16 April 2007
The Middle East's largest market of healthcare consumers will become increasingly open to private investment. Between now and 2016, the population of Saudi Arabia is expected to grow by more than 20 per cent, from 23 million to 30 million.
Over the same period, health expenditures are expected to increase dramatically. Demand for hospital beds is likely to grow from 51,000 to 70,000, demand for physicians is likely to rise from 40,000 to 54,000, and the number of hospitals is likely to rise from 364 to 502.
Saudis will become older. The percentage of the population over 60 is rising, and is expected to more than double by 2020.
By 2020, the number of old people is expected to grow from approximately one million (4 per cent of the population) to roughly 2.5 million (7 per cent of the population).
At the same time, as incomes increase, Saudis are likely to spend an increasing amount of money on healthcare treatments, such as leading-edge therapies.
“Saudi Arabia's healthcare system is ripe for investment opportunities,” said Ziad Fares, Booz Allen Hamilton Health Expert.
