The objective of human resources for health (HRH) planning is to equip governments with the information and tools they require to determine the health workforce needed to meet the needs of the population, both now and in the future. With HRH representing the largest portion of the health care budget in most countries, the capacity to estimate changing population health needs and future gaps in HRH supply and demand is critical to achieving an effective and effi cient health care delivery system. (AU)