Saudi Arabia’s smart hospital market to triple by 2033 as Vision 2030 fuels digital healthcare boom

The sector is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 11.33 percent from 2025 to 2033, fuelled by national reforms, major government investment and accelerating adoption of digital health technologies.

Renub Research identifies Vision 2030 and the Health Sector Transformation Programme as the leading drivers reshaping the Kingdom’s healthcare landscape.

Strong government funding, regulatory backing and partnerships with global technology firms are pushing hospitals to adopt electronic health records, IoT-enabled devices, telemedicine platforms, AI-assisted diagnostics, robotic surgery and remote patient monitoring.

The nationwide rollout of 5G is strengthening the digital backbone required to support these innovations.

The report notes that Saudi Arabia’s smart-hospital push reflects a broader ambition to modernise healthcare delivery, improve patient outcomes and ease clinical workloads. New and upgraded hospitals are increasingly built around integrated digital systems, cloud-based workflows, automation tools and real-time data infrastructure.

Smart hospitals in Saudi Arabia

Sustainability is also a growing focus, with energy-efficient designs and resource optimisation embedded into next-generation hospital planning.

Technologies such as AI, IoT, robotics and remote monitoring are reshaping patient pathways from diagnosis to treatment and hospital operations. Telemedicine has surged, especially in remote areas, while mobile health apps now support patient scheduling, chronic illness management and health education.

Digital identity systems and centralised electronic health records are improving continuity of care and reducing administrative burdens.

Despite the rapid progress, the report highlights significant challenges. High implementation costs, ongoing maintenance and the need for sophisticated cyber-security remain key barriers. As hospitals digitise vast amounts of patient data, the exposure to cyber threats increases, underscoring the need for stronger standards, encryption and security protocols.

Renub Research also maps regional smart-hospital hubs, noting that Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam lead adoption due to concentrated investment and advanced infrastructure. In the Eastern Province, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare in Dhahran is pioneering robotic surgery and AI-powered imaging.

Riyadh’s King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre and the national Seha Virtual Hospital are positioning the capital as a global leader in next-generation digital care. Jeddah’s transformation is being driven by technology-forward providers including the International Medical Centre and hospitals adopting robotic procedures and smart room technology.

The report concludes that as Saudi Arabia accelerates its healthcare digitalisation agenda, smart hospitals will form the backbone of the Kingdom’s drive to become a regional leader in medical innovation, efficiency and patient-centred care.