The Neonatal Mortality Rates in Gulf Cooperation Council States between 1980 and 2021: Advancements, Trends, and Disparities

Introduction: Neonatal mortality rates (NMRs) are key indicators of healthcare quality and socioeconomic conditions. While Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have made progress in reducing NMR, disparities persist. This study analyzes NMR trends across GCC states from 1980 to 2021, focusing on gender, regional, and temporal variations. Methods: Using data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study, supplemented by the World Bank, World Health Organization, and GCC national statistics, NMR trends were analyzed. Data were stratified by gender (male and female) and neonatal period (early and late). Trends were compared to regional (Middle East and North Africa [MENA], Arab League [AL]) and global (high-income, advanced healthcare systems, European Union [EU], Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development [OECD]) averages. Correlation and regression analysis assessed the relationship between the sociodemographic Index (SDI), Current Health Expenditure per capita (CHE), and NMR. Results: GCC countries demonstrated significant NMR reductions by 2021, some achieving <10% of 1980 levels. Male NMRs consistently exceeded female rates, with early NMR in males showing the largest decline. Country-specific variations were observed, with some fluctuating above or below the GCC average. GCC NMRs were lower than MENA, AL, OECD, and advanced healthcare system averages, but higher than high-income countries and EU benchmarks. A weak negative correlation existed between NMR and SDI, and a moderate negative correlation with CHE. Conclusions: GCC countries have made substantial progress in reducing NMR, but further improvements are needed. Targeted interventions and regional collaboration are crucial to address gender disparities, and country-specific fluctuations, and improving healthcare efficiency. Future research should explore subnational disparities and qualitative factors influencing neonatal care.