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Characteristics and regional distribution of radiographers in Saudi Arabia: a national cross-sectional study
1Department of Radiological Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia. jhalyami@kau.edu.sa.
Background:
Radiographers play vital roles in diagnostics and therapeutic healthcare. Despite ongoing health sector reforms in Saudi Arabia, comprehensive national data on the radiographer workforce remain limited. This study aimed to examine the characteristics and distribution of radiographers in Saudi Arabia by identifying their demographic patterns, educational qualifications, and employment distribution across healthcare sectors and regions.
Methods:
A national cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data obtained from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) on 11 September 2025. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse practitioners' demographics, educational qualifications, professional classifications, employment sectors, and geographical distribution in Saudi Arabia to inform workforce planning under the Health Sector Transformation Program.
Results:
A total of 22,626 active radiographers were registered with the SCFHS. Approximately 60% were women, and 74% were under 40 years of age (mean 34.3 ± 8.9 years). More than half (52%) held a bachelor's degree, 43% held a diploma, and 5% held a postgraduate qualification. Most (78%) had completed their education in Saudi Arabia. More than half were employed in the public sector (56.8%) and specialists comprised the largest professional category (52.5%). Workforce distribution was uneven, with over half concentrated in the Central and Western regions, particularly Riyadh and Makkah. The national average density was 640 radiographers per million inhabitants, with substantial regional variations.
Conclusions:
Saudi Arabia has a relatively young workforce with a clearly defined professional classification system; however, significant regional disparities persist. Targeted redistribution strategies, the expansion of advanced training pathways, and continuous workforce monitoring are required to support equitable access to imaging services and align with the objectives of the Saudi Health Sector Transformation Program and Vision 2030.
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