GCC Achieves Universal Coverage of Essential Health Services for Young People
The Gulf Cooperation Council has reached complete coverage of fundamental health services for adolescents and young people, surpassing global benchmarks and reflecting an unwavering commitment to youth wellbeing across the region.
The Gulf Cooperation Council countries have attained comprehensive coverage of fundamental health services for adolescents and young people, achieving a remarkable milestone that exceeds global standards by a considerable margin. According to data released by the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf, the GCC has achieved 100 percent coverage of basic health services for this demographic, a figure that substantially outperforms the worldwide rate of 68 percent.
The region’s youth population constitutes a significant proportion of the community, with approximately 12.8 million adolescents and young people aged 10 to 24 residing across GCC nations in 2025. This cohort represents 20 percent of the total population throughout the region, underscoring the demographic importance of investing in comprehensive healthcare infrastructure and services designed to meet their distinctive needs.
Beyond the provision of healthcare services themselves, GCC countries have demonstrated their commitment through legislative frameworks and regulatory structures. The region has achieved 100 percent compliance with basic national regulations concerning adolescent and youth health, a figure that substantially exceeds the global compliance rate of 84 percent. This harmonious alignment of health service delivery with protective regulatory frameworks reflects the GCC’s sophisticated, multifaceted approach to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of its younger citizens.
The accomplishment underscores two principal pillars of the GCC’s youth health strategy. The first encompasses the provision of accessible, essential healthcare services tailored to the specific requirements of adolescents and young people. The second involves the establishment and implementation of comprehensive national regulations designed to protect their health, enhance equitable access to care, and create an environment conducive to the development of preventive health awareness and education.
To commemorate this dedication to youth health, GCC countries observe Gulf Adolescent and Youth Health Day on 30th September each year. This annual observance serves as a platform for highlighting the paramount importance of investing in the health and development of young people, strengthening preventive care initiatives, cultivating health awareness throughout communities, and advancing services that are thoughtfully designed to address the evolving needs of the region’s adolescent and young adult populations.
Source: WAM