Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital, is grappling with a shortage of hospital beds, according to a new report by Knight Frank. The consultancy revealed that the city’s hospital bed density is well below global norms, with only 1.7 beds per 1,000 people, compared to the global average of 2.9 beds.
This gap in hospital capacity is expected to worsen as Riyadh’s population continues to grow. The city is home to 27% of Saudi Arabia’s population, and projections estimate the number of residents will rise from 9 million in 2023 to 12.5 million by 2040.
The Ministry of Health currently operates 53% of Riyadh’s inpatient facilities, but demand is outpacing supply. By 2030, the western and southern zones of Riyadh will need between 2,000–3,500 new beds to meet the expanding population and rising healthcare needs.
In addition to this, the city has ambitious expansion plans, including 300,000 new homes, 4.6 million square meters of office space, and 28,800 hotel rooms by 2030, according to Knight Frank’s forecast. However, the shortfall in hospital beds could strain the healthcare system unless targeted interventions are made.
Private sector participation is expected to play a crucial role in addressing this shortage. About 51.8% of Riyadh’s residents have private health insurance, which is helping drive growth in private healthcare services. The government is also encouraging public-private partnerships (PPPs) to expand services, including projects for long-term care, home care, and primary care upgrades.
In line with this, Riyadh’s digital healthcare infrastructure is growing rapidly. The Seha Virtual Hospital, which links over 150 facilities, is now the world’s largest virtual healthcare provider, helping to alleviate some of the pressures on physical infrastructure.
As Riyadh grows into a more densely populated and economically significant city, the urgent need for expanded healthcare capacity will require coordinated action between the government, private sector, and healthcare providers to ensure that the city’s residents have access to the services they need.
