Saudi Arabia: health and care

What is the maternal mortality rate in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia's maternal mortality ratio was 7 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023, according to the World Bank, using modelled estimates from the UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-agency Group. It was 9 in 2022 and 12 in 2021.

The ratio counts women who die from pregnancy-related causes during pregnancy or within 42 days of its end. The modelled estimates allow comparison across countries. GASTAT's Women Health and Reproductive Care Statistics 2025 found that 89.6% of mothers had at least four antenatal visits and 68.2% of births were in government hospitals.

Official sources: World Bank: maternal mortality ratio, Saudi Arabia · GASTAT: Women Health and Reproductive Care Statistics 2025

What is the infant mortality rate in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia's infant mortality rate was 4.7 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024, according to the World Bank, using estimates from the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. It was 4.8 in 2023 and 5.0 in 2022. The under-five mortality rate was 6.0 per 1,000 live births in 2024, the World Bank reports.

The infant rate counts babies who die before their first birthday; the under-five rate covers all deaths before age five. The estimates combine registration and survey data and are smoothed over time, so they change gradually from year to year.

Official sources: World Bank: infant mortality rate, Saudi Arabia · World Bank: under-five mortality rate, Saudi Arabia

What is the death rate in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia's crude death rate was 2.3 deaths per 1,000 people in 2024, according to the World Bank, using UN Population Division estimates. It was also 2.3 in 2023, and 2.6 in 2022.

The crude rate divides all deaths in a year by the population, so it is very low in a country with a young population and many working-age foreign residents. It does not mean that people of a given age are less likely to die than in other countries. Life expectancy is a better measure for comparing health across countries.

Official sources: World Bank: crude death rate, Saudi Arabia

What is the obesity rate in Saudi Arabia?

23.1% of adults aged 15 and over in Saudi Arabia are obese, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) Health Determinants Statistics 2024, based on the National Health Survey. A further 45.1% are overweight. Among children aged 2 to 14, 14.6% are obese and 33.3% overweight. Obesity rates were similar for men and women.

The figures are based on self-reported data. The World Bank, using WHO estimates, puts the share of adults who are overweight, including obese, at 71.8% in 2022.

Official sources: GASTAT: Health Determinants Statistics 2024 · World Bank: prevalence of overweight, adults, Saudi Arabia

How many people smoke in Saudi Arabia?

12.4% of adults aged 15 and over in Saudi Arabia smoke, including electronic cigarettes, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) Health Determinants Statistics 2024. 33.5% of adults were exposed to second-hand smoke, including 11.3% at home. Among smokers, the most common number of cigarettes a day was between two and five.

The figures come from the National Health Survey and are self-reported. 0.6% of adolescents aged 13 to 15 reported smoking any type of tobacco. National health policy is set by the Ministry of Health.

Official sources: GASTAT: Health Determinants Statistics 2024 · Ministry of Health

How much does Saudi Arabia spend on healthcare?

Saudi Arabia's current health spending was 5.7% of GDP in 2023, according to the World Bank, using WHO data, up from 5.3% in 2022. The country had 3.4 medical doctors per 1,000 people in 2023, the World Bank reports.

Current health spending includes government, insurance and household spending, but not investment in buildings and equipment. GASTAT's National Health Survey found that 98.3% of children under 15 had cover for basic healthcare costs, through the Ministry of Health, other government bodies or private insurance, and adults made three visits to a healthcare provider a year on average.

Official sources: World Bank: current health expenditure, Saudi Arabia · World Bank: physicians per 1,000 people, Saudi Arabia

What is the average life expectancy in Saudi Arabia?

According to the UN Population Division, life expectancy at birth in Saudi Arabia was 79.0 years in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 77.3 years; Saudi Arabia is 8th highest of 22. Worldwide: 45th of 193.

What is the infant mortality rate in Saudi Arabia?

The UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation puts the infant mortality rate in Saudi Arabia at 4.7 per 1,000 in 2024. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 11.2 per 1,000, and Saudi Arabia placed 19th highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 145th of 192.

What is the maternal mortality rate in Saudi Arabia?

The WHO puts the maternal mortality ratio in Saudi Arabia at 7.0 per 100,000 in 2023. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 19th highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 18.5 per 100,000. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 156th highest.

What is Saudi Arabia's health spending?

According to the WHO, current health spending in Saudi Arabia was 5.7% of GDP in 2023. Since 2005 it has ranged from 3.0% of GDP (2008) to 6.6% of GDP (2020). Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 5.6% of GDP, and Saudi Arabia placed 10th highest of 22. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 111th highest.

How much do people in Saudi Arabia pay for health care themselves?

The WHO puts out-of-pocket health spending in Saudi Arabia at 14.1% in 2023. Its high point since 2005 was 2008, at 19.4%; its low point was 2020, at 10.1%. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 32.7%, and Saudi Arabia placed 18th highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 145th of 191.

How many doctors per person does Saudi Arabia have?

In 2023, the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Saudi Arabia was 3.4 per 1,000, according to the WHO. The peak was 3.5 per 1,000 in 2022 and the low 1.9 per 1,000 in 2009. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 3.0 per 1,000; Saudi Arabia is 2nd highest of 7. Worldwide: 15th of 58.

What is hospital capacity in Saudi Arabia?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 2.4 per 1,000. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 2.6 per 1,000; its low point was 2011, at 2.2 per 1,000. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 1.2 per 1,000, and Saudi Arabia placed 2nd highest of 8. World rank, highest first: 42nd of 73.

How many children in Saudi Arabia are vaccinated against measles?

WHO and UNICEF puts measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Saudi Arabia at 96.0% in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 95.0% (2006) to 98.0% (2009). Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 96.0%; Saudi Arabia is 11th highest of 22. Worldwide: 46th of 191.