The impact of institutional quality and resources rent on health: The case of GCC

•Resource curse exists in all GCC countries in the short run and long run.•Corruption has had a detrimental effect on life expectancy in almost all GCC countries, both in the short and long run.•Democracy has no significant effect on life expectancy in GCC, both in the short and long run.•Plans and initiatives must be set in order to combat corruption and extend democracy in the long run.•Institutions have a moderating effect on the relationship between life expectancy and resource rent.