The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released today the results of the Industrial Production Index (IPI) for July 2024. According to the report, the index increased by 1.6% in July 2024 compared to the same month in the previous year, July 2023. This growth was driven by the rise in manufacturing activity, electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supplies, as well as water supply, sewage, waste management, and treatment activities. The report revealed a 4.6% increase in the sub-index for manufacturing activity compared to July of the previous year, while the sub-index for mining and quarrying activity showed a decline of 0.8% in July 2024. The sub-index for electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supplies recorded an 8.2% increase, and the sub-index for water supply, sewage, waste management, and treatment activities rose by 1.1%, compared to July of the previous year. The report indicated that the oil activities index decreased by 1.1% in July 2024, while the non-oil activities index increased by 8.2% compared to the same month of the previous year. It is worth mentioning that the General Authority for Statistics issues several statistical products related to the industry, including the Industrial Production Index (IPI), which is an economic indicator that reflects the relative changes and developments in the volume of industrial production. This index is based on data from the Industrial Production Survey, which is conducted monthly and targets industrial establishments operating in key activities such as mining and quarrying, manufacturing, and electricity and gas supply.

The High-level Group for Partnership, Coordination and Capacity-Building for Statistics for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (HLG-PCCB) announced today, Thursday, September 5, 2024 that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Authority for Statistics, won the bid to host the United Nations World Data Forum in Riyadh. The decision was made after securing the majority of votes following a review of the proposals from countries competing to host the forum, showcasing their capabilities to host this global event. The announcement of the Kingdom’s win came following a meeting of the HLG-PCCB group responsible for assigning the hosting rights to the candidate countries, during which Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Aldossari, President of the General Authority for Statistics, presented the Kingdom’s bid. His presentation included an overview of GASTAT’s journey in statistical work, the transformations it has witnessed, the Kingdom's pioneering experience in hosting international events, and its ability to provide all forms of logistical support to achieve the objectives of these events. The proposal also included a suggested main topic for the forum titled “Using the Latest Technologies and Methodologies to Enhance Global Statistical Systems and Enable Sustainable Development”. In this context, Dr. Fahad Aldossari said, “Hosting this leading event by the Kingdom reflects its prominent status among nations, affirming the commitment of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud — may Allah protect them — to support the statistical sector, recognizing the pivotal role statistical data plays in supporting the implementation of comprehensive and sustainable development plans across all fields”. He added, “Winning the bid to host the United Nations World Data Forum 2026 crowns the prominent efforts in the statistical field. It also reflects the significant expansions in statistical work witnessed over recent years, driven by initiatives and projects led by the General Authority for Statistics, aiming to produce accurate and updated statistical data and indicators, through the continuous development of integrating various data sources using the best data management and governance infrastructures”.  It is noteworthy that the international data forum targets the 193 member states of the United Nations. The Kingdom’s win to host the sixth edition of the forum's activities emphasizes its pivotal role in supporting the directions aimed at providing high-quality statistical data and indicators. The forum also involves the participation of international organizations, statistical offices of the UN member states, as well as data scientists and those interested in statistics.

A delegation from the General Authority for Statistics, led by Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Aldossari , GASTAT President, met with several government officials and private sector representatives in Estonia as part of their visit to the Republic of Estonia. During the meetings, they discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the statistical field, reviewed the latest developments in statistical practices, and strengthened the exchange of expertise. It is worth noting that this visit is part of a series of reciprocal visits with statistical agencies aimed at fostering cooperation, sharing experiences, and localizing practices that add value to GASTAT’s initiatives. The delegation also aimed to demonstrate the progress in statistical work in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is supported by the generous leadership, reflecting its commitment to providing data and statistical indicators that aid in development planning and inform both the local and international community about the advancements occurring in the Kingdom across all sectors.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) announced today a 10.5% increase in non-oil exports in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the second quarter of 2023. Additionally, national non-oil exports, excluding re-exports, increased by 1.4%, while the value of re-exported goods rose by 39.1% during the same period, according to the International Trade Publication for the second quarter of 2024. The Publication's results revealed a 4.3% rise in non-oil exports, including re-exports, while merchandise exports saw a 0.2% decline in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the same quarter in 2023. Imports also decreased by 5.6%, driven by a 3.3% decrease in oil exports. The share of oil exports in total exports fell to 75.0% in the second quarter of 2024, down from 77.4% in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. The Publication also reported a 3.0% increase in the Kingdom's imports during the second quarter of 2024. As for the trade balance, the surplus decreased by 6.0% compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Compared to the first quarter of 2024, the value of merchandise exports remained stable, while the value of imports decreased by 5.6%. The trade balance surplus increased by 13.2% compared to the first quarter of 2024. Additionally, the International Trade Publication for June 2024 indicated that the value of non-oil exports (including re-exports) reached SAR 21.6 billion in June 2024, compared to SAR 20.1 billion in June 2023, an increase of SAR 1.5 billion, or 7.3%. Meanwhile, the value of oil exports amounted to SAR 66.3 billion in June 2024, compared to SAR 73.2 billion in June 2023, a decrease of SAR 6.8 billion, or 9.3%. The decline in oil exports had the greatest impact on the decrease in merchandise exports. The value of merchandise exports was SAR 87.9 billion in June 2024, compared to SAR 93.3 billion in June 2023, a decrease of SAR 5.4 billion, or 5.8%. In contrast, the value of the Kingdom's merchandise imports was SAR 57.7 billion in June 2024, compared to SAR 60.8 billion in June 2023, a decrease of SAR 3.1 billion, or 5.1%.