Saudi Arabia Health Spending
Current health expenditure as % of GDP SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS
Saudi Arabia's health spending was 5.45% in 2025, ranked 122nd globally. This represents a 4.1% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2000–2025.
Overview
Saudi Arabia's health spending stood at 5.45% in 2025, a decline of +0.24% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 5.45% by 2025. Saudi Arabia ranked 122nd globally.
Saudi Arabia's health spending has experienced significant fluctuations over the past quarter century, with a notable peak in 2020 at 6.65% of GDP and a trough in 2008 at 2.97%. The country's health spending has generally trended upward, with a recent decline to 5.45% in 2025, ranking it 122nd globally. This is slightly below the health spending levels of peer countries such as Iraq, which spent 5.49% of its GDP on healthcare in 2025. The country's health spending as a percentage of GDP has hovered above the 4.21% mark since 2000, indicating a sustained commitment to healthcare expenditure. A comparison with other countries reveals that Saudi Arabia's health spending is not significantly divergent from its regional peers. However, a decline in oil revenues and potential shifts in government priorities could alter the trajectory of Saudi Arabia's health spending trajectory, potentially leading to a further reduction in healthcare expenditure as a percentage of GDP.
Data & projection
| Year | Health Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 5.36% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 5.45% | - | - |
| 2025 | 5.45% | −0.24% | #122 |
| 2023 | 5.69% | +0.37% | #79 |
| 2022 | 5.31% | −0.62% | #72 |
| 2021 | 5.93% | −0.72% | #78 |
| 2020 | 6.65% | +1.18% | #95 |
| 2019 | 5.47% | +0.13% | #83 |
| 2018 | 5.34% | −0.69% | #84 |
| 2017 | 6.03% | −0.21% | #93 |
| 2016 | 6.24% | +0.38% | #97 |
| 2015 | 5.86% | +0.70% | #92 |
| 2014 | 5.16% | +0.74% | #78 |
| 2013 | 4.42% | +0.44% | #54 |
| 2012 | 3.99% | +0.31% | #46 |
| 2011 | 3.68% | +0.03% | #37 |
| 2010 | 3.65% | −0.64% | #36 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Saudi Arabia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2012. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw health spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Saudi Arabia's health spending was 5.45% in 2025. Ranked 122nd globally. This represents a 4.1% decrease from the previous year.
Saudi Arabia's health spending peaked at 6.65% in 2020.
The lowest health spending in Saudi Arabia was 2.97% in 2008.
Saudi Arabia ranks 122nd globally in health spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Saudi Arabia's health spending is projected to reach 5.45% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The health spending of Saudi Arabia in 2025 was 5.45%. This ranks 122nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_saudi-arabia_health-spending,
title = {Saudi Arabia Health Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/saudi-arabia/health-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}