Health · Healthcare & Policy · 5 hrs ago
Saudi Ministry of Health Doctor Numbers Rose 78.1% From 2016 to 2024
Researchers found doctors in Saudi Ministry of Health facilities increased 78.1% from 2016 to 2024.
The study covered health facilities and services across the Kingdom’s 13 regions.
The number of doctors per 10,000 people rose 56.1%, showing that doctor numbers grew faster than the population.
Hospital beds increased 12.1%, nursing staff rose 20.5%, and the number of hospitals grew 5.8%.
Recorded hospital admissions climbed 60.4%, while outpatient clinic visits rose 15.6%.
These figures describe changes in staffing, facilities and service use, but do not prove that care quality or access improved.
The researchers said the findings can help with planning, and further research is needed to assess care quality and access.
The number of doctors in Saudi Ministry of Health facilities rose 78.1% from 2016 to 2024, a study by King Saud University researchers found.
The number of doctors per 10,000 people increased by 56.1% over the same period.
The study also reported increases in hospitals, beds, nursing staff and use of health services.
It analyzed eight indicators using the ministry’s annual statistical books and data from the kingdom’s 13 regions.
The researchers said the descriptive study does not establish the causes of the changes or prove improvements in care quality or access.
- Who
- Researchers Abdullah bin Salama and Nora Al-Amro of King Saud University conducted the study.
- What
- The study found that the number of doctors in Ministry of Health facilities rose 78.1% from 2016 to 2024.
- When
- The data covers 2016 to 2024. The study was published on September 16, 2026.
- Where
- Ministry of Health facilities across Saudi Arabia’s 13 regions.
- Why
- The study examined changes in health facilities, staffing and service use to help inform planning and follow-up priorities.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The researchers analyzed ministry data on health facilities, personnel and services across Saudi Arabia’s 13 regions.
The study was published in the journal Healthcare.
- Doctors in Ministry of Health facilities
- Increased 78.1% from 2016 to 2024
- Doctors per 10,000 people
- Increased 56.1% from 2016 to 2024
- Ministry of Health hospitals
- Increased 5.8% from 2016 to 2024
- Nursing staff
- Increased 20.5% from 2016 to 2024
- Outpatient clinic visits
- Increased 15.6% from 2016 to 2024
- Study coverage
- Eight indicators across Saudi Arabia’s 13 regions