilgrimage were key motivations for making the move.

Siti Aishah Edrus, a 30-year-old staff nurse who has been based in Taif since October last year, said she had always dreamt of working in Saudi Arabia.

“I learned a lot in my previous workplace in Malaysia, but the main challenges were salary and time.

“I didn’t earn much for seven years and most of my time was spent working.

“Here, I work five days a week compared to six in Malaysia,” said Siti Aishah, who has been sharing her work journey on TikTok (@aishah_mnh).

Thirty-year-old staff nurse Muhammad Aiman Mohamad Noor, who moved to Jeddah in 2023 after seven years in Malaysia, said the switch offered him a better quality of life.

“Saudi Arabia offers better pay, advanced healthcare systems and a more structured work environment.

Stepping out of my comfort zone has strengthened my foundation and raised my professional standards,” he said.

Noor Hafiza Fariha, 39, has been working in Saudi Arabia since 2017.

“The salary is four to five times higher than in Malaysia, and with paid leave for hajj and umrah, it was an easy decision,” she said.

Curious about how much nurses earn across Malaysia? Use our interactive wage calculator.