Saudi Arabia Long Term Care Market Overview, 2031

Key Insights

• Saudi Arabia's long-term care market is undergoing a significant transformation driven by rapid demographic aging and the strategic imperatives of Vision 2030. The population aged 60 years and above reached approximately 1.7 million in 2025, representing 4.8% of the total population, with Saudis comprising 69% of this age group. The proportion of older adults is projected to increase from approximately 5% in 2015 to over 20% by 2050.
• The Ministry of Health has identified long-term care as a critical need under the Vision 2030 initiative. Despite having over 80,000 acute care hospital beds, the Kingdom lacks adequate long-term care and rehabilitation facilities, with an estimated gap of 15,000 to 25,000 beds. Data from the Ministry of Health indicates that approximately 14% of acute care beds in public hospitals are occupied by patients requiring long-term care, with this percentage rising to 19% in Jeddah and 17% in Riyadh.
• The Government of Saudi Arabia provides comprehensive care for the elderly through 12 social care homes across the Kingdom, covering health, social, and psychological aspects. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development offers an electronic registration service for long-term care in nursing homes for Saudi nationals aged 60 years and above who are unable to carry out their personal affairs.
• The Kingdom is investing significantly in elderly care infrastructure. A SAR30 million health resort project was signed in Unaizah in August 2025, offering hotel-like amenities, specialized medical clinics, and comprehensive social and psychological support. Additionally, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development is working on initiatives to establish 5 model oases for older persons and enable the non-profit sector to establish 13 specialized civil societies.
• Saudi Arabia's elderly care system shows a high level of life satisfaction, with approximately 91% of elderly Saudis expressing satisfaction with their lives. Male elderly citizens represent 57% of the elderly population, while females constitute 43%. Among elderly Saudis, 40.6% of men are self-reliant in performing daily tasks, while 40.9% of women rely on their children.

Market Outlook

• According to the research report, "Saudi Arabia Long Term Care Market Overview, 2031," published by Bonafide Research, the Saudi Arabia Long Term Care Market is anticipated to add to more than USD 390 Million by 2026–31. This growth is supported by accelerating demographic aging, the strategic imperatives of Vision 2030, and significant government investment in elderly care infrastructure and services.
• Saudi Arabia's demographic trajectory is a primary driver of long-term care demand. The elderly population is projected to grow from 1.7 million in 2025 to approximately 5 million by 2050. The number of Saudi nationals aged 65 and over is projected to more than double to 2.15 million by 2040. This demographic shift is driven by increasing life expectancy, declining fertility rates, and improvements in healthcare delivery, creating sustained demand for long-term care services across home healthcare, community care, and institutional settings.
• The demand for long-term care beds is expected to significantly outpace supply. According to Ministry of Health data, approximately 14% of acute care beds in public hospitals are occupied by long-stay patients requiring long-term care. The Kingdom currently faces an estimated gap of 15,000 to 25,000 long-term care and rehabilitation beds. Demand is projected to reach 12,000 long-term care beds by 2030.
• The home healthcare sector is experiencing robust growth, driven by the aging population and government initiatives to expand home-based care services. The Ministry of Health is implementing the home care program, which is designed to ensure continuous follow-up for elderly individuals within the family environment. The Ministry is working to enable elderly citizens to benefit from home care services, medical rehabilitation, regular follow-up, and psychological and social support.
• The Saudi government is actively strengthening the long-term care ecosystem through multiple initiatives aligned with Vision 2030. The National Health Strategy for the Elderly 2030 provides preventive, therapeutic, and rehabilitation services in collaboration with concerned bodies. The Kingdom is also advancing elderly care through the National Transformation Program and the Quality of Life Program under Vision 2030.

Market Dynamics

Driver: Accelerated Demographic Aging and Vision 2030 Alignment Saudi Arabia is undergoing a major demographic transition that is fundamentally reshaping the long-term care landscape. The population aged 60 years and above reached 1.7 million in 2025, representing 4.8% of the total population. This proportion is projected to increase from approximately 5% in 2015 to over 20% by 2050. The number of Saudi nationals aged 65 and over is projected to more than double to 2.15 million by 2040. This demographic shift is driven by increasing life expectancy, declining fertility rates, and improvements in healthcare delivery. The Ministry of Health has identified long-term care as a critical need under the Vision 2030 initiative. Vision 2030 places strong emphasis on enhancing the quality, accessibility and sustainability of healthcare services, with particular attention to preventive care and digital health transformation. The National Health Strategy for the Elderly 2030 provides preventive, therapeutic and rehabilitation services in collaboration with concerned bodies. This demographic transformation, combined with strong policy support, creates sustained demand for long-term care services across home healthcare, community care, and institutional settings.

Challenge: Significant Infrastructure Deficit and Workforce Shortages Saudi Arabia's long-term care market faces a critical infrastructure deficit that threatens the quality and accessibility of care services. Despite having over 80,000 acute care hospital beds, the Kingdom lacks adequate long-term care and rehabilitation facilities, with an estimated gap of 15,000 to 25,000 beds. Approximately 14% of acute care beds in public hospitals are occupied by patients requiring long-term care, with this percentage rising to 19% in Jeddah and 17% in Riyadh. The shortage of trained healthcare professionals specializing in geriatric and long-term care further compounds the infrastructure deficit. A systematic review of Saudi Arabia's elderly care landscape has identified persistent barriers including chronic disease burden and the need for urgent, strategic reforms focusing on structure, workforce, and cultural adaptation. While the Kingdom is implementing innovative solutions aligned with Vision 2030, including digital health transformation and integrated care models, the evidence base specific to aging in Saudi Arabia remains limited and fragmented. Without significant investment in infrastructure expansion, workforce recruitment, training, and professional development, Saudi Arabia's long-term care system will face increasing difficulty in meeting growing demand.

Trend: Government-Led Expansion of Long-Term Care Infrastructure and Home-Based Services A fundamental shift in long-term care delivery is occurring in Saudi Arabia, driven by government-led expansion of infrastructure and home-based services. The Ministry of Health is implementing the home care program to ensure continuous follow-up for elderly individuals within the family environment. The Ministry is enabling elderly citizens to benefit from home care services, medical rehabilitation, regular follow-up, and psychological and social support. The Government provides comprehensive care for the elderly through 12 social care homes across the Kingdom, covering health, social, and psychological aspects. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development offers an electronic registration service for long-term care in nursing homes. Investment in elderly care infrastructure is accelerating. A SAR30 million health resort project was signed in Unaizah in August 2025, offering hotel-like amenities, specialized medical clinics, and comprehensive social and psychological support. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development is working to establish 5 model oases for older persons designed to meet their needs and provide comprehensive healthcare services, physiotherapy, and recreational clubs, and enable the non-profit sector to establish 13 specialized civil societies for older persons. The Kingdom is also advancing elderly care through the National Transformation Program and the Quality of Life Program under Vision 2030. The convergence of government policy support, infrastructure investment, and private sector participation is creating the foundation for a more comprehensive long-term care ecosystem in Saudi Arabia.

Policies

• The Ministry of Health has adopted a National Health Strategy for the Elderly 2030 to provide preventive, therapeutic and rehabilitation services in collaboration with concerned bodies. The strategy aims to provide comprehensive, integrated, continuous, attainable and high-quality services at primary health care centers.
• The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development provides comprehensive care for the elderly through 12 social care homes across the Kingdom, covering health, social, and psychological aspects. The Ministry also extends financial and in-kind assistance to needy elderly persons through the Social Security Agency.
• The Government offers an electronic registration service for long-term care in nursing homes for Saudi nationals aged 60 years and above who are unable to carry out their personal affairs. The service is available through the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
• The Ministry of Health's home care program ensures continuous follow-up for elderly individuals within the family environment, enabling elderly citizens to benefit from home care services, medical rehabilitation, regular follow-up, and psychological and social support.
• The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development is working on initiatives to establish 5 model oases for older persons designed to meet their needs and provide comprehensive healthcare services, physiotherapy, and recreational clubs. The Ministry is also enabling the non-profit sector to establish 13 specialized civil societies for older persons.
• The Saudi Elderly Support Organization (WAQAR), a nonprofit entity dedicated to serving the elderly, supports the role of social care homes and provides specialized programs and services. The Kingdom also offers the Taqdeer service, launched by the Civil Affairs Agency, to facilitate distinguished services tailored to the needs of the elderly.
• The Quality of Life Program and the National Transformation Program under Vision 2030 include initiatives to improve elderly care services and enhance the quality of life for senior citizens.

Segment Analysis

Saudi Arabia Long-Term Care Market By Service Type • Home Healthcare: Home healthcare represents a growing segment in Saudi Arabia's long-term care market, driven by government initiatives and the preference for aging in place. The Ministry of Health's home care program ensures continuous follow-up for elderly individuals within the family environment. The Ministry enables elderly citizens to benefit from home care services, medical rehabilitation, regular follow-up, and psychological and social support. Home healthcare includes skilled nursing care, medical care, rehabilitation, physical therapy, nutritional services, respiratory care, and social services. The Ministry of Health launched the first Conference for Home Healthcare and Geriatric Medicine in 2022, reflecting the growing focus on home-based care. Demand for home healthcare is growing as the elderly population increases and government policies promote home-based care.
• Nursing Care / Skilled Nursing Facilities: The nursing facility sector in Saudi Arabia comprises social care homes providing 24-hour care, nursing supervision, and personal assistance for elderly individuals with high care needs. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development operates 12 social care homes across the Kingdom, providing comprehensive health, social, and psychological care. These homes provide government residential care, which includes social, medical and psychological care, and activities such as cultural, professional, recreational and sports activities. The sector faces significant capacity constraints, with an estimated gap of 15,000 to 25,000 long-term care and rehabilitation beds. Approximately 14% of acute care beds in public hospitals are occupied by patients requiring long-term care.
• Assisted Living Facilities: Assisted living is an emerging segment in Saudi Arabia's long-term care market. The Kingdom is investing in new models of elderly care facilities, including health resorts for seniors. A SAR30 million health resort project was signed in Unaizah in August 2025, offering hotel-like amenities, specialized medical clinics, and comprehensive social and psychological support. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development is working to establish 5 model oases for older persons designed to meet their needs and provide comprehensive healthcare services, physiotherapy, and recreational clubs. The retirement home service market is supported by government policies and initiatives.
• Hospice and Palliative Care: Hospice and palliative care services in Saudi Arabia are delivered across multiple settings, including homes, nursing homes, hospitals, and dedicated palliative care units. The Ministry of Health's elderly care program focuses on providing comprehensive, integrated, continuous, and high-quality services, including early detection of physical, mental and social problems common among the elderly. The growing prevalence of chronic conditions and the aging population are driving demand for end-of-life care services. The National Health Strategy for the Elderly 2030 includes rehabilitation services as part of its comprehensive approach.
• Other Services: This segment includes adult day care, community-based support services, and respite care. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development provides assistive devices such as wheelchairs, medical beds, and hearing aids. The Ministry also extends financial and in-kind assistance to needy elderly persons through the Social Security Agency. The Saudi Elderly Support Organization (WAQAR) provides specialized programs and services for the elderly. The need for these services is growing as families seek alternatives to full-time institutional care while maintaining caregiving responsibilities.

Saudi Arabia Long-Term Care Market By Payer Type • Public: Public sources are the dominant payer for long-term care services in Saudi Arabia, primarily through the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, and government-funded programs. The Government provides comprehensive care for the elderly through 12 social care homes across the Kingdom. The Ministry extends financial and in-kind assistance to needy elderly persons through the Social Security Agency. The Ministry of Health's home care program provides services to elderly citizens. Public payers represent both the largest payer segment and the foundation of Saudi Arabia's long-term care financing system.
• Private: Private sources account for a growing portion of long-term care spending in Saudi Arabia. Private sector involvement in elderly care is being encouraged under Vision 2030, with the Ministry of Health encouraging private sector participation in expanding healthcare access. The SAR30 million health resort project in Unaizah is a public-private partnership between the Association of Al-Wafa Oasis for Elderly Support and the SMW Najd Investment Company. Private health insurance provides supplementary coverage for some elderly care services. Private assisted living facilities operate predominantly on a private-pay model.
• Out-of-Pocket: Out-of-pocket payments represent a significant component of long-term care spending in Saudi Arabia. Families bear a significant financial burden for elderly care services not covered by public programs. The Government provides financial and in-kind assistance to needy elderly persons through the Social Security Agency. The economic burden on families is expected to increase as care costs rise and the population continues to age. Government initiatives such as the electronic registration service for nursing homes provide access to government residential care for those who qualify.

Saudi Arabia Long-Term Care Market By Gender • Male residents account for a larger share of Saudi Arabia's elderly population, with males representing 57% of the elderly population compared to 43% for females. Among elderly Saudis, 40.6% of men are self-reliant in performing their daily tasks, while 30.9% rely on their children and 25.8% on their spouses. Male elderly citizens show higher rates of active social participation at 63.4% compared to 57.3% for females. Digital integration is also higher among men, with 86.9% using a smartphone or computer compared to 78.0% of women.
• Female residents account for a smaller but significant share of Saudi Arabia's elderly population. Among elderly Saudi women, 40.9% rely on their children, 36.5% are self-reliant, and 5.7% rely on their husbands. The Government provides comprehensive care for both male and female elderly citizens through social care homes and support programs. The electronic registration service for nursing homes is available to all Saudi nationals aged 60 years and above, regardless of gender. As male life expectancy increases and the population ages, the representation of women in the older adult cohort is gradually growing.

Saudi Arabia Long-Term Care Market Economics

• The cost of long-term care services varies significantly by service type, geographic location, and facility type. The Government provides comprehensive care for the elderly through 12 social care homes across the Kingdom. The Ministry extends financial and in-kind assistance to needy elderly persons through the Social Security Agency. The SAR30 million health resort project in Unaizah represents a significant investment in elderly care infrastructure.
• Public financing of long-term care is substantial and growing. The Ministry of Health has adopted the National Health Strategy for the Elderly 2030. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development provides financial and in-kind assistance to needy elderly persons. The Government is investing in elderly care infrastructure through multiple initiatives aligned with Vision 2030.
• Staffing costs represent a significant operating expense for all long-term care providers. The sector faces workforce challenges, with a shortage of trained healthcare professionals specializing in geriatric and long-term care. The Ministry of Health's Elderly Care Program has trained 4,185 trainees since 1431 H in the National Protocol of Elderly Healthcare. The Ministry organized a workshop for coordinators of the Elderly Care Program in the regions.
• The economic value of the silver economy is significant and growing in Saudi Arabia. The senior living market is attracting investment as the population ages and demand for care services increases. The Kingdom's strategic location and high-quality healthcare infrastructure make it an attractive destination for healthcare investment. The Vision 2030 initiative is driving economic diversification and social reform, with particular attention to healthcare services.


Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2020
• Base year: 2025
• Estimated year: 2026
• Forecast year: 2031

Aspects covered in this report
• Long-term care Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Service Type
• Home Healthcare
• Nursing Care / Skilled Nursing Facilities: 
• Assisted Living Facilities
• Hospice & Palliative Care:
• Other Services

By Payer Type
• Public
• Private
• Out-of-Pocket

By Gender
• Male
• Female