GASTAT 2024: Nearly 96% of Residents Have Basic Healthcare Coverage

Around 95–96% of residents in Saudi Arabia had access to basic healthcare services in 2024, the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) reports. The new GASTAT 2024 Health and Safety at Workplace Statistics Bulletin reconfirms the Kingdom’s push toward near-universal healthcare: 100% of Saudi citizens were covered, while coverage for adults aged 15+ stood at about 94.8%. For expatriate adults, coverage was substantially improved as well—roughly 91% of expatriate adults had basic health coverage in 2024.

Why this matters for the expat community

For expatriates and their families, healthcare access and employer responsibilities are among the most important practical issues of living and working in Saudi Arabia. The GASTAT findings reflect policy and enforcement measures that require employers to register foreign workers for basic health insurance and sanction those who fail to comply. This matters if you are an expat worker negotiating contracts, moving family members to the Kingdom, or simply planning how to use health services.

Key figures at a glance

• Overall basic healthcare coverage: ~95.9% of residents in 2024.
• Adults (15+): 94.8% coverage.
• Citizens: 100% coverage.
• Expatriate adults: ~91% coverage.
• Occupational injury rates (15+): 245.7 non-fatal injuries and 1.1 fatal injuries per 100,000 workers (excludes road traffic accidents).
• Healthcare visits per year: average 1.9 visits per resident (Saudis 2.6 vs non‑Saudis 1.2).

Workplace safety: what the bulletin reports

The same GASTAT bulletin also analyzed occupational health and safety. Using a combination of household survey responses and registry data from national safety authorities, the report found:

• Training and safety infrastructure: 39% of workers received occupational health and safety training; 40.4% reported access to a dedicated health and safety management office; 32.2% had periodic medical check-ups arranged by employers.
• Exposure to hazards: 5.4% of workers operate dangerous machinery, 2.1% handle chemicals, and 1% are exposed to heavy metals—figures that underscore risk in sectors like construction, manufacturing and petrochemicals.
• Reported work-related health problems: stress (2.1%) and eye/vision issues (2%) were the most commonly reported problems in the past 12 months; 79.5% of workers said they experienced no work-related health problems during the same period.

What the injury rates mean

GASTAT calculated occupational injury rates using registry data from national safety authorities combined with population estimates. The reported 245.7 non-fatal injuries and 1.1 fatal injuries per 100,000 workers (excluding road accidents) provide an administrative view of workplace risks. While these numbers are lower than figures sometimes seen in other industrializing economies, they also highlight the need for continued enforcement of safety protocols and employer compliance—particularly in industries where machinery, chemicals and heavy metals are common.

Healthcare utilization and quality signals

Beyond coverage, the bulletin assessed how residents use services and how they rate them. Residents averaged 1.9 healthcare visits per year, with citizens accessing care more frequently than non‑Saudis. Dental care use rose as well, with 13.1% of residents seeing a dentist in the previous year and 55.6% rating that experience as excellent. These utilization patterns suggest both improved access and growing engagement with preventative and routine care.

Regulation and enforcement—what employers must know

Saudi labour regulations require employers to provide basic healthcare coverage for expatriate workers and their registered dependents. In 2024, enforcement stepped up: labour inspections increasingly verify insurance registration and workplaces are penalised for non-compliance. If you are an employer or an expat negotiating work terms, take note:

• Confirm that your employer has registered you with the required basic health insurance.
• Ask for documentation of any periodic health checks and workplace safety training.
• Report suspected violations to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD).

Practical tips for expatriates

• When signing an employment contract, ensure health insurance clauses are explicit—coverage should include basic care and mention whether family members are covered.
• Keep personal copies of your insurance card, employer registration, and any workplace safety training certificates.
• Seek clarity on out-of-pocket costs, referral processes and private care options—citizens and non-citizens may have different patterns of use.
• Use official channels such as the GASTAT website for verified statistics and the Vision 2030 portal for broader healthcare transformation context.

Why the data matters for community planning

Reliable statistics help expatriate community organizers, employers and service providers plan health services, mental health support, and occupational-safety programs. For example, the relatively low—but nonzero—rates of work-related stress and vision problems suggest targeted prevention (like mental health resources and eye protection policies) could yield visible improvements in wellbeing.

Data sources and methodology

GASTAT notes that coverage and service utilization figures are primarily based on national household survey responses collected during field visits (the 2024 National Health Survey). Occupational injury rates were then calculated using registry data from national occupational safety bodies combined with GASTAT population estimates. Self-reported workplace health and safety measures complement registry statistics to give a fuller picture of everyday risks.

Bottom line for Saudi expats

GASTAT’s 2024 bulletin confirms that Saudi Arabia has made significant strides toward universal basic healthcare coverage, and that progress extends to the expatriate workforce. While most workers now have access to basic care and many workplaces provide training and safety infrastructure, gaps remain—particularly around employer compliance and occupational risks in high-risk industries.

For expatriates: know your rights, check your employer’s insurance registration, and keep documentation. For employers: ensure compliance with MHRSD regulations and invest in training and safety programs—good practice protects workers and reduces costly injuries.

Useful links and resources

• General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) – official statistics and bulletin downloads
• Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) – labour regulations and reporting
• Vision 2030 – broader context for healthcare reforms and digital transformation

If you’re an expat in Saudi Arabia and have questions about coverage or workplace safety, this bulletin is a useful reference—paired with direct queries to your employer and the MHRSD if you suspect gaps in protection.