Healthcare in Saudi Arabia - statistics & facts
Saudi Arabia spends the most on healthcare in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and the sector remains a major focus for the Saudi Arabian government. Saudi Arabia had the highest share of its gross domestic product (GDP) spent on healthcare compared to its region and one of the highest densities of medical professional per thousand residents. This was only achievable through intensively recruiting foreign physicians and nurses which resulted in the number of physicians of Saudi and non-Saudi nationalities being very comparable.
To meet the continuously rising demand, the government cooperated with the private sector to help pay for services, along with moving to an insurance-based structure. The Saudi government plans to promote private sector participation to reach 65 percent by 2030 under Vision 2030, with many hospitals and healthcare clinics targeted for privatization. Saudi Arabia will continue to expand its investment in preventing and treating diabetes and lifestyle disorders.
Furthermore, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health has taken measures towards developing its digital healthcare industry to improve healthcare efficiency, accessibility, and quality. For further information on the e-healthcare market and virtual hospitals in Saudi Arabia, check out our topic coverage on Digital healthcare in Saudi Arabia.
Healthcare accessibility in Saudi Arabia
The Ministry of Health (MoH) is the country's regulatory body for all healthcare activities and services. Nowadays, most of the hospitals in Saudi Arabia belong to the Ministry of Health. Saudi nationals and public workers have free access to Saudi Arabia's public healthcare system. Expatriates in Saudi Arabia must seek healthcare from private hospitals, clinics, and health facilities. Non-nationals have been required to obtain mandated health insurance since 2005, which should be provided by employers and was extended to Saudi private-sector employees in 2016. The country's insurance system is regulated by the Council for Cooperative Health Insurance (CCHI). They maintain that all private-sector employers must provide coverage for employees and their dependents. Despite this, many businesses do not provide it.Healthcare outlook
The rise in income, acceptance of contemporary diets, and a lack of physical activity have all contributed to the emergence of modern health disorders. In Saudi Arabia, noncommunicable diseases account for the bulk of mortality, with diabetes and obesity prevalent among the population. MoH plans to create health clusters nationwide to encourage preventative healthcare and increase accessibility. Targets also include raising the number of globally accredited hospitals, reducing smoking and obesity rates, and boosting digital healthcare technology. It was forecasted that smokers in Saudi Arabia would make up about 16 percent of the population by 2025.To meet the continuously rising demand, the government cooperated with the private sector to help pay for services, along with moving to an insurance-based structure. The Saudi government plans to promote private sector participation to reach 65 percent by 2030 under Vision 2030, with many hospitals and healthcare clinics targeted for privatization. Saudi Arabia will continue to expand its investment in preventing and treating diabetes and lifestyle disorders.
Furthermore, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health has taken measures towards developing its digital healthcare industry to improve healthcare efficiency, accessibility, and quality. For further information on the e-healthcare market and virtual hospitals in Saudi Arabia, check out our topic coverage on Digital healthcare in Saudi Arabia.
