حققت السعودية إنجازات لافتة في المؤشرات الصحية والديموغرافية، مدفوعة بجهود متكاملة ضمن برنامج تحول القطاع الصحي ورؤية المملكة 2030.
وأظهرت بيانات الهيئة العامة للإحصاء والمجلس الصحي السعودي، تحسّناً شاملاً في معدلات الوفيات، واستقراراً في الخصوبة، وارتفاعاً في متوسط العمر المتوقع، إلى جانب تقدم ملحوظ في صحة المرأة والرعاية الإنجابية، ما يعكس نجاعة السياسات الصحية والاجتماعية المتبعة في المملكة.
ومن أبرز التحوّلات التي شهدتها المملكة الانخفاض الكبير في معدل الوفيات، الذي تراجع من 23.2 لكل 1000 شخص في 1950م إلى 3.5 فقط في 2015م، بانخفاض قدره 84.9% خلال 65 عاماً.
هذا الانخفاض لم يكن شكلياً بل شمل مختلف الفئات العمرية، إذ بيّنت بيانات تعداد 2010م، أن الفئة العمرية (80 سنة فأكثر) سجّلت معدل وفيات بلغ 168.5 لكل 1000 على المستوى الوطني، مع تفاوتات ملحوظة بين المناطق، حيث سجلت الجوف أعلى معدل بـ219.2، بينما كانت المدينة المنورة الأدنى بـ75.4 لكل 1000.
وتواصلت التحسينات حتى 2022م، إذ حافظت الفئات العمرية الصغيرة على معدلات وفيات منخفضة جداً، وبلغت 1.1 في فئة 0-4 سنوات، و0.2 لفئة 5-9 سنوات، و0.3 لفئة 10-14 سنة. كما استمرت الفئات الشبابية (15-44 سنة) في تسجيل نسب منخفضة نسبياً، حيث لم تتجاوز 1.7 لكل 1000 في أعلى فئة عمرية. أما الفئات المتوسطة (45-64 سنة) فقد أظهرت تراجعاً ملموساً، مثل فئة 45-49 التي سجلت 2.6 في 2022م، بعد أن كانت 3.0 في 2011م، وفئة 60-64 سنة التي هبطت إلى 12.3 مقابل 13.5 في ذات الفترة. وعلى مستوى كبار السن (65 سنة فأكثر) بلغ المعدل 47.2 في 2022 مقارنة بـ46.1 في 2011م.
تحسّن التغطية الصحية
ساهمت التغطية الصحية الواسعة في هذا التحسّن، إذ أظهرت بيانات 2024م، أن 98.8% من البالغين و91.1% من الأطفال يتمتعون بتغطية صحية عبر التأمين الحكومي أو الخاص، كما بلغ معدل زيارة البالغين لمقدّمي الرعاية الصحية خلال العام 2.6 زيارة للسعوديين، و1.2 لغير السعوديين، مع تفوق واضح للنساء بمتوسط 2.5 زيارة مقابل 1.6 للرجال. وأدى هذا التوسع في الرعاية إلى تقليل الوفيات المبكرة بنسبة 40% بحلول 2024م.
في جانب متوسط العمر المتوقع، ارتفع الرقم من 70.6 سنة في 2000م، إلى 76.4 سنة في 2021م، قبل أن يصل إلى 78.8 سنة في 2024م، في حين تستهدف المملكة بلوغ 80 سنة بحلول 2030م. ويُعزى هذا التقدّم إلى تطبيق سياسة «الصحة في جميع السياسات»، وتقليل المكونات الضارة في الأغذية مثل الزيوت المهدرجة والملح، وتفعيل الفحص المبكر للأمراض المزمنة، إلى جانب توطين تقنيات العلاج المتقدّمة مثل الخلايا المناعية، التي ساهمت في توفير 424.1 مليون ريال خلال 2024م.
وعلى صعيد الخصوبة، بلغ معدل الخصوبة الكلي للنساء السعوديات 2.7 مولود لكل امرأة في 2024م، وهو أعلى من معدل الإحلال السكاني العالمي البالغ 2.1، وإن كان أقل من 3.8 التي سُجلت في 2014م. وتشير البيانات إلى أن النسبة الأكبر من الولادات تتركز في الفئة العمرية 20-34 سنة.
صحة المرأة و«مؤشر الأمان»
أظهرت مؤشرات 2024م، أن 71.4% من الولادات كانت طبيعية، مقابل 28.1% قيصرية، كما أن 99.5% من النساء أجرين زيارة واحدة على الأقل لمقدم رعاية صحية قبل الولادة، بمتوسط 7.57 زيارة، فيما بلغت نسبة حضور الأخصائيين المهرة أثناء الولادة 99.6%. ووقعت 66.1% من الولادات في مستشفيات حكومية، و32.0% في خاصة، كما أرضعت 65% من الأمهات أطفالهن خلال الساعة الأولى، و53.2% خلال اليوم السابق للاستبيان. في حين وصلت نسبة تلبية احتياجات النساء من وسائل تنظيم الأسرة الحديثة إلى 56%، و74.9% منهن اتخذن قرار استخدام وسائل منع الحمل بشكل فردي أو بالاشتراك مع الزوج، بينما بلغت نسبة من يقررن بشأن الرعاية الصحية 89.8%.
في السياق الدولي، احتلت المملكة المرتبة الأولى عالمياً في مؤشر الأمان لعام 2023م، بنسبة 92.6% من السكان يشعرون بالأمان أثناء السير ليلاً، كما تفوقت على دول متقدّمة في التغطية الصحية الشاملة بنسبة 96% في 2024م، مقارنة بمتوسط عالمي يقارب 80%، حسب تقديرات منظمة الصحة العالمية. وفي منطقة الخليج، سجلت السعودية معدل خصوبة 2.7، مقابل 2.3 كمتوسط خليجي، وحافظت على معدل وفيات منخفض يبلغ 3.5 لكل 1000، مقارنة بـ8.6 المعدل العالمي.
المملكة تسجّل قفزات صحية وديموغرافية غير مسبوقة
انخفاض الوفيات ومتوسط عمر الإنسان السعودي يصل إلى 78.8 سنة
28 يوليو 2025 - 01:43
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آخر تحديث 28 يوليو 2025 - 01:43
ارتفاع معدل أعمار السعوديين. (متداولة)
تابع قناة عكاظ على الواتساب
محمد بن مفلح (الرياض) M_MUFLIHH@
Saudi Arabia has achieved remarkable accomplishments in health and demographic indicators, driven by integrated efforts within the Health Sector Transformation Program and the Kingdom's Vision 2030.
Data from the General Authority for Statistics and the Saudi Health Council showed a comprehensive improvement in mortality rates, stability in fertility, and an increase in life expectancy, along with significant progress in women's health and reproductive care, reflecting the effectiveness of health and social policies implemented in the Kingdom.
One of the most notable transformations witnessed in the Kingdom is the significant decline in the mortality rate, which decreased from 23.2 per 1,000 people in 1950 to just 3.5 in 2015, representing a reduction of 84.9% over 65 years.
This decline was not superficial but included various age groups, as data from the 2010 census indicated that the age group (80 years and older) recorded a mortality rate of 168.5 per 1,000 at the national level, with notable variations between regions, where Al-Jouf recorded the highest rate at 219.2, while Medina had the lowest at 75.4 per 1,000.
Improvements continued through 2022, as younger age groups maintained very low mortality rates, reaching 1.1 in the 0-4 years category, 0.2 in the 5-9 years category, and 0.3 in the 10-14 years category. The youth groups (15-44 years) also continued to record relatively low rates, not exceeding 1.7 per 1,000 in the highest age category. Meanwhile, the middle-aged groups (45-64 years) showed a noticeable decline, such as the 45-49 age group which recorded 2.6 in 2022, down from 3.0 in 2011, and the 60-64 age group which dropped to 12.3 compared to 13.5 during the same period. For the elderly (65 years and older), the rate was 47.2 in 2022 compared to 46.1 in 2011.
Improvement in Health Coverage
The extensive health coverage contributed to this improvement, as data from 2024 indicated that 98.8% of adults and 91.1% of children enjoy health coverage through government or private insurance. The rate of visits by adults to healthcare providers during the year was 2.6 visits for Saudis and 1.2 for non-Saudis, with a clear advantage for women averaging 2.5 visits compared to 1.6 for men. This expansion in care led to a 40% reduction in early deaths by 2024.
Regarding life expectancy, the figure rose from 70.6 years in 2000 to 76.4 years in 2021, before reaching 78.8 years in 2024, while the Kingdom aims to reach 80 years by 2030. This progress is attributed to the implementation of the "Health in All Policies" strategy, reducing harmful components in foods such as trans fats and salt, activating early screening for chronic diseases, and localizing advanced treatment technologies like immune cells, which contributed to saving 424.1 million riyals in 2024.
In terms of fertility, the total fertility rate for Saudi women reached 2.7 births per woman in 2024, which is higher than the global replacement fertility rate of 2.1, although it is lower than the 3.8 recorded in 2014. Data indicates that the majority of births are concentrated in the age group of 20-34 years.
Women's Health and the "Safety Index"
Indicators for 2024 showed that 71.4% of births were natural, compared to 28.1% cesarean, and 99.5% of women had at least one visit to a healthcare provider before childbirth, averaging 7.57 visits, while the percentage of skilled specialists present during childbirth was 99.6%. 66.1% of births occurred in government hospitals, and 32.0% in private ones, with 65% of mothers breastfeeding their children within the first hour and 53.2% within the day prior to the survey. The percentage of women meeting their needs for modern family planning methods reached 56%, and 74.9% of them made the decision to use contraceptives individually or jointly with their husbands, while the percentage of those deciding on healthcare was 89.8%.
On the international front, the Kingdom ranked first globally in the Safety Index for 2023, with 92.6% of the population feeling safe while walking at night. It also surpassed advanced countries in universal health coverage, achieving 96% in 2024, compared to a global average of around 80%, according to estimates from the World Health Organization. In the Gulf region, Saudi Arabia recorded a fertility rate of 2.7, compared to a Gulf average of 2.3, and maintained a low mortality rate of 3.5 per 1,000, compared to the global average of 8.6.
Data from the General Authority for Statistics and the Saudi Health Council showed a comprehensive improvement in mortality rates, stability in fertility, and an increase in life expectancy, along with significant progress in women's health and reproductive care, reflecting the effectiveness of health and social policies implemented in the Kingdom.
One of the most notable transformations witnessed in the Kingdom is the significant decline in the mortality rate, which decreased from 23.2 per 1,000 people in 1950 to just 3.5 in 2015, representing a reduction of 84.9% over 65 years.
This decline was not superficial but included various age groups, as data from the 2010 census indicated that the age group (80 years and older) recorded a mortality rate of 168.5 per 1,000 at the national level, with notable variations between regions, where Al-Jouf recorded the highest rate at 219.2, while Medina had the lowest at 75.4 per 1,000.
Improvements continued through 2022, as younger age groups maintained very low mortality rates, reaching 1.1 in the 0-4 years category, 0.2 in the 5-9 years category, and 0.3 in the 10-14 years category. The youth groups (15-44 years) also continued to record relatively low rates, not exceeding 1.7 per 1,000 in the highest age category. Meanwhile, the middle-aged groups (45-64 years) showed a noticeable decline, such as the 45-49 age group which recorded 2.6 in 2022, down from 3.0 in 2011, and the 60-64 age group which dropped to 12.3 compared to 13.5 during the same period. For the elderly (65 years and older), the rate was 47.2 in 2022 compared to 46.1 in 2011.
Improvement in Health Coverage
The extensive health coverage contributed to this improvement, as data from 2024 indicated that 98.8% of adults and 91.1% of children enjoy health coverage through government or private insurance. The rate of visits by adults to healthcare providers during the year was 2.6 visits for Saudis and 1.2 for non-Saudis, with a clear advantage for women averaging 2.5 visits compared to 1.6 for men. This expansion in care led to a 40% reduction in early deaths by 2024.
Regarding life expectancy, the figure rose from 70.6 years in 2000 to 76.4 years in 2021, before reaching 78.8 years in 2024, while the Kingdom aims to reach 80 years by 2030. This progress is attributed to the implementation of the "Health in All Policies" strategy, reducing harmful components in foods such as trans fats and salt, activating early screening for chronic diseases, and localizing advanced treatment technologies like immune cells, which contributed to saving 424.1 million riyals in 2024.
In terms of fertility, the total fertility rate for Saudi women reached 2.7 births per woman in 2024, which is higher than the global replacement fertility rate of 2.1, although it is lower than the 3.8 recorded in 2014. Data indicates that the majority of births are concentrated in the age group of 20-34 years.
Women's Health and the "Safety Index"
Indicators for 2024 showed that 71.4% of births were natural, compared to 28.1% cesarean, and 99.5% of women had at least one visit to a healthcare provider before childbirth, averaging 7.57 visits, while the percentage of skilled specialists present during childbirth was 99.6%. 66.1% of births occurred in government hospitals, and 32.0% in private ones, with 65% of mothers breastfeeding their children within the first hour and 53.2% within the day prior to the survey. The percentage of women meeting their needs for modern family planning methods reached 56%, and 74.9% of them made the decision to use contraceptives individually or jointly with their husbands, while the percentage of those deciding on healthcare was 89.8%.
On the international front, the Kingdom ranked first globally in the Safety Index for 2023, with 92.6% of the population feeling safe while walking at night. It also surpassed advanced countries in universal health coverage, achieving 96% in 2024, compared to a global average of around 80%, according to estimates from the World Health Organization. In the Gulf region, Saudi Arabia recorded a fertility rate of 2.7, compared to a Gulf average of 2.3, and maintained a low mortality rate of 3.5 per 1,000, compared to the global average of 8.6.