News

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released the flash estimates of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the fourth quarter of 2024. According to GASTAT’s estimates, the real GDP achieved a growth of 4.4% in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the same period of the previous year, marking the highest growth rate in the last two years, supported by the growth of key economic activities. Non-oil activities recorded an increase of 4.6%, while oil activities grew by 3.4%. Additionally, government activities rose by 2.2% compared to the same period of the previous year. The results also showed that the seasonally adjusted real GDP increased by 0.3% in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of the same year.

It is worth mentioning that  the quarterly flash estimates of GDP provide an assessment of the real growth rates shortly after the reference quarter ends, even when the data for that quarter is still incomplete. GASTAT will publish the actual real GDP results for the fourth quarter of 2024 in March 2025.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) launches the Innovation Lab today, Monday, January 20, 2025, as the first specialized innovation lab in statistics in the Kingdom. The lab aims to enhance community partnerships with researchers and stakeholders in the statistics and data science fields from universities, statistical associations, research centers, and innovation hubs. This initiative empowers the engagement in statistical innovation, reflecting GASTAT’s efforts to keep pace with economic and social changes in society and continuously innovate in metrics and indicators. This supports the delivery of high-quality and accurate statistical readings and products to help achieve the comprehensive and sustainable development goals that align with Saudi Vision 2030.

The Innovation Lab focuses on identifying statistical topics for research and sharing them with the target groups by inviting participation requests. These requests are reviewed by specialized teams, who work together with the GASTAT’s team to create an initial project proposal and evaluate its outcomes, aiming to incorporate it into the statistical production process. After receiving research applications through the statistical innovation platform and selecting the candidates, joint teams are formed between the applicants and the GASTAT’s experts to refine the project idea within six weeks. To strengthen this collaboration, the Innovation Lab will include an innovative solution in statistical products after evaluation by the technical committee.

The Innovation Lab projects will play an effective role in the development of statistical work in the Kingdom. This will be reflected in advancing statistical methodologies, coming up with data, indicators and products that read the current economic and social reality, and enabling community innovation in GASTAT’s products.

GASTAT invites those interested in applying for the proposed projects to review all details and the participation mechanism through its official portal (Statistical Innovation Platform) by visiting the following link:https://www.stats.gov.sa/web/guest/innovation-platform.

It welcomes all inquiries and requests for information through contacting the representatives at the unified statistical phone number (199009) or via email at customer support (info@stats.gov.sa) or the Innovation Lab email (innovationlab@stats.gov).

Preliminary results indicate a 7.9% increase in the Industrial Production Index (IPI) in June 2025 compared to the same month of the previous year (June 2024), according to IPI publication for June 2025 issued by GASTAT. 
The sub-index of mining and quarrying activity increased by 6.0% year on year, while the sub-index of manufacturing activity increased by 11.1%. The sub-index of electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply activity recorded an annual increase of 5.6%, and the sub-index of water supply, sewerage and waste management and remediation activities increased by 6.9%, compared to June 2024. By main economic activities, the results indicate that the index of oil activities in June 2025 increased by 7.7%, and the index of non-oil activities increased by 8.6%,  the publication noted.

It is worth noting that GASTAT publishes the Industrial Production Index (IPI) monthly. The IPI is an economic indicator that reflects the relative changes in the volume of industrial output, based on data from the Industrial Production Survey, which is conducted on a sample of industrial establishments engaged in the targeted activities: mining and quarrying, manufacturing, electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply, and water supply, sewerage and waste management and remediation activities.

The United Nations (UN) announced the election of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), as co-chair of Working Group on Data Governance (WGDG) of the UN Statistical Commission led by GASTAT’s President, Fahad Aldossari. This step signifies the expanding international recognition of the Kingdom's preeminent role in advancing digital transformation and the development of official data and statistical governance policies. This announcement comes as part of the Kingdom's commitment to supporting global efforts and working with international partners to build a secure and reliable digital future. The aim is to boost confidence in the international community and provide accurate statistics that support development policies and decision-making, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
This group serves as an international platform and a central tool for global coordination on data governance. It helps to establish common terminology, facilitate the exchange of national best practices and expertise at regional and international levels, and create a guiding framework for organizing and using data sources. These efforts enhance transparency, serve sustainable development goals, develop foundational principles and leverage existing initiatives to define global and regional data governance principles and their applicability to official data and statistics.
The Kingdom's membership will contribute to fostering a secure and reliable global statistical data environment, driving innovation, and enabling communities to maximize its value to support economic and social development. It will also help in drafting international data governance standards and policies, in addition to benefiting from the exchange of the latest international practices and developing initiatives that enhance innovation and cooperation among member states.
It is worth noting that WGDG was established this year and held its first meeting with GASTAT’s President, Fahad Aldossari participating as co-chair. The meeting focused on discussing the timeline for the group's work, its roles, and its key tasks.