Muscat: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have made notable strides in public health indicators, moving steadily toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3 on “Good Health and Well-Being,” according to a recent report issued by GCC-STAT.
According to Qatar News Agency, the report highlighted that GCC nations exceeded several global health benchmarks. One key indicator is maternal mortality, with the region recording a maximum of just 17.1 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2022 – well below the global target of 70 by 2030. Additionally, more than 98 percent of births in all GCC countries were attended by skilled health personnel, surpassing the global average of 86.2 percent.
In terms of under-five mortality, the highest recorded rate in the GCC was 10.2 deaths per 1,000 live births – less than half the global target of 25 by 2030. The region also already achieved the neonatal mortality target of fewer than 12 deaths per 1,000 live births.
The report noted low HIV prevalence among both males and females, with the GCC average remaining below the global figure of 0.17 per 1,000 uninfected population. Tuberculosis incidence was also significantly lower than the global rate – 29.7 cases per 100,000 people compared to 360 worldwide. Malaria infections were nearly eradicated, with a peak of only 0.85 cases per 100,000, and some GCC countries reporting zero cases.
Suicide-related mortality rates were also relatively low, not exceeding 3.1 deaths per 100,000 people – far below the global average of 9.2. Deaths from road traffic accidents ranged between 3 and 14.1 per 100,000 across the GCC in 2022, undercutting the global average of 15.
Air pollution-related deaths in the GCC ranged from 16 to 45 per 100,000, well below the global rate of 93. Mortality from unsafe water and sanitation was minimal, as were deaths from unintentional poisoning, with the highest rate recorded at just 0.4 per 100,000 people (2021 data).
Tobacco use among individuals aged 15 and older ranged between 8 and 18.9 percent in GCC countries – nearing but still below the global average of 20.9 percent. Meanwhile, vaccination coverage under national immunization programs surpassed 97 percent in all GCC nations, nearing universal coverage above the global average of 84 percent.
Headquartered in Oman, GCC-STAT serves as the official source for data, statistics, and information relating to the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council.