The annual inflation rate in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reached 2.0% in November 2024, compared to the same month last year. This inflation rate is considered one of the lowest among the G20 countries.
It is worth mentioning that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) reflects changes in the prices paid by consumers for a fixed basket of goods and services, consisting of 490 items. This basket was selected based on the results of the Household Income and Expenditure Survey conducted in 2018. The relevant prices are collected through field visits to retail outlets, and the CPI statistics for the Kingdom are published on a monthly basis.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released the 2024 Women's Health and Reproductive Care Statistics report today. According to the report's findings, the natural birth rate in the Kingdom was 71.4%, compared to 28.1% for cesarean births in the age group of 15-49 years. Additionally, the percentage of births attended by skilled health professionals was 99.6%.
The results indicated that 99.5% of women had at least one visit to a healthcare provider before childbirth. Furthermore, 66.1% of births took place in public hospitals, while 32% occurred in private hospitals.
The report's results showed that 65% of women breastfed their newborns within the first hour of birth. Additionally, 53.2% of infants were breastfed during the day prior to the visit.
The report's results revealed that 29.9% of married women are currently using any form of family planning. Furthermore, 56% of married women of reproductive age have successfully met their family planning needs using modern methods. The percentage of women who decide independently or jointly with their husbands to use contraceptive methods is 74.9%, while 89.8% of women make decisions either independently or in collaboration with their husbands regarding healthcare.
It is worth noting that the Women's Health and Reproductive Care Statistics rely on data from the Women's and Child Health Survey, which is conducted annually by the General Authority for Statistics through a sample of women in the age group of 15-49 years.

The Ministry of Education (MoE), in collaboration with the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), launched the Statistical Knowledge Program in public schools. The initiative aims to cultivate a generation equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to handle accurate data and information from reliable sources. The program seeks to empower students to confidently and professionally utilize data, enhance their research and analytical abilities, and promote statistical literacy within the school community.
The program includes the Statistical Knowledge Competition, targeting intermediate and secondary school students in public and private schools. Participants can answer a set of questions online, based on data published on GASTAT portal. Running for ten days, from Sunday, December 15, to Thursday, December 26, the competition aims to enhance research and data usage skills while fostering statistical awareness.
The Ministry encouraged students to participate by registering through GASTAT’s portal, which provides resources to assist participants in accessing the necessary data. Participants will be awarded electronic certificates acknowledging their involvement, which can also be shared on social media. Furthermore, the most interacting educational departments, determined by participant numbers, will be recognized and honored.
The Statistical Knowledge Program features a variety of activities, including utilizing school broadcasts to educate students about the importance of statistical work and its role in development. The program also includes field visits by GASTAT  representatives to schools, offering practical and enriching sessions. Additionally, it provides specialized knowledge guides covering statistical terminology, occupational classifications, and number writing policies.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) issued the Statistical Quality Assurance Framework, which provides principles and standards for collecting, processing, and publishing official statistics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The framework's provisions are based on the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics issued by the United Nations, aligned with the United Nations' Quality Assurance Framework, taking into consideration the regulation of the General Authority for Statistics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Statistical Quality Assurance Framework consists of four levels: statistical system management, institutional environment management, statistical processes, and statistical products. These levels include eighteen principles, which are further divided into a set of standards and methods that contribute to ensuring compliance with these principles.
GASTAT has made the Statistical Quality Assurance Framework available on its official website in both Arabic and English. It is designed to benefit professionals in the field of statistics, researchers, enthusiasts, as well as government and private sector institutions.
GASTAT encourages those interested to visit its online portal at (www.stats.gov.sa) to explore the Statistical Quality Assurance Framework. The authority is also open to answering any questions or providing further information, which can be obtained by contacting its representatives through the unified statistical number at (199009) or via the client support email at (info@stats.gov.sa).