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Aim/purpose – Saudi Arabia is rapidly urbanizing, where the number of urban residents, currently exceeds 80% of the population. Many cities in the country face challenges of sustainability, livability, resilience, and thus global reputation. Therefore, measuring city performance is crucial in assessing urban complexity in order to improve development potential. As stated in Vision 2030 of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, attempts at improv- ing the global competitiveness and reputation of cities are of prime importance. This attempt aims at developing a culturally sensitive city ranking methodology, testing the method with relevant statistics, and presenting the preliminary results for further discus- sions, deliberations, and extensions. Design/methodology/approach – In this context, an index named Saudi Arabia’s City- -Ranking Index (SACRI) was developed, which proposes a three-dimensional assess- ment, incorporating livability, competitiveness, and environmental sustainability with 58 indicators (widely used or culturally specific). This exercise is carried out in 17 future cities, considering the feasibility criterion. Findings – Riyadh emerged as the most preferred city with the first rank, followed by Jeddah, Dammam, Madina, and Al Baha in order. Najran ranks 17, the last, preceded by Jazan, Al Qatif, Arar, and Al Taif. Research implications/limitations – This ranking of Saudi Arabia’s cities seeks im- portance in planning, improving, and promoting livability, competitiveness, and envi- ronmental sustainability to grab prominent places on a global scale. Originality/value/contribution – This exercise is unique for Saudi Arabia, with specific cultural dimensions that could be replicated in the neighboring Arab countries. Keywords: city ranking, urbanization, livability, competitiveness, environmental sus- tainability. JEL Classification: J10.

Aim/purpose – The demographic dividend, defined as the proportion of working age to the rest of the population, is an opportunity seen mainly in developing countries, result- ing from demographic transition. Efforts to maximize gains from it are crucial, especial- ly for the Arabian Gulf states, where labor force demands are met at the danger of native youth unemployment that leads to issues of human resources utilization. This research on Saudi Arabian demographic dividend aims at tracking changes in the age structure, labor force participation, and prospects leading to economic gains. Design/methodology/approach – Data from various sources such as censuses (1974, 1992, 2004, and 2010), national labor force surveys 1999-2017 and United Nations (UN) Population Prospects are compiled and statistically analyzed with a historical approach for calculations of age distribution, median age, and labor force participation adopting standard procedures. Findings – An age structural transition occurred: percentage of population 15-64 years increased from 47.2% to 67.3%, increasing the dividend from 89.6% to 205.5%. This influenced the labor force’s sectoral distribution, and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per working age population. Research implications/limitations – The dividend’s first phase, since 2000, is expected to last until 2050, followed by the second dividend which may last longer. Along with the dividend, there shall be policies executed to reap the benefits, including scientifically planned recruitment of potential candidates in various professions, both in public and private sectors. Originality/value/contribution – This research concerns a population, which is unex- plored in detail, especially at a macro level. Thus, such an in-depth analysis seeks im- portance in revealing special demographic dimensions to a wider international audience. There are no such studies conducted in Saudi Arabia, with a national perspective helpful for revamping efforts to boost labor force reforms and to make maximum gain during the short-lived demographic dividend period. Keywords: demographic transition, accounting effect, age-sex structure, labor force, median age. JEL Classification: B55, J10.

Background: Public health data for dissemination and discussion in Saudi Arabia are limited but the new initiatives of General Authority of Statistics creates many national surveys. One of the most recent one, the Family/Household Health Survey - 2017 aims to fill the gaps in health information data on many population and health indicators. This research aims at appraising the self-assessed health and to examine age-sex and geographic differentials and the probable interconnections with chronic diseases, injuries and periodic examinations.Data and Methods: The National Family/Household Health Survey conducted in October-December, 2017 covered both Saudi and non-Saudi households from 13 administrative areas through a random sample procedure involving primary sampling units and secondary sampling units. A portion of the published data on self-assessment of health, chronic diseases, injuries, and periodic medical examinations were analyzed.Results: More than half of the persons in the Kingdom, reportedly, are in good health; more so among females than males: their proportions decreased with age up to 40 years and thereafter increased sharply. However, the major regions have lesser proportion of good health people than the others. On the contrary, the prevalence of chronic diseases increases with age, in both general and Saudi population, but with variations across specific diseases – hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases: there are pertinent geographic differentials. On the other hand, there are injuries (from traffic accidents and others) occurred at house, work/school, public place, and other places; pertinent with geographic variations. Moreover, age, sex, and regional differences in periodic health examinations have a contributing effect on health assessments. Moreover, the median age shows a pattern resembling adults assessing good health; chronic diseases after 50s; injuries before 40s; periodic medical examinations in 50s; with females at a lower age, both in general and Saudi population. Discussions and Conclusions: The national health system played an important role not only in health status and health assessments but also in building confidence and trust and thereby enhancing optimism, realism, recognition, self-awareness, and acceptance of physical condition. Thus, age, sex, and regional variations in health assessment are born out of chronic diseases, injuries, and periodic medical examinations and also of expectations and experiences. Generation of such information, effective dissemination, and regular discussions at various levels followed by in-depth analyses raise health and health care.

Saudi Arabia has been seriously affected by COVID-19 across various administrative areas. Not only the prominent cities but also upcoming future cities and small townships were affected. This research aims at an analysis of COVID-19 data published by the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia to understand effects of broader administrative areas and neighborhoods and its interaction on spread of the epidemic. This research applies a generalized linear model (3 X 3) of administrative areas (major, middle sized and others) and neighborhoods (large, medium sized, and others) on COVID-19 infected cases classifying on a monthly basis from March to November, 2020. A total of 213 neighborhoods of various categories have been affected in the country with variousfrequencies and changes, based on local demographics. More than the broader administrative areas smaller neighborhoods receive significance and thus the interaction of variables in producing the number of cases: giving lessons for policies, programs and plans of development.

A profound reduction in Saudi Arabia’s fertility rate has influenced household size and family composition, slowly and steadily. Moreover, the increasing number of never married women, marital dissolutions, women entering into the labor force, and so on has also influenced changes in Saudi Arabian families. Family demographics influence values, norms, and filial responsibilities of not only family members but also of society. Families are changing globally as a result of transitions in marriage, fertility, and livelihoods. In Islamic countries such as Saudi Arabia, studies of family demography aim to understand the emerging issues and at the same time to preserve and strengthen traditional family values. This article examines changes in fertility patterns and extends into the structure, distribution, composition, roles, and responsibility of families, taking into account changes in size, composition and distribution, and median age of families. It has found that the analyses and interpretations, in this article, need to be endorsed where those indicators discussed help identify the emerging issues of family demographic transition and changes in the family values and traditions and thus facilitate policy formulation. This study makes use of two sets of data: censuses (i.e., 1992, 2004, and 2010) and demographic surveys (i.e., 2000, 2007, and 2016).

Satisfaction is a personal feeling stemming from various factors including past and present experiences and expectations fostered by living arrangements and relationship networks. This study aims at investigating Saudi Arabian retiree satisfaction using a sample drawn from five administrative areas representing planning regions. The specific objectives of this study, which investigates the influence of previous employment on life after retirement, are to assess satisfaction levels and their variations and identify explanatory variables. A random sample of 2341 retirees was selected from a sampling frame and analyzed using the linear regression model in order to extract predictors, namely demographic, geographic, social, economic, and health. The results demonstrate that economic variables have a stronger explanatory value than others. In addition, the area of residence, problems of family and leisure time, charitable activities, and self-assessed health have significant explanatory value, although with differences between males and females. The results clearly imply the need for a wise and smooth transition to retirement through planning and involvement in various sports and voluntary activities.

Home ownership has implications for a family’s empowerment and quality of life, especially post-retirement. Economic conditions, the cost of living, and child-rearing create barriers to accumulating immovable assets, including the home. This study identifies the determinants of home ownership among retirees—geographic, demographic, social and economic variables—and explains the effect using data drawn from five administrative areas in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh, Madina, Eastern, Jazan, and Jouf) representing planning regions (Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western and Central). A large proportion of retirees (82%) own a home (purchased before or after retirement), with regional differences. Retirees from Jouf and Jazan have higher ownership rates than their counterparts in Riyadh, Madina, or Eastern, with rates affected by geographic, demographic, social, and economic factors. As determinants, geographic and demographic factors have major roles while economic factors play a typical role in decision-making. A mix of higher education, professional employment, longer duration of employment and higher salaries, when combined with locational preferences and family requirements, motivate or enable home ownership. Retiree home-ownership is important to dignified post-retirement (old-age) life, and so measures and policies may be strengthened to empower people to own homes during their working life.

Background: Contraception, a little researched topic in the Saudi Arabian context, receives attention in the demographic transition for its implications on population policy. The population of Saudi Arabia appears homogeneous but shows differences across social and economic groups. An important component of demography – contraception is been hypothesized in Saudi Arabia, as a determinant of fertility, along with other factors such as age at first marriage, women’s educational attainment, husband’s education, child deaths, women’s work force participation, place of residence, type of family, preference for sons, level of living, and administrative area of residence. This hypothesis has significance due to the fertility differentials depending upon marital relations, female literacy, modernization and migration. This study intends to capture the attention of academicians and social reformers in line with building “happy families”. The specific objectives of the study were to assess the associates and determinants of contraceptive use and to ascertain the importance of factors promoting contraceptive use. Methods: Here the contraceptive use of a unique group of ever-married women employees of King Saud University Riyadh was examined in 2015, with an aim to assessing its associates and determinants. The sample of 354 women was drawn by a simple random sampling method tested with a self-administered questionnaire. Analyses were primarily means of age at first marriage, age of husband at marriage, age gap between spouses, years lived with husband, and number of children; association of demographic, geographic, social, and economic variables; and determinants. Results: Demographic variables of age, number of marriages, age of husband at first marriage, and continuing with first marriage; geographic variable of place grown up; social variables of type of family and type of job; and economic variable of income are significant associates of contraceptive use. Meanwhile, age, continuing with first marriage, age at first marriage, number of children, and home ownership are significant predictors. Conclusions and recommendations: Manipulation of these indicators or characteristics of women facilitate the demographic scenario desired by the Kingdom or conceptualized in the population policy.

As compared with other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Saudi Arabia has distinct demographic features. This leads the Saudi government to take measures to revisit its existing policies and schemes concerned with population. With this brief outline, migration data used in this article are pitched to understand five dimensions: (1) to look at the Saudi citizens’ migration trends within the Kingdom, (2) to analyse the impact of migration on the Kingdom’s population growth and also on the neighbouring GCC countries, (3) to look at the changes taking place annually in the Kingdom’s migration trends and in the other GCC countries, (4) to examine the migrants, looking at their origin place and (5) to analyse the variation between immigrants and Saudi Arabia citizens in terms of demographic parameters like population growth, sex ratio, broad age groups and age-sex distribution. Various databases available at both national and international levels were taken to address the five dimensions. The findings showed that push and pull factors and infrastructure differentials are taken into consideration while Saudi population internally migrate. All the GCC countries, including Saudi Arabia, experience international migration streams subject to the labour requirements and governmental regulations for both Arabs and non-Arabs. Immigrant demographics are characterized by Saudi Arabia’s labour demand controlled by adult males from other countries.

This paper undertakes a detailed analysis of 2010 Census Population and Household Tables (Final), to assess governorate wise variations in home ownership, type of living accommodations and housing infrastructure - material used for construction, electricity, water and sewage facilities. The data published by the Ministry of Economics and Planning in its “Population and Housing, 2010 Census” analyzed in detail using SPSS20, applying statistical methods such as, cross tabulations and chi-square; mean and standard deviation; and One-Way ANOVA. Governorates classified into small, medium and large, according to the number of Saudi persons, have been analyzed across 13 regions quantifying homeownership status. Further governorates are classified according to the percentage of owning homes in order to analyze the type of living accommodations, built up material of housing, source of electricity, water and sewage facilities.

The Arab World, composed of 22 member states of the Arab League, under- goes a rapid transition in demographic front in terms of fertility, mortality, and migration. It is a distinctive geographic region that extends across the Western Asia and North East Africa, united by Arabic language, and that shares common values and characteristics, despite the diversity in economic and political conditions. The demographic lag that characterizes the Arab World is unique, but the present trend of declining fertility com- bined with the existing relatively low mortality exerts pressures on age structures, thereby influencing an ageing population phenomena. The current research aimed to (1) explore changes in age structure over a period of 3 decades and (2) assess the ageing situation. Based on the International Data Base (IDB) of US Census Bureau, for 3 periods—1992, 2002, and 2012, 21 countries of the Arab World (Palestine excluded because data were not available) were analyzed by dividing them into four geographic sectors: Gulf Cooperation Council, West Asia, Maghreb, and Nile Valley African Horn. Changing age structures with decreasing young cohorts accompanied by increasing adult cohorts constrict and influence the age pyramids. The ageing scenario, further revealed through child-woman ratio, aged- child ratio, median age, and age-dependency ratio indicates changes with differences across sectors. Changes in age structures and ageing in the Arab World can be delineated into four geographic sectors. Population growth influences the age structure in line with the increasing proportion of adolescents and youths but a decreasing proportion of children, leading to ageing of the population.

Researches on Arab population spread into Asian and African continents, coordinated by the League of Arab Nations (a coalition of 22 Arab states) are insufficient to create discussions and common policies. Significantly higher growth rate results in a youth bulge – expansion of youths. The current analysis through the International Data Base of US Census Bureau aims at exploring the demographic change in the Arab World, by distinguishing them into Gulf Cooperation Council, West Asia, Maghreb and Nile Valley African Horn. The population of Arab World grew from 232 million (1992) to 360 million (2012), affecting sex ratio, geographic distribution, migration flows and thus influencing living standards and socioeconomic conditions, thereby determining social life. Natural increase and migration contributes to the growth rate, thus influencing the society – economically active working age population, children, and old aged. Vital statistics – fertility and mortality – have relevance not only in the population policies and programs but also in public health and social infrastructure planning. The low mortality but fast declining fertility lead to gains in life expectancy. Thus, population change alters lifestyle, socioeconomic engagements, time allocations, traditions, and cultures determining the society’s priorities, recognitions, focus, and botherations; thus, determining social life. Changing sex ratio, reducing proportion of children, increasing aging, and widening youth population have a marked effect on the social structure.

Saudi Arabia, divided into 5 planning regions, 13 administrative regions and further to 118 governorates (administrative units), has diverse demographic characteristics from one region to another and from one governorate to another. Rural to urban migration and an exodus of immigrants characterize the Kingdom, where development planning depend largely upon local level requirements based on economic activities. An attempt was made to analyze the population characteristics, such as population size, sex ratio, native to foreigner ratio, and households and persons per households by keeping governorate as unit of analysis. Data of two census period (2004 and 2010) was used in order to explore the situation and track the intercensal changes. Large variations in population were observed between governorates and it varied from 3686 to 5,007,886 in 2010. Governorates are divided according to the number of native population demarcating urbanization, modernization and infrastructure. During the intercensal period, the number of small governorates reduced and medium and large sized governorates increased mainly due to population growth. The average population in governorates was increased in total and in the larger governorates during the period. However, we noticed a reduction in the average population size in the small and medium sized governorates. The size of native population in a governorate influences the sex ratio, the native-foreigner ratio and the persons per household as well as the variations within the group of governorates. Analyses of lower level data shall aid not only to understand the situation but also to support local development policies.

Introduction: The Libyan National Health System (LNHS) is debated for the paradox of its performance versus impact. It has poor performance, but the national health statistics are good and competitive. There are concerted efforts to manage health care services and to regain the lost trust. A primary health care (PHC) system that focuses on preventive and promotive care is the core focus of LNHS efforts. Objectives: To assess patient satisfaction with quality of PHC assessed in terms of (a) customer profile, (b) patient satisfaction, and (c) health care-seeking behavior. Methodology: A sample of nine health centers and seven polyclinics from various locations in Benghazi, Libya were selected for gathering information by structured face-to-face interviews. A total of 310 beneficiaries were interviewed by using an Arabic translation of the Charleston Psychiatric Outpatient Satisfaction Scale. Results: The beneficiaries appear to be quite satisfied with the quality of services. Geographical zone, marital status of beneficiary, and type of facility are satisfaction-related factors. There are preferences for facilities located within the City Centre over those located elsewhere. There is also an interaction effect of the geographical zone and the type of facility in creating differences in satisfaction. Conclusions: A customer-friendly facility concept that emphasizes reception, physician interaction, and cordiality shall add value. Polyclinics require more attention as does the Al Slawy area. A few utility services might also be considered. Keywords: exit interviews; Health For All by All; geographic zone; administrative and environmental factors; health-seeking behavior; interaction effect; type and location of facility; place of residence (Published: 21 October 2010) Citation: Libyan J Med 2010, 5: 4873 - DOI: 10.3402/ljm.v5i0.4873

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the largest nation in the Arabian Peninsula is divided into 13 regions, which are of different development levels in terms of both population and public utility infrastructure. More than the other regions, population is high in Al-Riyadh, Makkah Al-Mokarramah, and the Eastern Region, due to urbanization. The current analysis of census results is aimed at understanding (i) regional variations in population and households and (ii) house ownership, type of housing, and housing infrastructure. Saudi Arabia’s population is 26,090,555, living in 4,655,127 households with higher concentration in Al-Riyadh, Makkah Al-Mokarramah, and the Eastern Region. One-fourth of the households are in Makkah Al-Mokarrammah while another one-fourth in Al-Riyadh. Households are small with 6 persons in each. The proportion of households in own houses is less than half – mostly Saudi households. Households in the Kingdom live in apartments, traditional houses, villas or floor in a villa with differing proportions across regions and between Saudi and non-Saudi. While apartments are the major type of housing (major regions), traditional houses (Jazan, Al-Baha, Hail, and Aseer regions) and villas (Al-Riyadh region) still exist that are built by concrete (less than four-fifths), block/brick (less than one-fifth), mud (rare), and stone (rare) with varying regional proportions. Infrastructure – electricity, water, and sewage – vary across regions. The major source of electricity is public station followed by private station and private generators. Water source is mainly the public water inside the pipe unit but catchment tank water and well water are used. Three types of sewage system are prevalent in the Kingdom - public sewage, ditch sewage, and private sewage. An inequitable distribution of population across regions shows urbanization, causing an emergence of the modern housing sector influencing house ownership. Developed regions have less ownership, more rentals and office quarters, thus, presuming that development level and migration status are driving house ownership. The impact of infrastructural variations is difficult to interpret as such variations affect the interest of the public sector and customers. A lesser dependence on the public sector requires caution when assessing the situation and when creating policies and provisions to improve quality of life.