Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has achieved international progress on the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Service Coverage Index, ranking 10th among G20 countries, according to the World Health Organization and World Bank report Tracking Universal Health Coverage: Global Monitoring Report 2025.

The report showed the Kingdom reached a score of 83 points, marking a notable increase of nine points over the past two years and placing Saudi Arabia among countries classified as having a high level of health coverage.

The result reflects the effectiveness of the Kingdom’s modern health model and the national health transformation underway.

The data underscores Saudi Arabia’s rising standing among advanced health systems globally and within the G20, driven by comprehensive reforms aimed at reshaping the healthcare sector as part of broader development policies.

The UHC index is a globally recognized indicator under Sustainable Development Goal 3.8 and is closely linked to quality of life, human development, disease burden reduction and overall social well-being. Improvements in the index also positively affect related indicators such as life expectancy, preventive care efficiency and workforce productivity.

The progress was attributed to a strategy focused on strengthening prevention and primary healthcare, expanding early screening programs, enhancing health facility readiness and accelerating digital transformation through platforms such as Sehhaty and the Seha Virtual Hospital. These measures have improved access to services, increased care efficiency and enhanced patient experience.

The reforms have translated into improved public health outcomes, with average life expectancy in Saudi Arabia rising from about 74 years in 2016 to nearly 79.7 years in 2025, approaching the Vision 2030 target of 80 years.

Health Minister Fahd Al-Jalajel said the achievement reflects the impact of Vision 2030 and the support of the Kingdom’s leadership.

He noted that advances in international health indicators demonstrate the tangible results of health transformation efforts focused on prevention, primary care empowerment, health digitization and service development across all regions.

Al-Jalajel added that the rise in life expectancy is the result of integrated efforts centered on improving quality of life and public health, pledging continued progress toward higher efficiency and sustainability while strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position among the world’s most advanced healthcare systems.