Life Expectancy in Saudi Arabia Rises to 79.9 Years

Coinciding with World Health Day on April 7, the Health Sector Transformation Program announced significant achievements in the Kingdom’s healthcare system, most notably the rise in life expectancy from 74 years in 2016 to 79.9 years by the end of 2025—bringing the Kingdom within reach of its Vision 2030 target of 80 years.

 This remarkable progress is attributed to the rapid expansion of clinical trials, which grew by 51.4% between 2023 and 2025, alongside a 48% reduction in the average time to initiate trials. These advances have accelerated the development of innovative treatments and maximized the impact of scientific research.

 The research environment has also strengthened, with a 36% increase in companies sponsoring clinical trials and the number of trial sites reaching 13. This reflects the Kingdom’s growing ability to attract high-quality investment and forge strong scientific partnerships both locally and internationally.

 CEO of the Health Sector Transformation Program Dr. Khalid Al Shaibani said this rapid expansion of clinical trials underscores the Kingdom’s emergence as a regional hub for health innovation. He noted that investment in science and research is yielding tangible improvements in human health, enhancing quality of life, and advancing the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals for the health sector.