This chapter focuses on the health situation in ESCWA member countries, covering life expectancy, child and infant deaths, and the number of professionals and health institutions in the public and private sectors.  Data were provided by national statistical offices.

            Table III-1 presents estimates of life expectancy at birth, and child and infant mortality rates in ESCWA member countries for the periods 1995-2000 and 2000-2005. Estimates are based on the 2004 Revision of the World Population Prospects prepared by the United Nations Population Division.

            Table III-2 presents the number of physicians, dentists, pharmacists and nurses in ESCWA member countries for the period 1999-2004. The rates of physicians and dentists per 100,000 population were calculated using national mid-year population estimates.

            Table III-3 presents the number of hospitals, hospital beds and other health centres, such as child welfare centres, in ESCWA member countries.  The figures for hospital beds per 100,000 population were calculated according to national mid-year population estimates.

           It may be noted that life expectancy at birth for women and men was 73.1 years and 69.5 years respectively for the period 2000-2005. Infant and child mortality rates were highest in Iraq and lowest in the United Arab Emirates during the same period.

In 2003, Lebanon recorded the highest rates for physicians and dentists per 100,000 population in the ESCWA region, estimated at 277 physicians and 90 dentists per 100,000 population. Yemen was at the lower end of the scale, with only 16 physicians and 1 dentist per 100,000 population in 2003.