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The Gulf is regulating longevity before anyone else

Abu Dhabi licensed the world's first longevity medicine centres. Dubai created a longevity regulator by law. Riyadh funds the largest healthspan research programme on earth, including SAR6.5m in grants to 13 Saudi researchers.

Aesthetics, wellness and preventive health are tracked here as part of the biotechnology economy, because in the Gulf that is what they have become: a licensed clinical category with its own regulators and its own capital, and with manufacturing as the next frontier.

An empty cycle track running straight across the desert towards a hazy sunrise
Sunrise on the Al Qudra cycle track, Dubai, October 2023. Dubai created a longevity regulator by law in 2026.Photo: Iamfinehere, CC0
Organisations tracked5Clinics, funders, platforms and manufacturers in the tracker for this market lens.
Binding nutrition rules11Binding food and nutrition instruments, with voluntary standards and guidance listed separately.
Licensed longevity centres2Licensed by the Department of Health Abu Dhabi

Where each Gulf state is heading on healthy living

Updated 18 October 2026

All six Gulf states are steering their food systems toward healthier living, through limits on salt, sugar and trans fats, excise on sugary and energy drinks, and national prevention strategies. Here is the direction each is taking, with every measure linked to its source.

Saudi Arabia

Reformulating the national diet through regulation

Saudi Arabia is turning its 2018 Healthy Food Strategy into binding rules across the food chain. Salt in bread is capped, partially hydrogenated oils are prohibited, and menus now show calories, a salt icon and the activity needed to burn a meal off. Physical activity is rising too, with adults beating the 2025 Quality of Life Program target.

Strategy · 2018
SFDA Healthy Food Strategy targets lower sugar, salt, saturated fat and trans fat, backed by voluntary reformulation commitments from nine food companies.Saudi Food and Drug Authority · second document, 2025
In force · 2019
Salt in bread capped at 1g per 100g under SFDA.FD 2362/2018, with manufacturers and importers required to comply by 30 April 2019.Saudi Food and Drug Authority
In force · 2020
Partially hydrogenated oils prohibited in all food made or imported for sale, with trans fat elimination validated by WHO in 2024.Saudi Food and Drug Authority · World Health Organization
In force · 2025
Physical, digital and delivery-platform menus must show nutrition information, a saltshaker icon for high-sodium meals, caffeine content and the activity time needed to burn off calories.Saudi Food and Drug Authority · second document, 2025
In force · 2017
Excise of 50 per cent on carbonated drinks and 100 per cent on energy drinks from 2017, later extended at 50 per cent to other sugar-sweetened beverages.F1000Research
Strategy · 2025
Quality of Life Program: 59.1 per cent of adults met 150 weekly minutes of activity in 2025, ahead of a 55 per cent target.Riyadh Daily

Watch. Rules on food advertising and health claims built on the SFDA Food Classification Model released on 30 September 2026.ChemLinked

UAE

Pairing food system reform with pioneering longevity regulation

The UAE moved from strategy to enforceable limits in 2026. A sugar tax priced on sugar density took effect in January, the Cabinet approved the National Healthy Nutrition Strategy 2031 in March, and MoHAP began phased caps on salt, sugar and fat in everyday packaged foods in October. Alongside this, Abu Dhabi licenses longevity medicine centres and Dubai's Longevity Authority has moved into implementation.

Strategy · 2026
National Healthy Nutrition Strategy 2031 approved by the Cabinet, with 16 initiatives including a ban on partially hydrogenated oils, rules on marketing unhealthy food and a national nutrition monitoring system.Dubai Media Office · FoodNavigator
In force · 2026
Two-phase caps on sodium, total sugars and bread fat across ten packaged food categories, among them bread, sweetened milk drinks, flavoured yoghurt and laban, salty snacks and processed cheese, with final limits by 31 December 2030 and fines of AED 5,000 to AED 500,000.UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention via Zawya · The National
In force · 2026
Excise on sweetened drinks priced on sugar per 100ml: below 5g exempt, 5g to below 8g at AED 0.79 per litre, and 8g and above at AED 1.09 per litre.United Arab Emirates Ministry of Finance
Announced · 2026
National Guide for Food and Beverages in the School Environment excludes sugary drinks, fried foods, confectionery and processed meats across public, private and vocational schools.Gulf News
In force · 2024
Department of Health Abu Dhabi licensing framework for Healthy Longevity Medicine Centres, a first for the category.Abu Dhabi Media Office
Strategy · 2026
Dubai Longevity Authority, created by Law No. 17 of 2026, had its strategy and budget approved in September 2026, with activity-based licensing and a supervised Minimum Viable Product programme.Emirates 24|7 (WAM) · Gulf News

Watch. First-phase salt and sugar caps for bread, dairy drinks and snacks, due nine months after the MoHAP resolution takes effect.UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention via Zawya

Qatar

Putting prevention at the heart of a longer, healthier life

Qatar is steering its health system toward prevention, with goals of 82.6 years' life expectancy and a 36 per cent cut in deaths from noncommunicable disease. A 2024 to 2030 action plan on obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular risk sets out 58 projects, and 2025 dietary guidelines for mothers and young children start healthy habits early. A drinks excise and calorie counts on chain menus are already in place.

Strategy · 2024
National Health Strategy 2024 to 2030 targets life expectancy of 82.6 years and a 36 per cent reduction in noncommunicable disease mortality.Qatar Government Communications Office
Strategy · 2024
National Action Plan on Obesity, Diabetes and Modifiable Risk Factors for ASCVD, 2024 to 2030, with 58 projects across prevention, management and public empowerment.Qatar Tribune
Strategy · 2025
Qatar Dietary Guidelines for Mother and Child (0 to 5 years), launched by the Ministry of Public Health.The Peninsula
In force · 2019
Excise of 50 per cent on carbonated drinks and 100 per cent on energy drinks from the beginning of 2019.F1000Research
In force · 2018
Franchised restaurant and cafe chains must display the calorie count of meals and beverages, mandatory from 10 December 2018.Qatar Tribune
Strategy · 2017
National Nutrition and Physical Activity Action Plan commits to saturated fat below 10 per cent and trans fat below 1 per cent of calories, and a 30 per cent relative cut in salt intake.Qatar Ministry of Public Health

Watch. Delivery of the 58 action plan projects toward the 2030 goal of a 36 per cent cut in noncommunicable disease deaths.Qatar Tribune

Bahrain

Building healthy habits from the bakery to the classroom

Bahrain anchors its healthy food policy in practical, population-wide measures. A 2018 resolution cuts salt in bread step by step, school canteens exclude sugary and energy drinks, and mandatory flour fortification has lowered anaemia in women of reproductive age. Next come an accelerated obesity plan, discussed at a Ministry of Health symposium in July 2026, and menu calorie labelling, approved in 2018 and now back on the agenda.

In force · 2018
Resolution No. 28 of 2018 requires a 20 per cent annual cut in salt in traditional Arab breads over five years, toward 0.5 per cent salt.World Obesity Federation, Global Obesity Observatory · FoodNavigator
In force · 2017
Excise of 50 per cent on soft drinks and 100 per cent on energy drinks.F1000Research · World Obesity Federation, Global Obesity Observatory
In force · 2016
Mandatory school canteen list limits drinks to unsweetened 100 per cent juice, water and milk drinks, and excludes soft drinks, energy drinks, processed meat and confectionery.World Obesity Federation, Global Obesity Observatory
In force
Mandatory flour fortification, with anaemia in women of reproductive age falling from 51.3 to 35.4 per cent over 18 years.World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office
Strategy · 2019
National Action Plan for the control and prevention of noncommunicable diseases, 2019 to 2030.World Obesity Federation, Global Obesity Observatory
Announced · 2018
Menu calorie labelling, approved in 2018, with a renewed parliamentary and municipal push for enforcement in 2026.Gulf Daily News

Watch. A ministerial directive bringing menu calorie labelling into force, and publication of the accelerated obesity plan.Gulf Daily News · second document, 2026

Kuwait

Protecting young people and cutting salt at the source

Kuwait is acting decisively on energy drinks and has a long-running programme to cut salt in bread. Ministerial Decision No. 29 of 2026 ends sales to under-18s, caps caffeine and takes energy drinks out of schools, sports clubs, restaurants and delivery apps. Clinical nutrition is a priority too, with a bilingual diabetes nutrition guide launched by the Health Minister in July 2026.

In force · 2026
Ministerial Decision No. 29 of 2026 bans energy drink sales to under-18s, caps caffeine at 80mg per 250ml, requires warning labels, bans advertising, and limits sales to cooperative societies and parallel markets.Al Jarida · Kuwait Times
In force
Salt reduced in the most popular bread through the Ministry of Health's Salt and Fat Intake Reduction Task Force and the main national bakery, with a gradual 30 per cent reduction reported.Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations · FoodNavigator
In force
Trans fat capped under GSO 2483/2015 at 2 per cent of fat in oils and spreads and 5 per cent in other foods, with mandatory declaration on labels.GCC Standardization Organization · Kuwait Ministry of Health, via WHO NCD document repository
Strategy · 2012
Action Plan for saturated fat reduction and trans fat elimination, with national fat reduction targets for dairy, meat and bakery products and healthier hospital menus.Kuwait Ministry of Health, via WHO NCD document repository
Strategy · 2026
2026 Diabetes Nutrition Guide, 'Live Safely', in Arabic and English, launched by Health Minister Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi.EMPHNET EpiNews

Watch. Implementation of the GCC excise on carbonated and energy drinks, which Fitch expects in the fiscal year ending March 2027.AGBI

Oman

Earning WHO recognition for a cleaner food supply

Oman is one of nine countries validated by WHO for eliminating industrially produced trans fats, receiving its certificate at the World Health Assembly in May 2025. Its National Nutrition Strategy works with industry to reformulate sweetened drinks, building on salt cuts in bread and an excise on sugary and energy drinks. Mandatory flour fortification has sharply reduced spina bifida.

In force · 2025
WHO validation of Oman's trans fat elimination policies, presented at the 78th World Health Assembly.World Health Organization · Times of Oman
In force · 2019
Excise of 50 per cent on soft drinks and 100 per cent on energy drinks from June 2019, extended at 50 per cent to sweetened beverages from 1 October 2020.Oman Daily · Gulf News
In force · 2015
Salt in bread from main bakeries cut by 10 per cent from 2015, with a 20 per cent target set from 2016.World Health Organization
Strategy · 2022
National Nutrition Strategy plan to set sugar-level standards for locally produced sweetened drinks, agreed with industry and WHO.Oman Daily
Strategy · 2021
National Nutrition Campaign for salt, sugar and fat reduction, with product reformulation alongside WHO, FAO and industry partners.Oman Ministry of Health
In force
Mandatory flour fortification, with spina bifida incidence falling from between 2.34 and 4.03 to 0.29 per 1,000 deliveries.World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office

Watch. Published sugar-level standards for locally produced sweetened drinks under the National Nutrition Strategy.Oman Daily

Food, wellness and longevity updates

The Wire

The latest Wire items on longevity, aesthetics, wellness, nutrition and food regulation, newest first.

A7i finding

Dietary fats and oils: where Gulf policy stands

Gulf regulation targets industrially produced trans fats. Saudi Arabia has prohibited partially hydrogenated oils since 2020 and was validated by WHO for trans fat elimination in 2024, and Oman received the same validation in May 2025. The UAE's National Healthy Nutrition Strategy 2031 includes a ban on partially hydrogenated oils, and GSO standards cap trans fats across the GCC. Official dietary guidance in Saudi Arabia and the UAE recommends unsaturated vegetable oils such as olive, canola and sunflower, and encourages fish, with the SFDA highlighting fatty fish for omega-3. The seed oil debate is active among Gulf consumers and in global policy. The January 2026 Dietary Guidelines for Americans put olive oil first, list butter or beef tallow as other options, and keep saturated fat at 10 per cent of calories or less.

Why it matters. The region's direction is clear and consistent: eliminate industrially produced trans fats, reformulate for less salt, sugar and fat, and encourage omega-3 through fish. Brands, clinics and food makers that build their regional propositions around these priorities align with regulators across the Gulf, from the UAE's new caps on salt, sugar and fat in packaged foods to Saudi Arabia's reformulation commitments with industry.

The evidence

  1. Saudi Arabia prohibits partially hydrogenated oils and holds WHO validation

    SFDA.FD 2483 prohibits partially hydrogenated oils in all food manufactured or imported into Saudi Arabia, effective January 2020. WHO validated Saudi Arabia for eliminating industrially produced trans fats in January 2024, among the first five jurisdictions worldwide.

    Saudi Food and Drug Authority · World Health Organization

  2. Oman joined Saudi Arabia in WHO validation in May 2025

    WHO recognised Oman's trans fat elimination policies alongside Austria, Norway and Singapore, bringing the number of validated countries to nine. Oman's Health Minister received the certificate at the 78th World Health Assembly.

    World Health Organization · Times of Oman

  3. The UAE is adding a ban on partially hydrogenated oils

    The UAE Cabinet approved the National Healthy Nutrition Strategy 2031 on 29 March 2026. Its 16 initiatives include a ban on partially hydrogenated oils, rules on marketing unhealthy food and a national nutrition monitoring system.

    Dubai Media Office · FoodNavigator

  4. GCC standards cap trans fats and set the specification for named vegetable oils

    GSO 2483/2015 caps trans fatty acids at 2 per cent of total fat in vegetable oils and soft spreadable margarines and 5 per cent in all other foods, across the GCC. GSO 1754-1:2025, approved 30 April 2025, sets composition, quality and safety specifications for named edible vegetable oils, including sunflower, rapeseed, soybean and maize.

    GCC Standardization Organization · second document, 2025

  5. Saudi and UAE dietary guidance recommends unsaturated oils and fish

    The SFDA's Saudi Healthy Plate guide recommends unsaturated oils such as olive, canola and sunflower seed oil for cooking in place of butter and ghee, and fatty fish such as salmon, tuna and sardines for omega-3. The SFDA published an awareness item on recommended omega-3 intake in March 2025. The UAE's National Nutrition Guidelines list canola, corn, olive, safflower, soy and sunflower oils as healthy unsaturated fats and recommend seafood twice a week.

    Saudi Food and Drug Authority · UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention · second document, 2025

  6. The seed oil conversation is active in Gulf media

    Coverage in The National in the UAE (September 2026) and Okaz in Saudi Arabia (May 2025) presents seed oils as a live consumer and scientific discussion.

    The National · Okaz

  7. US guidance released in January 2026 puts olive oil first

    The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030, released on 7 January 2026, advise prioritising oils with essential fatty acids such as olive oil when cooking, name butter or beef tallow as other options, and keep saturated fat at no more than 10 per cent of daily calories.

    US Department of Health and Human Services and US Department of Agriculture · ADA News

Checked 18 October 2026.

Longevity, aesthetics and preventive health organisations

Clinics, funders, platforms and manufacturers, with emerging signals marked and counted separately from the totals above.

Data table
Longevity, aesthetics and preventive health organisations
OrganisationMarketTypeStageSource
Zulal Wellness ResortWellness programming combining traditional Arabic and Islamic medicine with conventional wellness practiceNext milestone: Clinical or research programming alongside hospitality wellnessQatarPreventive and wellness servicesLongevity clinicOperated by Chiva-SomCommercialHospitality Net
Hevolution FoundationGrant-making and impact investment in geroscience, ageing biology and healthspan therapeuticsNext milestone: A first Gulf-domiciled portfolio company, or a grant to a Gulf institution at portfolio scaleSaudi ArabiaLongevity and healthspanResearch funderSaudi non-profit, established by royal orderCommercialHevolution Foundation
KayaneeWomen's wellness, fitness and nutrition retail and servicesNext milestone: Own-brand formulation or manufactureSaudi ArabiaPreventive and wellness servicesHealthcare or laboratory operatorPublic Investment FundCommercialPublic Investment Fund
Institute for Healthier Living Abu DhabiPersonalised longevity medicine addressing ageing processes and chronic disease prevention across lifestyle, therapeutics, mental wellbeing and environmental factorsNext milestone: Published outcome data, a first for any longevity clinicUAELongevity and healthspanLongevity clinicCommercialAbu Dhabi Media Office
Pura Longevity ClinicPersonalised longevity plans combining diagnostics, lifestyle assessment, nutrition, sleep medicine and fitnessNext milestone: Disclosed patient volumes or published outcome dataUAELongevity and healthspanLongevity clinicPureHealthCommercialPureHealth
Clinique La Prairie AMAALALongevity and preventive health programmes within a destination developmentNext milestone: An opening date, or a published clinical scope and licensing basisEmerging signal. Announced 2023, with opening forthcoming.Saudi ArabiaPreventive and wellness servicesLongevity clinicClinique La PrairieAnnouncedClinique La Prairie
HELMA longevity initiative spanning health, endurance and medicineNext milestone: A published mandate, budget or first programmeEmerging signal. Announced April 2025 and under development, and named as a partner in the Hub71+ Life Sciences launch.UAELongevity and healthspanDistributor or ecosystem operatorAbu Dhabi government initiativeAnnouncedLongevity.Technology
Medica GroupDistribution of aesthetic injectablesNext milestone: A published principal list and market coverageEmerging signal. Distribution partner to Hugel for aesthetic injectables, per Hugel's wire release.UAEAesthetic and regenerative medicineDistributor or ecosystem operatorPrivately heldCommercialPR Newswire
Medytox Dubai Science Park facilityFinished botulinum toxin manufactureNext milestone: Construction start, investment or commissioningEmerging signal. Positioned as the region's first aesthetic toxin plant, announced for Dubai Science Park in January 2023.UAEAesthetic and regenerative medicinePharmaceutical manufacturerMedytoxAnnouncedThe Korea Economic Daily
Sources: A7i companies dataset Methodology

Where the white space is

Three openings the record shows plainly. Each is an A7i assessment built on the verified records it cites.

Precision nutrition is the next application for Gulf genomics

The three national genomics programmes, the Saudi Human Genome Program, the Emirati Reference Genome Programme and the Qatar Precision Health Institute, are built around rare disease and pharmacogenomics. In the region with the world's highest diabetes prevalence, diet, nutrition and metabolic biomarkers are the natural next application for these national datasets.

Gulf food biotechnology is anchored in Abu Dhabi, with Riyadh as the next frontier

The region's fermentation infrastructure, including 4 million litres of precision fermentation capacity under development, and its novel-foods approval route are both in Abu Dhabi. In the Kingdom, the Public Investment Fund's agri-food portfolio leaves cultivated meat, precision fermentation and alternative protein as greenfield for sovereign and private capital.

Trans fat reformulation demand sits in four GCC markets

Saudi Arabia (2024) and Oman (2025) hold WHO validation for eliminating industrially produced trans fats. Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE operate under the GSO limit, and the UAE's National Healthy Nutrition Strategy 2031 adds a ban on partially hydrogenated oils. These four markets are where reformulation demand sits and where the next regulatory tightening is most likely.

What the Gulf regulates on food and nutrition

Sorted by force: mandates first, then voluntary standards and guidance, so each instrument reads at its true weight.

Data table
What the Gulf regulates on food, fats and nutrition
InstrumentMarketForceIn force fromSource
Trans Fatty AcidsGSO 2483/2015GCC Standardization OrganizationCaps trans fatty acids at 2 per cent of total fat in vegetable oils and soft spreadable margarines and 5 per cent of total fat in all other foods, including restaurant ingredients. Sets a 'trans fat free' claim threshold below 0.5g per 100g.GCCMandatoryAdopted nationally between 2016 and 2021GCC Standardization Organization
Trans Fat, Edition 3GSO 2483:2024GCC Standardization OrganizationA Gulf technical regulation on trans fat content applying to all food products intended for human consumption. Supersedes the 2015 and 2021 editions.GCCMandatoryCurrent editionGCC Standardization Organization
Edible Vegetable Oils, Part 1, Edition 3GSO 1754-1:2025GCC Standardization OrganizationComposition, quality and safety specifications permitting named edible vegetable oils for human consumption, including cottonseed, sunflower, rapeseed, safflower, soybean, maize and palm.The current GCC standard for edible vegetable oils, permitting named seed oils.GCCMandatoryCurrent Gulf technical regulationGCC Standardization Organization
Excise tax on carbonated, sweetened and energy drinksGCC Excise Tax Common AgreementGCC member state tax authorities50 per cent on carbonated and sweetened drinks and 100 per cent on energy drinks. Saudi Arabia extended the 50 per cent rate to all other sugar-sweetened beverages in December 2019.In force in five GCC states. Fitch expects Kuwait to introduce it in the fiscal year ending March 2027.GCCMandatorySaudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain 2017; Oman and Qatar 2019F1000Research
National Nutrition and Physical Activity Action Plan 2017-2022Qatar Ministry of Public HealthCommits to legislation reducing trans fatty acid intake below 1 per cent and saturated fatty acid intake below 10 per cent of total calories, a 30 per cent relative reduction in population salt intake, reformulation of sugar-rich drinks, and taxes on sweetened beverages.QatarMandatory2017 to 2022Qatar Ministry of Public Health
Prohibition of partially hydrogenated oilsSFDA.FD 2483Saudi Food and Drug AuthorityProhibits the use of partially hydrogenated oils in all food manufactured or imported for human consumption. Naturally occurring ruminant trans fats are excluded.WHO-validated.Saudi ArabiaMandatory2020-01-01Saudi Food and Drug Authority
Menu nutrition informationSaudi Food and Drug AuthorityNutrition information on all physical, digital and delivery-platform menus; a saltshaker symbol beside high-sodium meals; caffeine content disclosure; and the estimated time needed to burn off a meal's calories.Among the most detailed out-of-home nutrition disclosure regimes published anywhere.Saudi ArabiaMandatory2025-07-01Saudi Food and Drug Authority
Requirements for nutrition labellingSFDA.FD / GSO 2233Saudi Food and Drug Authority and the GCC Standardization OrganizationMandatory back-of-pack declaration of nutritional information on prepackaged foods, including saturated fat, added sugar, cholesterol and fibre.Saudi ArabiaMandatory2021-04-01Nutrients
Technical requirements of bread production, salt limitSFDA.FD 2362Saudi Food and Drug AuthorityA maximum of 1g of salt per 100g of bread produced.Saudi ArabiaMandatory2019-04-30Saudi Food and Drug Authority
Tiered volumetric excise on sweetened beveragesCabinet Decision No. 197 of 2025UAE Ministry of FinanceReplaces the flat 50 per cent ad valorem rate with sugar-density tiers per 100ml: below 5g exempt, 5g to below 8g at AED 0.79 per litre, and 8g and above at AED 1.09 per litre. Artificially sweetened drinks are exempt. Products are classified on laboratory reports.The first Gulf fiscal instrument priced on nutrient density rather than product category.UAEMandatory2026-01-01United Arab Emirates Ministry of Finance
Novel foods regulatory frameworkAbu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, with the Quality and Conformity Council and the Abu Dhabi Investment OfficeA unified framework for cultivated proteins and precision-fermentation foods: a single point of contact for registration, halal certification and production and import permits; tiered science-based risk assessment; registration stated as six to nine months faster than existing timelines; and a national database of approved products.The most consequential Gulf regulatory development for food biotechnology.UAEMandatoryIn implementationAbu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority
Front-of-pack nutrition labelling, multiple traffic lightSFDA.FD 42Saudi Food and Drug AuthorityRed, amber and green colour coding for saturated and total fat, salt and sugar content.Voluntary standard, documented in a peer-reviewed review co-authored with WHO's regional office.Saudi ArabiaVoluntaryVoluntaryNutrients
National Nutrition Strategy 2030UAE Ministry of Health and PreventionFive pillars: sustainable food systems, comprehensive nutrition coverage in health systems, social protection and nutrition education, safe supportive nutrition environments, and an advanced food strategy.UAEGuidance2022 to 2030United Arab Emirates Government
Requirements of nutritional labelling, revisionGSO 2233:2025GCC Standardization OrganizationHarmonised mandatory nutrition declarations, nutrient reference values, panel format and tolerance limits for prepackaged foods.Carried as an emerging signal.GCCDraftConsultation closed 6 September 2026.Tracking
Sources: Individually sourced in the table Methodology

The metabolic burden these rules are aimed at

Official statistics, each linked to the issuing body.

Data table
Metabolic burden and policy effect, from official statistics
MeasureMarketValueYearSource
Diabetes prevalence, age-standardised, adults 20 to 79Kuwait24.9%2021International Diabetes Federation
Diabetes prevalence, age-standardised, adults 20 to 79Qatar19.5%2021International Diabetes Federation
Diabetes prevalence, age-standardised, adults 20 to 79Saudi Arabia18.7%2021International Diabetes Federation
Diabetes prevalence, age-standardised, adults 20 to 79UAE16.4%2021International Diabetes Federation
Diabetes prevalence, age-standardised, adults 20 to 79Oman13.8%2021International Diabetes Federation
Diabetes prevalence, age-standardised, adults 20 to 79Bahrain11.3%2021International Diabetes Federation
Regional diabetes prevalence, highest of all IDF regionsOne in six adults, 85 million people, with one in three cases undiagnosed. Projected to reach 162.6 million by 2050.Middle East and North Africa19.9%2024International Diabetes Federation
Adult obesity, self-reportedSaudi Arabia23.1%2024General Authority for Statistics
Adult overweight, self-reportedSaudi Arabia45.1%2024General Authority for Statistics
Child obesity, ages 2 to 14Saudi Arabia14.6%2024General Authority for Statistics
Adults eating five or more servings of fruit and vegetables daily84.8 per cent eat one to four servings daily.Saudi Arabia10.2%2024General Authority for Statistics
Physical inactivity, age-standardisedSaudi Arabia82.1%2019Saudi Ministry of Health
Raised blood pressure, age-standardisedSaudi Arabia24.5%2019Saudi Ministry of Health
Per-capita annual soda purchases after the excise taxEnergy drink purchases fell 58 per cent over the same period.Saudi Arabiadown 41%2018World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office
Sweetened beverage sales growth, before and after the excise taxThe largest fall of the six GCC states.Saudi Arabia5.44% to 1.33%2018F1000Research
Anaemia in women of reproductive age after mandatory flour fortificationBahrain51.3% to 35.4% over 18 years2019World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office
Spina bifida incidence after mandatory flour fortificationOman2.34-4.03 to 0.29 per 1,000 deliveries2006World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office
Precision fermentation capacity under developmentMulti-tenanted.UAE4 million litres2025Abu Dhabi Investment Office
Sources: Individually sourced in the table Methodology

The Wire, by email

Biotechnology, diagnostics, capital, regulation, science and manufacturing across the six Gulf markets. Every item is selected for its significance and carries a direct source and a verification date.