The healthcare sector across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is witnessing significant expansion, reflecting the scale of government investment and the steady development of health infrastructure in recent years.
According to statistics issued by the GCC Statistical Centre, there has been clear growth in healthcare facilities and services provided to all segments of society. By the end of 2024, the total number of hospitals across GCC countries had reached approximately 882 — an increase of 176 hospitals between 2014 and 2024 — driven by both public and private sector investments.
The report indicates that the total number of hospital beds reached 127,600, with government hospitals accounting for 73 per cent of this capacity. In addition, the number of government health centres and clinics stood at around 3,400 facilities in 2023, reflecting the continued expansion of primary and specialised healthcare services and their geographical spread to meet population needs.
Hospital bed capacity has also recorded notable growth. The number of beds rose to 124,900 in 2022, compared with 111,200 in 2018, representing an average annual growth rate of 2.4 per cent.
Healthcare workforce development remains a cornerstone of sustainable health systems. Nursing staff constitute the largest segment of the workforce at 39.3 per cent, with 57.5 per cent of healthcare professionals employed in government facilities. The private sector has recorded higher growth rates in the number of physicians, nurses and pharmacists compared with the public sector, while GCC countries have surpassed global averages in healthcare personnel per 10,000 population.
The total healthcare workforce reached approximately 1.05 million professionals, growing at an annual rate of 6.8 per cent. Between 2019 and 2024, the number of physicians stood at around 203,100, while pharmacists numbered approximately 78,700. Nursing staff represented the largest category, with about 411,900 professionals.
Private hospitals accounted for 42 per cent of the total number of hospitals and have expanded at a faster pace than public hospitals. The average number of beds reached 20.8 per 10,000 people — exceeding the global average — with private hospital bed capacity increasing more rapidly than that of government facilities.
Key indicators also show rising numbers of outpatient visits, surgical procedures, diagnostic tests and inpatient admissions, underscoring growing demand for healthcare services and improved accessibility across the region.
Expansion in hospitals and healthcare facilities continues across most GCC countries, with some states recording the highest annual growth rates in bed capacity. At the same time, the digital health sector is experiencing rapid development, driven by the adoption of advanced technologies such as electronic health records, telemedicine, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, wearable devices and the Internet of Medical Things. These innovations are enhancing service efficiency, improving quality of care and strengthening emergency response capabilities.
Market forecasts suggest that the digital health sector will continue to grow, with revenues expected to reach US$1.83 billion in 2025. Total healthcare expenditure across GCC countries is projected to rise to US$159 billion by 2029, representing a compound annual growth rate of 7.8 per cent.
Healthcare policies in GCC countries align with long-term national visions, focusing on financial sustainability, improving service quality and efficiency, strengthening public–private partnerships, localising healthcare talent, advancing digital transformation and fostering health innovation.
International indicators also point to tangible progress in social advancement, global prosperity, human development and life expectancy at birth across the GCC region.
Taken together, these developments reflect the comprehensive evolution of the Gulf healthcare ecosystem — in infrastructure, human capital and service delivery — enhancing the capacity of health systems to meet population growth and future challenges, while reaffirming healthcare investment as a central pillar of sustainable development in GCC countries.
