Doctors: 1 per 654 people

Major causes of death: Diarrheal, respiratory, heart, metabolic, and parasitic diseases

Infant mortality has dropped and endemic disease has been nearly eradicted. Health care outside major centers such as Riyadh and Jiddah still remains relatively undeveloped, given Saudi Arabia's huge economic resources. However, large sums have been spent on employing Western expertise. Many Saudis are still sent overseas by the government for treatment, especially for transplant operations, which pose some ethical problems for religious leaders. The private sector has also been encouraged.

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004