Introduction
Data sources
Objectives
Termibologies and concepts related to Services statistics Publication
Temporal and spatial coverage
Used statistical classifications
Obtaining data
Results preparation and revision
Data publication
Applied quality procedures
Beneficiarires and benefits

Introduction

The General Authority for Statistics implements the Services Statistics Publication at the level of Saudi regions and governorates, to be a reference for all ministries and governmental departments and  institutions.  This Publication aims to provide basic data for planners, development policy makers and decision-makers, as it draws its data from the records of the entities providing services, which include: (Educational, public, agricultural, social, developmental, financial, banking, and administrative services).

The Publication also provides detailed data on educational services such as: (numbers of schools, students, classes, and teachers) classified by educational stage and gender in both the governmental and private sectors, in addition to some other public, social, development, financial, banking, and agricultural services.

The General Authority for Statistics would like to express its thanks and appreciation to all partners from the concerned entities for their cooperation in the implementation of this Publication. All suggestions and comments on this Publication are welcome and can be sent to (info@stats.gov.sa), as this would enhance it, and improve the upcoming releases

Data sources

The Services Statistics Publication relies on the data of administrative records from its official sources in the relevant governmental entities, which provide GASTAT with these data, so that GASTAT can calculate its indicators and issue them in this Publication. Administrative records might refer to paper or electronic records in which data or information are recorded. This data is related to statistical or any other fields that are related to society conditions and activities.

The following table includes a list of these government entities:

Objectives:

The Publication aims to provide updated data on services provided by various government agencies at the level of regions and governorates in Saudi Arabia, the most important of which are the following:

1. Providing updated data on educational services provided, (public and private education) at the level of regions and governorates in various regions of Saudi Arabi.
2. Providing updated data on health services provided, ambulance centers and red crescent at the level of regions and governorates in Saudi Arabia.
3. Providing updated data on public and administrative services at the level of regions and governorates in Saudi Arabia.

Terminologies and concepts related to Services Statistics Publication:

Services Statistics Publication:

A comprehensive inventory in administrative records regarding all services available in the governorates and regions of Saudi Arabia, distributed according to the administrative division of the Kingdom. Such services include educational, administrative, social, agricultural, public or private services.

Administrative region:

Part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that is administered by a government agency which is directly attached to the Ministry of Interior, such as Riyadh and Makkah ... etc. Each administrative region has a capital city.

Governorate:

Part of the administrative region, the first -level of the subdivisions and reports directly to the region, such as Al-Kharj Governorate of Riyadh Region.

Indicators and key results:  

Coverage:

Spatial coverage:

Data provided in the Services Statistics Publication covers all the thirteen regions of Saudi Arabia, with their administrative divisions, which include Emirates and Governorates.

Temporal coverage:

Publication‘s data is obtained from its sources of administrative records annually during December.

Used statistical classifications:

In classifying its data, the Publication depends on GASTAT manual of  populated areas, through which classification is done according to the administrative reference of each administrative region and governorate. 

Obtaining data:

GASTAT coordinated with the governmental entities owning the data, and requested specific data by using a template that accurately clarifies the nature of requested data from each governmental entity. 

Results preparation and revision: 

After receiving the data from all entities, data are saved in the geo-statistical data department in order to be audited, revised and processed according to the scientific statistical approach and familiar quality standards in coordination with the data-producing entity. Then, GASTAT starts the operations of calculation and results extraction. After that, all outputs are downloaded and saved in files in order to undergo a final revision by specialists from the geo-statistical data statistics by using modern technologies and software that are designed for the purpose of revising and auditing.  

Data publication:

First: Preparing results for publishing​

In this stage, GASTAT coordinated, organized, and revised the administrative records data of this Publication. The Authority then prepared publication tables and charts for both data and indicators, and added metadata and methodological information as seen in this Publication. These were prepared in both Arabic and English.

Second: Preparing media kit and announcing the date of release:

After GASTAT announced the Publication’s release date on its official website at the beginning of the Georgian Calendar Year, the Authority prepares the required media kit to announce the Publication’s release on all media outlets, as well as its various social media platforms. The announcement will be made on the date set for publication. The Publication will be published on the official website in various templates of open data in Excel format to guarantee its spread and accessibility to all clients and parties interested in the results of Services Statistics. The Publication will be included in the website’s statistics library. 

Third: Communicating with clients and providing them with the Publication:

GASTAT pays great importance to communicating with clients who use its data. Therefore, GASTAT contacts clients upon the release of the Services Statistics Publication to provide them with it. GASTAT also receives questions and enquiries from clients regarding the Publication and its results through various communication channels, so clients can contact GASTAT to request data. Questions and inquiries can be received via: 

• GASTAT website: www.stats.gov.sa    
• GASTAT email: info@stats.gov.sa  
• Client support email cs@stats.gov.sa
• Visiting GASTAT‘s headquarters in Riyadh or one of its branches in the regions of the   Kingdom.
• Official letters.
• Statistical Helpline: (920020081).

Applied quality procedures: 

The Services Statistics Publication is subject to many technical quality procedures to guarantee the quality of data, some of these procedures are:

1. Revising the data received from administrative records, and checking thier comrehensiveness, in addition to contacting the data providing entities if necessary to recognize any clarifications on suspected data.
2. Verifying the outputs reasonability by comparing them with the historical numbers, and ensuring its correspondence to  reality.
3. Publishing results on the previously determined dates of release. 

Beneficiaries and benefits: 

The Services Statistics Publication benefits all governmental entities that are related to developmental work in Saudi Arabia such as the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, entities in the list of data sources, in addition to international and regional organizations, researchers, planners, and those who are interested in services statistics. The services statistics Publication’s’ data and indicators are considered some of the key statistical products that contribute in decision making, and would be positively reflected on the provided services in line with the Saudi Vision 2030. However, the private sector would also benefit from the data of this Publication as well as its features.

More details on Services Statistics Publication can be found on GASTAT‘s website:

https://www.stats.gov.sa/EN/1116