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).

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in the field of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), enhance coordination, and integrate efforts between the two entities. The MoU was signed by Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Aldossari, President of GASTAT, and Mr. Eltayeb Adam, Regional Representative for UNICEF’s Gulf Area Office in Saudi Arabia, at the headquarters of GASTAT in Riyadh.
The MoU aims to foster collaboration in conducting the MICS, exchange expertise and information between the two parties, organize visits between experts and specialists in related fields, and host conferences, seminars, and workshops related to the survey.
In this context, Dr. Fahad Aldossari, President of GASTAT, emphasized that GASTAT's statistical work is driven by Saudi Arabia's regional leadership in the field of statistics, achieved through the development and measurement of statistical indicators. He also noted that collaboration with UNICEF supports efforts in conducting relevant surveys and achieving the objectives of national visions and sustainable development. This is accomplished through joint efforts to enhance performance, particularly in the exchange of statistical data, and to promote cooperation between the two organizations.
It is worth mentioning that GASTAT serves as the official body responsible for statistical activities in Saudi Arabia, acting as the sole authoritative reference for conducting statistical work and overseeing its technical and organizational aspects. GASTAT's duties include collecting statistical data and information from public and private entities and individuals and analyzing and studying this data to calculate various statistical indicators. Additionally, GASTAT provides statistical consultations, reports, and services related to surveys, research, and other statistical functions as part of its mandate.