The Scottish government statistics show the number of nursing and midwifery staff in September this year was 56,309, while in the same month last year it was 57,878.
The figures also show that, overall in Scotland, the NHS workforce has 4000 fewer staff than a year ago.
The Scottish National Party (SNP) government said the figures were in line with previous estimates, but Labour said the SNP has allowed the NHS to ‘haemorrhage’ workers.
Labour health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said: ‘The SNP government promised to protect our NHS and frontline workers, but these figures expose the harsh reality is that the SNP is doing neither.’
She added that despite promises, the SNP ‘allowed the NHS in Scotland to haemorrhage over 4000 staff’.
While Tory health spokeswoman Nanette Milne MSP, said the statistics confirm ‘the SNP is failing to protect frontline NHS services’.
The Scottish government said the figures were in line with previously projections and that there has been an increase in other clinical staff, including consultants and doctors.
Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon, said that the NHS ‘doesn't stand still’.
‘It is currently in a period of transition, as the balance of care shifts towards more community care and shorter hospital stays,’ she said.
‘The shape and size of the workforce reflects that transition.’
