According to the Ventures Middle East Onsite report, entitled GCC Healthcare Construction Market Outlook, around US$5.9 billion in contracts were awarded in 2014, but that figure is set to rise to US$7.3 billion in 2015, as population growth, higher per capita income, and life expectancy drive demand for healthcare services.
Populations across the GCC are increasing in number, disposable income, and lifestyle and what this latest report demonstrates is that higher birth rates and life expectancies are creating demand for hospitals, health centers, and maternal, child, and elderly care services.
The healthcare industry in Saudi Arabia is projected to remain the largest in the region, and register a CAGR of 9.2 percent from 2015 to 2020. Compound annual growth of 7 percent will see UAE join Qatar in registering the fastest growth as both countries seek to capitalize on an emerging medical tourism industry in the region.
According to the report, the UAE is building more than 20 hospitals to care for the half a million medical tourists that are expected by 2020, with medical revenues to hit US$300 million by 2016. At the same time, the report states that Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait are also expected to register a significant rise in project completions in 2015.
Close to 70 mega-hospital projects are under construction, each of which are valued at over US$100 million, and there are a further 280 smaller hospital projects mentioned in the report as being under construction.
Ventures Middle East
29 October
