In response to an invitation from the Authority of Statistics and Geographic Information System (ASGIS), Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Aldossari, President of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), participated in the national conference to announce the core results of the general population and housing census 2024 in the Republic of Iraq. The conference, held in Baghdad, was part of the announcement of the opening of the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning, His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Ali Tamim, about the results of the first national census of the population in Iraq. This event is of great national importance and will shed light on Iraq's economic, social and political future, as well as provide an accurate picture of population distribution to help in developing better plans and policies for sustainable development, supporting decision-making, and achieving the targeted future visions of the Republic of Iraq.

During his participation in a dialogue session titled "Turning Census Results into Work: Lessons Learned from Global Experiences," Dr. Aldossari explained that GASTAT has strived to keep pace with the comprehensive transformations witnessed by the Kingdom under Saudi Vision 2030. Since the launch of the vision, data quality and accuracy have significantly improved, integration and collaboration among government entities have increased, and the digital infrastructure in the Kingdom has evolved, enabling GASTAT to follow the best global methodologies and benefit from the latest technologies in implementing the Saudi Census of 2022 using satellite imagery, self-counting technology, and modern methods for issuing statistical data.

In the same context, Dr. Fahad Aldossari stated that the focus on modernizing statistical systems aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, prioritizing technological innovation and data-driven governance. He emphasized that Saudi Arabia's investment is based on the belief that technological advancement is not just a means to improve efficiency and accuracy, but a fundamental pillar in transforming statistical centers into strategic tools that support decision-makers in developing data-driven economic and social policies.
It is worth noting that the Kingdom is participating in the national conference to announce the core results of the general census of population and housing in 2024 in the Republic of Iraq, hosted in Baghdad by GASTAT, in the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning of the Republic of Iraq, His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Ali Tamim, the Minister of Planning for the Kurdistan Regional Government, His Excellency Dr. Dara RashId, along with several ministers, parliament members, heads of authorities, the representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, international agencies, accredited ambassadors in Iraq, Arab statistical agencies' heads, experts, and speakers in statistical fields. The significance of the population census for the Republic of Iraq lies in being the first of its kind after 37 years, a significant step in providing an accurate statistical database used as a reliable basis for shaping economic and social policies, supporting decision-makers in developing developmental plans for various sectors in the Republic of Iraq, and providing local and international investors with accurate data to encourage investment in line with Iraq's future goals and visions.
Furthermore, a delegation from the Authority of Statistics and Geographic Information SVystem (ASGIS) had visited GASTAT in June 2024 to learn about the Saudi statistical experience, especially regarding the general population and housing census (Saudi Census 2022). The visit aimed to discuss enhancing opportunities for cooperation in statistical fields and other areas of mutual interest. The visit confirmed the fraternal relations and efforts to exchange experiences in statistical work between the two countries and benefit from Saudi Arabia's leading experience in the population census, emphasizing the desire to develop mutual statistical cooperation and strengthen ties to maximize the benefits of advancements in statistical work.
 

The annual inflation rate in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reached 2.0% in January 2025 compared to the previous year. The inflation rate in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is considered one of the lowest inflation rates among the G20 countries.

It is worth mentioning that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) reflects changes in 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 a household expenditure and income survey conducted in 2018. Prices are collected through field visits to sales points, and statistics of CPI in the Kingdom are published on a monthly basis.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ranked first among the G20 countries according to the data of those countries in the Global SDG Indicators Database, compared to the results of the Safety Index for the year 2023, issued by the General Authority for Statistics today. The results showed that 92.6% of the total population feels safe when walking alone at night in their residential areas.The released results underscored the contributions of relevant government sectors in maintaining the safety experienced by residents across all regions and governorates of the Kingdom. This aligns with ongoing initiatives to enhance security, stability, and quality of life in Saudi Arabia across various domains, including economic, food, environmental, health, social, political, intellectual, technological, and cybersecurity safety, and others. Additionally, these efforts aim to improve service quality in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Notably, Saudi Arabia topped the G20 countries in the 2020 Sustainable Development Report for achieving the highest Safety Index. The Neighborhood Safety Index Publication is a key output of the 2023 Household Socio-economic Survey, which includes various indicators covering economic, social, and household aspects in the Kingdom. It also measures the rate of residents who feel safe walking alone in their residential areas.

Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Aldossari, President of the General Authority for Statistics, received Mr. Stefan Schweinfest, Director of the United Nations Statistics Division, at GASTAT’s headquarters in Riyadh. The discussions focused on strengthening collaboration in statistical data and addressing several shared interests.
The meeting covered GASTAT’s participation in the 56th session of the Statistical Commission in March 2025, along with its preparations to host the Sixth United Nations World Data Forum in Riyadh in 2026. They also reviewed GASTAT’s initiatives to enhance Saudi Arabia’s statistical database, its leading role in developing statistical products, methodologies for calculating indicators, and governance frameworks.
This meeting was part of the GASTAT’s efforts to enhance cooperation and exchange expertise with regional and international statistical centers and organizations, facilitate knowledge transfer, showcase the progress of the statistical sector in Saudi Arabia, and explore strategies for developing human and institutional statistical capacities. It also aimed to highlight key statistical activities and improve their quality in line with best international practices.
It is worth noting that the United Nations Statistics Division is committed to advancing the global statistical system. It collects and publishes international statistical data, develops standards and frameworks for statistical activities, and supports countries in strengthening their national statistical systems. The division also provides support to the United Nations Statistical Commission, which serves as the principal body of the global statistical system.