GASTAT revealed on Monday, Muharram 3, 1444, corresponding to August 1, 2022, the results of the real estate price index for the second quarter of 2022, and published it on its official website www.stats.gov.sa The publication results indicated a 0.7% increase in the general real estate price index for the second quarter of 2022, compared to the same quarter of the previous year 2021, mainly due to increase in residential real estate prices of +1.9%. According to the publication results, the increase in residential land prices largely affected the increase in real estate prices in the second quarter of 2022, compared to the second quarter of 2021. The residential sector recorded a 1.9% increase affected by a 0.2% increase in the residential land plots prices, on an annual basis in the second quarter of 2022, due to its high relative importance in the general index. Among other residential real estate prices, the prices of villas, apartments, and houses decreased by 1.1%, 1.1% and 0.9% respectively.  However, the prices of residential buildings stabilized and did not record any significant changes. The commercial sector recorded a 1.5% decrease, impacted by the decrease in the prices of commercial lands plots by 1.5%.  The prices of galleries also decreased by 1.1%, while the prices of commercial centers increased by 0.1%. On the other hand, the commercial buildings prices stabilized and did not record any significant changes. The agriculture sector decreased by 0.6% affected by the decrease in agriculture land prices by -0.6%. GASTAT is the only official statistical reference for statistical data and information in Saudi Arabia. It carries out all the statistical work, in addition to the technical oversight of the statistical sector. It also designs and implements field surveys, conducts statistical studies and researches, analyzes data and information, in addition to documenting and archiving all works of information and statistical data that cover all aspects of life in Saudi Arabia from its multiple sources. Data are written, classified, and analyzed; their indicators are extracted as well.

His Excellency the Minister of Economy and Planning, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Statistics, His Excellency – Faisal Al-Ibrahim – has launched the data collection phase for the Saudi Census 2022. The date of Monday evening, 8th Shawwal 1443 H, which corresponds to May 9th, 2022, was approved by Royal Decree last September as the census day for the General Population and Housing Census for 1443 H. His Excellency expressed his sincere gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and to His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister, for their kind guidance and their unlimited support for the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) to implement the Census. In his speech during the ceremony, which was held in Riyadh today, His Excellency praised the great efforts made by various government agencies in the Saudi Census 2022, contributing in various roles during its preparatory phases, and appreciating what their support and contribution in the coming phases. His Excellency Al-Ibrahim, referred to the transformation in the Kingdom under ‘Vision 2030’, pointing out that GASTAT provides accurate and reliable statistical data as a basic pillar for planning, development, creating economic and social policies, and developing plans for various sectors to achieve the Vision’s objectives and create a better future. He stressed that GASTAT conforms to the highest international standards and uses the latest techniques to issue statistical data, by integrating various administrative records, big data and statistical census information to provide accurate data. His Excellency explained that the Saudi Census 2022 is the first digital census in the history of the Kingdom, using a self-enumeration feature which allows heads of households to conveniently fill the census questionnaire on their own without the need for the census interviewer’s visit. In addition to self-enumeration, 30,000 census interviewers will visit households to collect information, all while upholding the highest levels of confidentiality. His Excellency also praised the wide participation of Saudi women in the Saudi Census 2022, whether through their leadership positions or by contributing in the field operation, stressing that it was an extension of the Kingdom’s approach to empowering women and increasing their contribution to the national economy. His Excellency Faisal Al-Ibrahim urged the Kingdom’s residents and citizens to participate in the census by completing its questionnaire through the various available options, considering it as a national duty, a societal responsibility, and an opportunity to build a better future for the Kingdom. The President of GASTAT, Dr. Konrad Pesendorfer clarified that the Saudi Census 2022 is the beginning of a new era of statistical knowledge in the Kingdom, describing it as an innovative digital census, and indicating that it will provide detailed information to help planners and policymakers. Dr. Pesendorfer pointed out that GASTAT is helping with the Kingdom’s developments by investing in its human capabilities, as well as following a new business model of producing high quality statistics by integrating data from multiple sources. The census project is a good example of implementing this new business model as big data sources like satellite images were used in the preparation of the census, just as well as administrative data before collecting data directly from households. He explained that the Authority had improved the quality of data of major statistical products and information provided to decision makers, exemplifying GDP figures that were available earlier than they used to be. He addressed several Saudi leaders who had worked on preparing for the Census, through a video in which they talked about the efforts made during the census operations and the roles they played. GASTAT prepared the Census project based on the best international practices as implemented in countries of the G20 and in member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), through collaboration with experts from the United Nations (UN) and various government agencies. The Authority is always keen to ensure the quality of data, by setting quality control procedures, as data is validated and processed during the data collection phase by a specialized quality control team, which communicates with a random sample of census participants to ensure the accuracy of the information. After completing the data collection phase, data analyzing will start to ensure its quality and accuracy, after which the preliminary results will be published before the end of 2022, and made available to decision-makers and researchers in the public and private sectors. This will be a record time to complete the analysis and data dissemination, while some countries take more than a full year to complete the analysis and publication process.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) announced that it has successfully completed the works of address canvassing phase in Saudi Census 2022, which has started on January 26, 2022 and ended on March 10, 2022.  “Address Canvassing” is considered an important preparatory phase and a fundamental step in the census. In this phase, all occupied and unoccupied housing units are enumerated, numbered and linked with the head of household’s identity. Preliminary data on the numbers of households’ members are collected as well through more than 14 thousand field enumerators in order to guarantee that the census is covering all housing units during the actual enumeration phase which will be implemented in early summer this year.   In the same context, GASTAT expresses its thanks and gratitude for all citizens and residents who cooperated with field enumerators during this phase. It also appreciated the efforts of all workers in the census project who have performed their tasks and duties professionally.  GASTAT stated that best international standards and practices are applied throughout the Saudi Census 2022 to assure the achievement of census goals. Modern technologies are applied for the first time in implementing the census works, including the use of satellite images to make sure that census is covering all housing units in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, field enumerators are provided with tablets to guarantee the automation of data collection process, and raise the accuracy and rapidness of work.  Furthermore, GASTAT clarified that the actual enumeration phase in Saudi Census 2022 will start around May 10th, where citizens and residents can participate in the census by choosing the self-enumeration option which allows the completion of census questionnaire electronically, or through a field enumerator visit.  GASTAT confirmed that the participation in Saudi Census is a huge opportunity for all Saudi Arabia’s population either citizens or residents, as this contributes to achieving Saudi Vision 2030, and preparing for a better future for everyone in our beloved country.  It is worth mentioning that the Ministers Cabinet has approved the reference night of the General Census of Population and Housing (1443 H/ 2022) to be on Monday May 9, 2022.

The General Authority for Statistics won the Practical and Institutional Excellence Award in Spending Efficiency within the initiatives pillar to classify periodic monthly reports submitted to the Government Expenditure and Projects Efficiency Authority.  The award was given in recognition of the outstanding efforts made by GASTAT in improving the quality of statistical projects, infrastructure planning, programs, initiatives and operations of the financial budget. In addition to achieving measurement indicators and standards in policies, plans and strategies relevant to the impact of expenditure, completing the applicable statutory procedures and continuously improving them, and adopting international best practices along with related technical applications in the statistical field through the formation of a working team in GASTAT under the name of “Spending Efficiency Team”. The team is in charge to prepare monthly periodic reports and to follow up on the relevant mechanisms and standards.  It also organizes the study of spending on projects, programs and initiatives in the statistical field and related financial aspects over the medium and long term, and their alignment with the financial sustainable goals for the coming years. In the presence of the Vice President Operations, Mr. Mohammad Al-Rasheed and the Spending Efficiency Team, Mr. Ahmed Al-Arini, Director General of Financial Affairs received the award on behalf of GASTAT. He thanked the Government Expenditure and Projects Efficiency Authority for its encouragement in such initiatives and programs that significantly contribute to achieving the future aspirations of Vision 2030. GASTAT is the only official statistical reference for statistical data and information in Saudi Arabia. It carries out all the statistical work, in addition to the technical oversight of the statistical sector. It also designs and implements field surveys, conducts statistical studies and researches, analyzes data and information, in addition to documenting and archiving all works of information and statistical data that cover all aspects of life in Saudi Arabia from its multiple sources. Data are written, classified, and analyzed; their indicators are extracted as well.

The General Authority for Statistics announced the activation of the field researcher identity verification service in the Saudi Census 2022 on “Tawakkalna”, within the list of the field researcher’s digital documents. This comes in cooperation with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), in the context of enhancing integration between government entities and strengthening efforts towards enabling digital transformation, which is one of the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.  By launching this service, the General Authority for Statistics aims to raise the level of transparency and reliability among citizens and residents, and to give the greatest degree of reassurance to the heads of households during the field researcher’s visit in the address canvassing phase, in addition to the actual census phase which will be launched on May 9, 2022, corresponding to Shawwal 8, 1443 H, in order to ensure the facilitation of field work for the "Saudi Census 2022" program. Citizens and residents will have the right to view the identification card of the field researcher through the researcher's digital documents on "Tawakkalna". The address canvassing phase will be concluded on March 3. The actual census phase of the general population and housing census for the year 1443 H/2022 will begin on Monday evening, Shawwal 8, 1443 H, corresponding to May 9, 2022, which is the reference night of the census.

His Excellency the Minister of Economy & Planning - and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) - Faisal bin Fadhil Alibrahim expressed his gratitude for the care and patronage by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, towards Saudi Arabia’s upcoming housing and population census. In relation to the received direction to commence the census on May 9, 2022 (Shawwal 8, 1443) His Excellency stated that, “The Saudi census - which GASTAT conducts every ten years - is a vital pillar for the planning and policymaking required to achieve our Vision 2030 goals.” He praised the tremendous support the census operations have received from government agencies, as well as the cooperation from citizens and residents during last year’s pilot census, all of which has contributed significantly in enhancing GASTAT’s readiness to conduct the proper census process this year.   His Excellency encourages all residents to participate in the census as part of their national duty and social responsibility, and to cooperate with field workers in providing their data as accurately as possible. The census results will directly impact policymakers’ abilities to make evidence-based decisions that contribute to better public services and urban planning, as well as enable the private sector and investors to play their part effectively in the Kingdom’s economic development. Alibrahim emphasizes GASTAT’s commitment to the highest standards of privacy and confidentiality when it comes to the collected census data. The Authority’s bylaws strictly prohibit any disclosure of citizens’ and residents’ data and private information (such as ID numbers, names or residency information). His Excellency also highlights this census’s most prominent enhancements, including developing work procedures based on international best practices used in G20 countries and member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Case in point, this will be the first census to make use of satellite imagery to ensure a more comprehensive coverage of the country’s regions and provinces that underwent incredible development since the last census in 2010. Another new procedure aided by modern technology is the fact that citizens and residents have the option to fill out the census on their own via GASTAT’s website. Nevertheless, data collection and enumeration will still be available through field workers to ensure the widest coverage of all segments of the society. Moreover, His Excellency shares that GASTAT has worked hand in hand with the Kingdom’s security authorities to employ their best practices in census operations, such as implementing secure background checks on all field enumerators and staff. Alibrahim asks everyone to cooperate with these workers, stressing that they are Saudi citizens performing an official government initiative and are enabled with all the support and protections they need to accomplish their tasks.  As with all public activities, His Excellency affirms GASTAT’s coordination and planning with the Ministry of Health to ensure that census workers always adhere to the proper precautionary measures to limit the spread of the Covid-19 virus, including fully-vaccinated field staff that are wearing masks and maintaining social distancing during household visits. Address canvassing will commence today, January 26, and is considered an essential step towards an accurate and effective census. Field staff will begin cataloguing all inhabited and uninhabited housing units within the Kingdom and placing smart census stickers. Each sticker will have a unique QR code that will link the housing unit with its respective head of the household.

As part of its statistical efforts to develop the Saudi economy and support the diversity of its sources, the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) starts today (Sunday) January 16, 2022 working on the Business Statistics Survey. The survey, which will last for 40 days, aims to provide accurate statistical data and indicators on establishments that carry out various economic activities in Saudi Arabia. GASTAT indicated that the data of Business Statistics Survey, which started today, will be collected using an E- questionnaire that should be completed by economic establishments either through the email or website, or through the statistical phone, where statistical researchers will contact establishments to complete the required data. Completing the survey data through the E- questionnaire will contribute to supporting policy and decision makers in Saudi Arabia to build a thorough system of procedures that would significantly and urgently develop and support economic activities to achieve constant growth and sustainability. GASTAT requests all economic establishments to participate in this important survey by providing accurate statistical data and indicators on economic establishments in Saudi Arabia. It also called on all economic establishments to cooperate with the statistical researcher who will contact them to complete the data required for this important economic survey, given the importance of the establishments’ data in supporting the processes of decision-making and policy setting. In a related context, GASTAT invites all establishments in both the public and private sectors along with the non-profit sector to participate in filling out the E- questionnaire of Business Statistics Survey, assuring that this survey targets all economic activities in Saudi Arabia without exception, regardless of the size, type and geographical scope of the activity. Moreover, GASTAT explained that this Survey comes within an integrated framework with all government entities related to economic activities, as the questionnaire was built according to specific statistical criteria to guarantee the provision of accurate statistical data and indicators that measure various aspects of businesses in all economic establishments in Saudi Arabia. According to the General Statistics Law issued by the Council of Ministers, GASTAT confirmed its full commitment of the very highest levels of confidentiality, adding that the data completed through E- questionnaires shall not be published under any circumstances. GASTATS is also committed to maintaining the confidentiality and privacy of data and information to be only used for statistical purposes through aggregate results and general indicators in accordance with the applicable regulations in Saudi Arabia. It is worth noting that GASTAT is the only official statistical reference for statistical data and information in Saudi Arabia. It carries out all statistical work, in addition to the technical oversight of the statistical sector. It also designs and implements field surveys, conducts statistical studies and research, analyzes data and information, in addition to the documentation and archiving of all statistical information and data that cover all aspects of life in Saudi Arabia from its multiple sources. Furthermore, GASTAT registers, classifies, and analyzes data. It extracts the data indicators as well.