The nursing sector in Saudi Arabia has developed in conjunction with its international day
Coinciding with the celebration of International Nurses Day, the nursing sector in Saudi Arabia radical transformations and unprecedented achievements thanks to the initiatives of the Health Sector Transformation Program stemming from the Kingdom's Vision 2030. Encouraging the sons and daughters of the nation to work in this humanitarian field is one of the most important outcomes of these initiatives, which has directly contributed to doubling the number of national cadres from 40,000 nurses in 2015 to more than 106,000 nurses by 2024, working with high efficiency in the public and private sectors.
The roots of the profession and the development of the nursing sector in Saudi Arabia
International Nurses Day is celebrated annually on May 12th, commemorating the birth of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, and highlighting the pivotal role nurses play in saving lives. Historically, the nursing sector in Saudi Arabia has undergone remarkable development. From the very beginnings of the Kingdom's healthcare system, nursing care relied heavily on expatriate staff. Over the decades, the wise leadership recognized the importance of building a strong national foundation, leading to the establishment of health institutes and nursing colleges in various Saudi universities. This paved the way for a comprehensive renaissance, culminating in the launch of Vision 2030, which places human health and the localization of medical professions at the forefront of its priorities.
Objectives of the Health Transformation Initiative to Enhance National Talent
Government initiatives aim to increase the attractiveness of the nursing profession and encourage citizens to pursue it, while working to change negative societal stereotypes. This is achieved through reviewing and developing current policies and regulations, proposing necessary amendments, and establishing a comprehensive strategy for developing nursing practice. Efforts also include developing a media strategy that highlights the distinct rights of nursing professionals, creating an attractive work environment, and launching campaigns that support community engagement and awareness. The initiative's key objectives are:
- Raising the rates of workers in the clinical field, especially nursing, compared to population levels.
- Promoting localization in medical and nursing roles.
- Increasing nursing staff retention rates to ensure the sustainability of services.
The local and regional impact of the Saudi nursing renaissance
The increase in the number of nurses reflects the government's strong commitment to both the humanitarian and professional aspects of healthcare, emphasizing core values such as passion, compassion, and competence. Locally, this development contributes to improving the quality of healthcare services, reducing waiting times, and providing personalized care that respects patients' local cultures. Regionally and internationally, the Kingdom's success in empowering its nursing staff makes it a model to be emulated in the Middle East and reinforces its position as a leading destination for advanced healthcare, aligning with the World Health Organization's goals of achieving universal health coverage and providing qualified medical personnel capable of addressing global health crises.
Key statistics reflect the growth of nursing staff
The total number of nurses (Saudi and non-Saudi) in 2024 reached approximately 243,336. Females comprised the majority, with 179,177 nurses compared to 64,159 males. The Saudi nursing staff numbered 106,145 (59,118 Saudi female nurses and 47,027 Saudi male nurses), while the non-Saudi nursing staff numbered 137,191. Official statistics issued by the Ministry of Health revealed a clear female dominance in the nursing and midwifery sector, representing up to 76% of the total workforce. The annual statistical report also showed that Saudi nurses constituted 44% of the total workforce across all health sectors.
Nursing in the Ministry of Health and its geographical distribution
The Ministry of Health employs the largest share of nursing and midwifery staff at 51%. Within the Ministry's facilities, Saudis have a numerical advantage, constituting 66.5% of the total nursing workforce in 2024, with 72,323 Saudi nurses out of a total of 108,753. The report recorded a notable growth of 4.2% compared to 2023.
In terms of geographical distribution in Ministry of Health hospitals, the Riyadh region ranked first with 22,355 nurses, followed by the Eastern Province with 9,978, then Madinah with 8,015. The Holy Capital “Makkah” came in fourth with 6,866, while Al-Ahsa Governorate came in fifth with 6,823 nurses.
