GASTAT: The total number of pilgrims in 1439H Hajj season reached (2.371.675) pilgrims On Monday, the ninth of Dhu-Al-Hijjah, the General Authority for Statistics announced the results of 1439H Hajj statistics. The total number of pilgrims reached (2.371.675) pilgrims, (1.758.722) of whom came from outside Saudi Arabia, whereas (612.953) came from inside Saudi Arabia.  However, the total number of male pilgrims reached (1.327.127) pilgrims, while female pilgrims reached (1.044.548) pilgrims.  With respect to the pilgrims arriving from outside Saudi Arabia, GCC pilgrims reached (34.140) pilgrims with (1.9) %, but the number of pilgrims from Arab countries apart from GCC pilgrims reached (395.410) pilgrims with (22.5) %, whereas the number of pilgrims from Asian countries apart from Arab countries reached (1.049.496) pilgrims with (59.7) %. In addition, the number of pilgrims from African countries apart from Arab countries reached (166.083) pilgrims with (9.5) %. However, the number of pilgrims from European countries reached (88.601) pilgrims with (5.0) %, whereas the number of pilgrims from North America, South America, and Australia reached (24.992) pilgrims with (1.4) %. Moreover, (1.656.936) pilgrims who came from outside Saudi Arabia arrived through air ports, and (85.623) of whom arrived through land ports. However, (16.163) pilgrims arrived through sea ports.  Additionally, the pilgrims’ arrival to Saudi Arabia was at different periods of time. (557.282) of pilgrims coming from outside Saudi Arabia at the beginning of hajj until the 18th of Dhu AL-Qidah, and (744.903) of pilgrims arrived between 19-29 of Dhu AL-Qidah. Moreover, (456.537) of pilgrims continued to arrive to Saudi Arabia during the time period from 1 to 8 of Dhu AL-Hijjah. Regarding the pilgrims who came from inside Saudi Arabia whose numbers reached (612.953) pilgrims this year, the total number of pilgrims arriving from the cities and governorates of Saudi Arabia reached (239.962), (372.991) of whom are from the city of Makkah including the temporary residents during the hajj season, (401.217) are Non-Saudi pilgrims, and (211.736) are Saudi pilgrims. GASTAT has enumerated the pilgrims arriving to Makkah from inside Saudi Arabia (Saudis and Non-Saudis) through the hajj statistics centers located in the entrances of Makkah. In addition, the percentage of pilgrims arriving to Makkah from inside Saudi Arabia through Jeddah/Makkah road reached (38.2) %, (29.4) % arrived through AL-Shrae’a/Makkah road, and (17.8) % arrived through Makkah/Medina road. Moreover, (14.6) % arrived through the other three roads which are the South/Makkah road, Taif/Makkah road, and the old Jeddah/Makkah road. GASTAT illustrated in its results of hajj statistics of this year that the seventh, eighth and ninth days of Dhu AL-Hijjah have witnessed an arrival reached (86.8) % out of the total number of pilgrims who came from inside Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, the number of vehicles carrying pilgrims from inside Saudi Arabia reached (32.289) vehicles. As for the number of the labor force of entities that provided their services to pilgrims from all sectors, the numbers of governmental entities’ labor force reached more than 287.300 persons representing some governmental and private entities which participated in providing more than 215 main services and sub-services. Supervision and follow-up services were provided by 7310 male and female supervisors from 6 entities. However, public services were provided by 192.254 employees from 19 different entities, whereas health services were provided by 32.579 employees from 3 entities. Furthermore, the number of the labor force in transportation and post services, as well as logistic services (shipping, post and supply) that Saudi Arabia provides to pilgrims reached 47.765 employees working in seven entities, while ICT services were provided by 7.411 employees from 4 different entities.  On the other hand, his excellency the president of GASTAT, Dr.Fahad Altekhaifi thanked all the governmental security entities that supported GASTAT to implement its task in the hajj statistics of this year. He also praised the work of more than 450 statistical researchers who completed their assigned tasks for the hajj of this year after working 24/7 starting from the beginning of this month until the sunset of the day of Arafah.  Dr.Altekhaifi assured that all the details related to hajj statistics of the year 1439H have been published along with this announcement through the statistical hajj map and the detailed bulletin for hajj statistics which include more than (40) statistical outputs on GASTAT official website www.stats.gov.sa to provide accurate and detailed statistics, data and information about the number of pilgrims from inside and outside Saudi Arabia to help and support the concerned entities in their future planning programs for the purpose of ensuring the necessary services for pilgrims., including all social, health, security, food and transportation services by using time series of accurate data about the number of pilgrims, estimating the necessary labor force to serve the pilgrims and maintain their safety and comfort during the hajj season every year, examining the equipment and the main utilities in the city of Holy Makkah and its Holy places with taking that into consideration when preparing the necessary plans, in addition to supporting the researchers and beneficiaries who are interested in this field, evaluating the activities and the events arranged by the concerned entities of serving the pilgrims, and identifying the change in the way of arrival. The statistical map and bulletin includes accurate and comprehensive data and information about the number of pilgrims according to the ways and dates of arrival. It also includes a number of main tables and charts such as: the number of pilgrims from inside Saudi Arabia according to gender and the way of arrival, the arrival of the Saudi pilgrims according to the way of arrival and nationality, comparing the number of the Non-Saudi pilgrims who came from inside Saudi Arabia in the years 1438H and 1439H by nationality, the number of vehicles carrying pilgrims who came from inside Saudi Arabia to the city of Makkah by vehicle type and the date of arrival, pilgrims from outside Saudi Arabia distributed according to gender and the way of arrival, pilgrims from outside Saudi Arabia distributed according to gender and the date of arrival, and comparing the numbers of pilgrims coming from outside in the years 1438H and 1439Haccording to the way of arrival. By the end of the Hajj statistical works, GASTAT wishes that God accepts the pilgrims’ hajj and wishes success to all governmental and security entities and to other entities in Saudi Arabia to serve distinguished services and come out with a safe and distinct hajj season.

15.927 “Mobile” cell towers in Makkah, Medina and the Holy Places in addition to 460 sale points for mobile SIM cards ‘’GASTAT’’: More Than 7.400 Employees to Provide Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Services for Hajj Season of This Year On Friday 6th of Dhu Al-hijjah, the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) published the related data of ICT services provided by Saudi Arabia to pilgrims within the statistical calendar of 1439 H Hajj season. The statistical calendar showed that the total number of employees providing ICT services this year reached 7.411 employees who work 24/7 in order to deliver adequate and improved services. Moreover, these services are supervised by the Communications and Information Technology Commission in accordance with authorized service providers. On the other hand, the number of branch offices of telecom services reached 69 offices in Makkah this year, and the total number of 2G, 3G and 4G cell towers was 15.972 towers and that is to ensure and extend the coverage of mobile network and data in Makkah, Mina, Muzdalifah, Arafat, Medina and at the Holy Mosque. Additionally, telecom and internet services are available at all air, land and sea ports as well as all roads to serve pilgrims at anytime and anywhere. The percentage of increase in the number of 4G cell towers was at 42.90% at the Holy Mosque, 24.40% in Makkah, 106.00% at the holy places, and 24.50% in Medina. More importantly, the percentage of increase of 4G network capacity at the peak hours for this season reached 80.00% at the Holy Mosque, 84.00% in Makkah, 182.00% at the holy places, and 36.30% in Medina.   It is worth mentioning that within the developmental works of serving pilgrims, the number of base stations ‘’cell towers’’ increased to nearly 3000 cell towers in Makkah and Medina compared to last year. Concerned bodies have also worked on providing wireless internet services by using Wi-Fi technology where the access points of this year reached 3000 points. The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology has launched ‘’Smart Hajj’’ application this year on ‘’Saudi’’ portal to provide digital services. Moreover, the ministry has also made a list of the distinguished interactive apps in order to identify Hajj rituals and to help pilgrims to benefit from technology when moving between the holy places. Also, the ministry has put a number of guidelines, health apps and some government applications that may help pilgrims and Umrah performers in Makkah and Medina.  On the other hand, the Communications and Information Technology Commission branch in Makkah periodically checks the sound and internet indicators, ensures their effectiveness, scans the frequency bands of mobile networks at the Two Holy Mosques as well as the connected highways between Makkah, Jeddah and Medina to ensure the quality of mobile services. It also deals with any harmful interference that may affect the performance of the network and allows the use of frequencies of each mobile service provider to increase the capacity of the network and improve the level of services provided to pilgrims in Makkah, Medina and the holy places. Saudi Arabia's telecommunications companies have more than 460 sales points available at the holy places to provide SIM cards, data SIM cards and recharge cards, as well as providing technical support centres with various languages to serve the pilgrims. GASTAT has included this data and its details in the statistical calendar of 1439 H Hajj season, which was set in order to publish all the statistics related to Hajj services provided by governmental entities to pilgrims, on its official website www.stats.gov.sa .

13.909 flights, and more than 600.000 bus trips “statistics” : More than 47.700 employees providing the services of transport, post, shipping, and supply to pilgrims On Thursday, the 5th of Dhu-Al-Hijjah 1439 H, the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) has clarified within the statistical calendar of 1439 H Hajj season published on its official website that the number of labor force in the transportation and post services, as well as the logistic services (shipping, post, and supplies) provided by Saudi Arabia to pilgrims reached 47.765 employees who work in seven sectors specialized in the services of land and air transport, in addition to the services of shipping, post, and supplies. On the level of air transport, which is supervised by the Civil Aviation Authority, the total number of international and domestic flights prepared for transferring pilgrims reached 13.909 flights. In Jeddah, the number of international and domestic flights from and to King Abdulaziz International Airport reached 7.255 flights, whereas as Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Medina registered 6.654 international and domestic flights. On the other hand, more than 1.369 employees in Jeddah airport and more than 809 employees in Medina airport started to work twenty four seven since the beginning of Dhu-Al-Qida  in order to provide pilgrims who arrive by plane  with all services they need. Their work will last until the mid of next Muharram. The airport services include: maintaining the safety of passengers, organizing the planes movement, observing the performance of electrical and technical systems at airports, ensuring the arrival of luggage, and keeping the airport facilities clean. It is worth mentioning that the terminal of pilgrims in King Abdulaziz International Airport receives about 50.000 pilgrims daily.   The terminals of Hajj and Umrah can receive 3800 arrivals per hour, and 3500 departures. However, the waiting areas can take up to 7000 passengers in the arrival terminal, and 12.000 passengers in the areas outside the terminal. The new terminal can take more than 91,000 arrivals and 84.000 departures per day. Those terminals can operate 312 flights which means 13 flights per hour.    In terms of sea transport, which is supervised by the General Ports Authority, more than 300 employees work at Jeddah Islamic Port to facilitate for the arrival of pilgrims, reduce the period of their checkout procedures, and equip facilities that serve and receive pilgrims from the first moment of their arrival to the port until they leave. The port started to receive pilgrims coming by sea from the mid of Dhu al-Qida and lasts until the fourth of Dhu al-Hijjah where 17 trips were scheduled on three ferries. The arrival terminal may receive more than 800 pilgrims per hour. As for the transport by buses, there are 600.000 bus trips to transfer pilgrims in the holly places by using 18.700 buses during the days of Hajj. There are also more than 43.786 employees, supervisors, and drivers to control the process of transferring pilgrims by buses from the General Cars Syndicate and the Higher Commission for Controlling Pilgrims Transportation which work on setting a system that ensures determining the responsibility of the safety of cars that are used to transfer pilgrims, insuring all buses, making sure that all buses have undergone technical and safety check in the motor vehicles periodic inspection stations, making field visits to the sites of pilgrims transportation companies to check the buses that passed the periodic inspection , operating the buses and violations registration system, in addition to all data of buses including the type of bus, license number, body number, and the bus brand.  Furthermore, they also work on following-up the operation of buses at airports, ports, and road rest areas, direction and Tafweej centres, and support centres.  They also follow-up the pilgrims transfer between Makkah, Jeddah, and Medina, in addition to observing the buses malfunctions, and following accidents- once they occur, coordinating with the concerned entities to check the procedures, making sure that all signs guiding to Hajj cities are available and that there is a driver for each bus, and coordinate with those who are responsible for guiding buses.  As for the track of transporting pilgrims by train, Makkah Development Authority has prepared the train to transfer more than two million pilgrims through more than one thousand trips within seven days. It also prepared nine stations distributed among Arafah, Mina, and Muzdalifah, with 60 entrance and exit gates.  In terms of the logistic services (express post, shipping, warehousing, and supplies) provided to pilgrims, more than 535 employees from the Saudi Post are working in 96 post offices in Makkah, Medina, and the holly places, equipped with 60 cars and 50 motorcycles. They work all day and night during the Hajj season. Post services include: pilgrims’ postal parcels that reduces carrying heavy weights by pilgrims when they transfer.  The services provided to pilgrims also include the service of selling ponds of “Hadi” and “Adhahi” during Hajj, in cooperation with the Saudi project to benefit from Hadi and Adhahi through the sale points in all Saudi Arabia’ post offices, or in the temporary locations of sale in Makkah, Medina, and the holly places. However, the total number of postal parcels that have been sent and received during the previous Hajj season reached 54.804 parcels.   For more information about the details of services provided by Saudi Arabia to pilgrims, please visit the statistical calendar of 1439H Hajj season on the official website of GASTAT www.stats.gov.sa

Including 25 hospitals, 153 health care centers, and  959 ambulance and medical teams “Statistics”:  More Than 32,500 Employees Provide Medical and Health Services to Pilgrims in 1439 H  Hajj Season On Wednesday, the 4th of  Dhu- Al hijjah 1439 H, The General Authority  for Statistics  (GASTAT) announced within the  statistical calendar  of 1439 H Hajj season,  published on  its official website www.stats.gov.sa ,  that the number of workforce provide health and ambulance services for pilgrims this season amounted to more than 31.571 capita (including 9.216 women) of the Ministry of Health,  Saudi Red Crescent Authority  and Saudi Food and Drug Authority members, as well as the workforce that  provide health services of security and military sectors members.  As well, the total number of medical and ambulance teams  in holy places during  Hajj season is more than 959 medical and ambulance teams providing their services to the pilgrims. Furthermore, GASTAT has pointed out through its daily bulletin in the statistical calendar of  1439 H Hajj season that Saudi Arabia harnessed its all financial and human potential in the field of health, curative, preventive and emergency services, such as free specialized health services enhanced by the Ministry of Health with more than 29.495 specialized medical staffs include:  doctors, pharmacists, nurses, technicians and administrators . Moreover,  the health services provided  to pilgrims include the following: open-heart surgery, cardiac catheterization, dialysis including both hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD), digestive endoscopies, in addition to  birth deliveries and other specialized medical services needed by pilgrim patients, where the number of operating hospitals totaled 25 hospitals in Makkah and holy places.  It is noteworthy that the number of health centers reached 153 centers that equipped  with all  health, medical and ambulatory potential, in addition to, 106 field teams in holy places as well as inside and outside Makkah, 100 small ambulances operating as mobile intensive care units in order to handle field ambulatory emergencies and 80  highly-equipped big  ambulances. Ministry of Health hospitals, since the beginning of Dhul-Qa'dah till the first of Dhul-Hijjah, in terms of services provided to the pilgrims,  have conducted 142 cardiac catheterization procedures, 9 open-heart surgeries, 761 dialysis ( hemodialysis HD ) ,39  endoscopy procedures, in addition to other 568 surgeries during the same period. Moreover, The Saudi Red Crescent Authority  has allocated 127 temporary and permanent rescue centers, 361 ambulances, 20 bicycles, and more than 1861 people for the emergency teams and workforce within the area of  Makka, Medina and Holy places,  to provide all emergency and medical services to pilgrims.  In addition to, all health and ambulance staff works in Makkah 24 hours a day,  until Sunday, 15 Dhu Hijjah, where the concerned entities have developed integrated programs and plans which include:  providing all needs and possibilities to handle emergencies and disasters, and providing medical, preventive, therapeutic as well as ambulatory services to pilgrims, Umrah  performers and Makkak as well as Prophet's Mosque visitors. These services are provided efficiently, effectively  and according to a unified methodology,  with latest methods of medical and ambulance care as well as  with qualified cadre with practical and scientific training, to achieve the health security of holy places and  the Two Holy Mosques visitors,  access roads, and air as well as sea ports. It should be recalled that these services are not limited to ground service through ambulances, but also including the Saudi Air Ambulance, motorcycles, rapid response specialized team, field teams in in the Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque as well as surrounding squares depending on available human resources, in addition to a constellation of volunteers (males and females). On the other hand, The Saudi Food and Drug Authority(SFDA)  handling supervisory  tasks on (food, drugs and medical equipment as well as products) with pilgrims and Hajj missions as well as supporting supervisory entities responsible for the inspection of facilities that provide meals to pilgrims in Makkah, Medina and the holy places. It is worth mentioning that SFDA provides seven major services including:  inspection of food, drugs and medical equipment as well as products coming through ports, health surveillance of food facilities located in the scope of Holy  Makkah Municipality and Al Medina Regional Municipality, health inspection of  sacrifices slaughtered in slaughterhouse in Mina place  , conducting field studies of food safety,  raising awareness during Hajj season of  the safety of food, drugs and medical equipment as well as products, in addition to inspection of transportation means entering Makkah and holy placess.    For more information related to statistical services provided by Saudi Arabia to the pilgrims, GASTAT has provided plenty of details in Hajj statistical calendar 1439 H, published on its official website www.stats.gov.sa

With more than 7300 supervisors, and 1480 vehicles in the field “Statistics” Six Governmental Entities Integrate with Each Other to Provide Supervision and Follow-up Services to Guarantee the Success of 1439 H Hajj Season TheGeneral Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) announced today in the statistical calendar of 1439 H Hajj season published on its official website www.stats.gov.sa that the number of the workforce that provides supervision and follow-up services to pilgrims reached more than 7300 supervisors and observers, including more than 160 women. Six governmental entities provide the supervision and follow-up services; Makkah Region Emirate, Medina Emirate, Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Ministry of Commerce and Investment, Control and Investigation Board, and Ministry of Labour and Social Development. These entities have many supervision tasks such as:  general supervision on all services provided in Hajj from all government entities, coordination with different government entities, making sure that all necessary preparations related to Hajj season are available, developing necessary plans to address any faults or notices in order to prevent them in the Hajj season, follow-up and coordination of the procedures related to the projects' implementation and services provision in the sites related to Hajj and Umrah in Medina Region, Supervising the work of the office units and committees that carry out field tasks related to the matters of pilgrims and Umrah performers, Participating in the committees, studies and research related to the works of Hajj and Umrah, Verification of arrival procedures completion speed in the land, sea, and air ports, making sure that the pilgrims are heading directly to their residences in Makkah and Medina, Supervision on the performance of the entities working in the ports which are supervised by the ministry (pilgrims guide institutions, agencies unified office, General Cars Syndicate, Pilgrims buses guidance bureau) and monitoring the failure, monitoring any direct development, Supervising the operations of transferring pilgrims from the air, land and sea ports to Makkah and Medina to be safe and easy,  Inspection of Pilgrims' residences in Makkah and Madinah and address deficiencies if any,  Follow-up the availability of quantities of goods, basic food supply and main meals in Makkah, Medina ,Jeddah, Taif and the holy places, follow up the availability of quantities in the suppliers and traders of food supply, basic supplies, national factories and the quantities of goods associated with them imported from Jeddah Islamic Port and other ports, monitoring the inventory and follow-up its availability in sufficient quantities to meet any potential increase in demand, or the occurrence of emergencies requiring food supply  with continuous supplying without obstacles, Increasing the supervision on shops to ensure the quality of food commodities offered ,their suitability for consumption and its conformity to the standard specifications,  supervision of the services provided to pilgrims in the ports of entry and ports of departure by land, sea and air, Comprehensive control over the services provided in the Hajj,  Participation with the committee of sites distribution and clearance of government entities in the holy places, Follow up the arrival of seasonal labor through air, land and sea ports, Follow up seasonal labor during the Hajj season and make sure of their workplaces and places of residence, Follow-up facilities with seasonal visas and the application of regulations against any violation, as well as  providing social care for children and elderly in care centers.   The supervision and follow-up work of the concerned governmental entities includes both office work and the field work, as the total number of vehicles assigned to these tasks in the field reached more than 1480 vehicles, including custom equipment, cars, and motorcycles equipped with more than 2320 wireless devices for direct communication. The 1439 Hajj Statistical Calendar, published by the General Authority for Statistics, contains details of these statistics, it can be accessed through the official website of the GASTAT.

19 Government and Private Entities Providing more than 136 Main Services to Pilgrims “Statistics”: More than 192.200 Male and Female Employees Working Around the Clock to Serve the Pilgrims in the Field of Public Services On Tuesday 3rd of Dhul Hijjah, 1439H, the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) announced more than 136 main services in the field of public services within the statistical calendar of the Hajj season this year. It includes: secretariats and municipalities activities , control and inspection services, electricity and water services, religious and information awareness, security services, preparing ports to receive pilgrims, issuing Hajj licenses for pilgrims coming from inside Saudi Arabia, civil affairs services, in addition to other supportive services.  Through the statistical calendar published on its official website, GASTAT stated that the total number of labor force providing public services reached 192.254 male and female employees, 189.113 of them are men and 3.141 are women who works around the clock during all the days of the Hajj season. Whereas the number of equipment and machinery used for this service reached 59.741 equipment and machinery, 7.956 cars, 1.583 motorcycles, 13.349 wireless devices, and 3.760 computers.   The security services provided to the pilgrims are the most important public services provided by the "Public Security". It implements the security and traffic plans and the maintenance of public order in Makkah, the Holy Places and Madinah. The number of police stations in Makkah and the holy Places reached 52, whereas the number of traffic centers is 280, in addition to 75 security control centers stationed at the borders and entrances of Makkah and the Holy Places.  The General Directorate of Passports works, through more than 5.000 employees who works as officers, personnel and technicians, to prepare the ports to receive pilgrims and provide necessary services until the completion of the procedures for their departure to their countries through 7 land ports, 3 air ports and 2 sea ports. In addition, the Saudi Customs also provide custom services and reception and farewell services to pilgrims through labor force exceeding 2000 employees. Moreover, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture is present at the same ports through 14 quarantine rooms to inspect animal and plant consignments coming to Makkah and Madinah. In the field of providing civil defence services, approximately 15.000 of the General Directorate of Saudi Civil Defence staff works to implement preventive awareness programs as soon as pilgrims come to Saudi Arabia from their countries and ensure the availability and completion of safety requirements in their places of residence in Makkah, Madinah and Holy Places. In addition, they provide civil defence basic work such as firefighting, rescue, ambulance, evacuation operations, etc. The number of civil defence centres inside the Holy Places reached 105, in addition to 556 preventive supervision points, contingency units and support units. Moreover, there are 64 centres in Makkah, 30 centres in Madinah, and 25 centres of civil defence at the border entry ports and main roads.  In the field of providing and enabling government entities to use technology, the National Information Center, through more than 1.355 technicians and administrators, provides and prepares tablets to read the electronic Hajj permits in the sites of screening and security control at the entrances of Makkah. It also prepares and operates all Hajj entry points in all regions of Saudi Arabia, screening sites and security control sites at the entrances of Makkah by devices, fingerprint stations, different types of printers, and information transmission circuits using modern technologies.  The Civil Affairs also provide their services through electronic services and through their presence in 10 Civil Affairs’ offices in Makkah and Madinah. The services include, the issuance and cancelation of Hajj permits for the pilgrims coming from inside Saudi Arabia and the registration of births and deaths incidents of pilgrims who are residents or coming from outside Saudi Arabia. In order to highlight the pilgrimage and its importance, and to transfer its work to all countries of the world, the media and awareness services emerges. The Ministry of Media prepares Media centres in ( the Holy Places, Madinah and Jeddah). In addition, it carries out the work of supervision and approval of publications that the official and private entities, diplomatic missions and Hajj missions wish to distribute to pilgrims. Furthermore, it controls different publications that comes with the pilgrims through the ports of Saudi Arabia, Monitor publications published in Arabic and foreign newspapers, prepare daily reports on Hajj matters, coordinate with the press organizations to issue press supplements for pilgrims in a number of languages and supervise their distribution at the ports and the places of pilgrims, host a number of media professionals from Arab and Islamic countries to cover Hajj. Whereas the Saudi Press Agency broadcasts reports, news and surveys of interest to pilgrims, highlight the Hajj journey, highlight the efforts of the government of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques in serving the pilgrims, highlight the efforts on services and accomplishments, make press interviews with Hajj missions and pilgrims, translate all this by broadcasting hundreds of news , reports and press interviews to visual, audio and print media on the website of (SPA agency) and social media and other types of media. It is broadcasted in six languages (Arabic, English, French, Russian, Chinese and Persian). The Saudi Broadcasting Authority has a staff of up to 1000 employees, including media specialists, administrators and technicians, to broadcast the Hajj rituals through two satellite channels and five radio stations. In addition, the General Commission for Audiovisual Media regulates and facilitates the rituals of Hajj through 134 satellite channels, 18 radio stations, in addition to providing permits for foreign media missions, issues permits for foreign channels, issues filming permits for local production companies, ffacilitates the work of all media involved in covering Hajj rituals.  In addition, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance provides its services through 2.824 employee who organize various Dawah activities and answer religious inquiries via free telephone, which reaches 57,000 calls during the Hajj season. In the field of guidance and support services, the Saudi Arabian Scouts Association works through 3000 scouts to guide lost pilgrims and guide them to their locations, distributes Quraan, books and educational materials, contributes in organizing pilgrims while they are at the sites of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, regulates the random selling points, food supply stores, barber shops and peddlers, stops  violators jointly with Makkah Municipality team, Organizes the entry of pilgrims and directs them inside health facilities, helps those who need transport by carts and guides them to their destinations, supports the Ministry of Health,  pilgrims Tafweej from the pilgrims offices to Aljamarat, issues guides and maps for all government entities in Mina,  ‘Arafat, Makkah (Azizia) and Madinah (center area). The number of scout teams participating this year reached 370 scout teams. In addition, the Institute of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for Hajj and Umrah Research works to provide research and studies services in order to develop an integrated information system to support decision makers in the field of Hajj and Umrah through 200 employees working in the Hajj season. The institute issued 42 research and organized 18 specialized scientific research. Regarding the preparation of Makkah and Holy Places facilities, the Development of Makkah Region Authority worked on shading the pedestrian ramp from Azizia to the Jamarat facility, shading the slopes of the train stations , maintenance of Aljamarat establishment and supporting projects, maintenance and operation of  the Holy Places train, all operations and cleaning of the facilities of the Holy Places through 11,777 employees.  Furthermore, Makkah Municipality provides municipality services to the pilgrims through 15.671 employees, which include: General cleaning, collection, transportation and disposal of waste to maintain high levels of environmental sanitation, market monitoring and food inspection, operation and maintenance services for municipal facilities and supervision of slaughterhouses in Makkah. Moreover, the Saudi Electricity Company works on the operation of five main stations through labor force that reaches 1500 employee. While the water services are provided through more than 2800 employee who work in the National Water Company to operate and maintain the water network and its attachments, and maintain and clean toilets in Mina, Mozdalefah and ‘Arafat. It is worth mentioning that the General Authority for Statistics has provided these data and details through the statistical calendar of Hajj 1439 AH, which was allocated to publish all statistics related to Hajj services provided by government entities to pilgrims through its official website www.stats.gov.sa

More than 470 statistical researchers started their works this morning GASTAT starts the enumeration process for pilgrims of 1439 H GASTAT started the enumeration process for pilgrims who arrived in Makkah this morning Sunday the first of Dhu Al-hijjah 1439 H. The enumeration process is done through more than 470 statistical, administrative and technical researchers from GASTAT and they are available at the main centers in Makkah, Medina, Jeddah and Taif. In addition, the researchers will be working for (24 hours) every day until the sunset of the day of Arafah the ninth of Dhu Al-hijjah next Monday. Moreover, GASTAT clarified that the process of collecting data from pilgrims is done by completing the data of the electronic form in a very short time. The data include: number of pilgrims, nationality, destination and type of vehicle. On the other hand, GASTAT called all the pilgrims who are heading to Makkah for Hajj this year to submit the required statistical data to the pilgrims’ enumeration centers which are: Makkah/Jeddah Highway) Road , (Makkah/old Jeddah)Road, Altan’eim center(the connection road between Medina and Makkah), AlShrai’e center (the connection road between Makkah city and Alta’if city through AlSail), Alkar center (the connection road between Makkah and Alta’if through Alhada), and the Southern center ( Allaith -Jazan road  near Als’adeiah village) in addition to the Hajj statistics supportive centers in Jeddah at King Abdulaziz international airport, mass transportation stations, and other locations in Jeddah, Medina center (Abiar Ali and ‘Ashirah), and Alta’if center (Alsail Alkabeer).

Including services statistics provided by more than 40 entities to pilgrims GASTAT Launches the “Statistical Calendar” for 1439H Hajj Season GASTAT has  Launched the “Statistical Calendar” for 1439H Hajj Season, on Sunday,   the first of Dhu al-Hijjah -1439 , through GASTAT’S official www.stats.gov.sa, which shows the publishing dates of services statistics provided by government entities in Saudi Arabia to pilgrims, in addition to the statistics of domestic and foreign  pilgrims. GASTAT official spokesman, Mr. Taiseer Almofarrej, explained  that the statistical calendar with its content, from statistics and numbers, aims to show the efforts made to pilgrims from more than 40 public and private entities. Moreover, on the second day of the current month of Dhu al-Hijjah, the statistics of services provided to pilgrims such as, supervision, public, health, transportation, and communication as well as information technology services will be announced through statistical calendar and on GASTAT’S official website. Then, the number of domestic and foreign pilgrims will be published every six hours, from the seventh day of Dhu al-Hijjah,  until the total number of domestic and foreign pilgrims is announced that will be on the evening of Arfa, the ninth of Dhu al-Hijjah, if Allah willing. Furthermore, Mr. Almofarrej added that GASTAT will issue the detailed bulletin of Hajj statistics the morning of Eied day (10 Dhul Al-Hijja  1439H). Moreover, the spokesperson of GASTAT revealed that  the statistical calendar includes services statistics provided to pilgrims from the following governmental entities: Holy Makkah Province Principality, AL-Madinah Principality, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Ministry of Commerce and Investment, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labor and Social Development, Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Da'wah and Guidance, Ministry of Media, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, General Authority for Statistics, General Customs Authority, Saudi Food and Drug Authority, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture,  Communication and Information Technology Communication,  Saudi Commission for Investigation and Prosecution in Makkah Province, Makkah  Region Development Authority, Saudi Red Crescent Authority, General Security, General Directorate of Passports, The General Directorate of Saudi Civil Defense, The National Information Center, the General Presidency of Grand Mosque and Prophet's Mosque Affairs, Civil Defense in Makkah Province, Holy Makkah Municipality, Jeddah Municipality, Electricity Company of Makkah, Makkah and Taif Business Units at the National Water Company, The Custodian of Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research, the High Commission for Controlling Pilgrims’ Transportation, Saudi Post, Saudi Arabia Boy Scouts Association, Saudi Arabia Airlines , King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah ,  Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport , Jeddah Islamic Port, Mobile and Internet Operators as well as  many entities involved in providing services to pilgrims.    It is worth mentioning that the services statistics provided by the public and private entities will be available through the GASTAT’S official website on the dates set, according to the statistical calendar dates in open sources to support research, studies and media centers to benefit from and publish them.

With integration and coordination between GASTAT and the road security special forces Makkah Receives Pilgrims with "Security" and " Statistics" The General Authority for Statistics and the Road Security Special Forces in Makkah region clarified that all entry ports in Makkah are ready to receive pilgrims starting from the first hours of the first day of Thu-Alhijja, 1439 H. They added, great efforts have been made both financially and physically to facilitate the pilgrims' entry process. " Statistics" and " Road Security Special Forces" asked all pilgrims to provide their data accurately and clearly once they reach Makkah official entry ports.   This was discussed during the coordinative meeting which was held on Saturday Thu-alqida 29, 1439H in the services center in Alshimaisi Alsare'a between GASTAT leaders and the Road Security Force in Makkah region. The attendants of the meeting included GASTAT president, Dr. Fahad bin Sulaiman Altekhaifi and the operation division director in the Road Security Force in Makkah region Colonel Faisal bin Saad Alju'aid, who confirmed that all security entities are highly prepared for implementing the Hajj instructions in all roads and entry ports to make the entry process quick and easy, especially in the rush days which are usually the seventh and eighth days of the Thu-alhijja. All vehicles will be received by the road security special forces to make sure they have Hajj license. Then the General Authority for Statistics begin the task of pilgrims enumeration in the main centers surrounding Makkah: (Makkah/ Jeddah highway) center, ( Makkah/ Jeddah old way) center, Tane'em center, Sharae'a center, the South center, and the supportive centers in Medina and Taif.  On his part, GASTAT deputy of operations, methodologies and supervisor of the Hajj statistics program, Mr. Fahd Al-Fuhaid, said that the cooperation and integration with the Special Forces had started early this year. The meeting came today to review the joint goal between the two sides which is serving pilgrims and facilitating their entry to the city of Makkah during these days with all the data required to implement the program of Hajj statistics. He added that the process of collecting information is conducted electronically in a way that does not exceed 30 seconds maximum to ensure the speed of vehicles entry, as the statistical researcher enter data of each car carrying pilgrims coming from inside Saudi Arabia, including: type of car, number of pilgrims distributed by gender and nationality. Then he registers data in an electronic form using tablets. The entered data are referred to the time and date of vehicle entry and coordinates of the data collection location. Then they add the data of pilgrims coming from outside Saudi Arabia that are taken from the Directory of Passports.  It is worth mentioning that in addition to the road security forces and the relevant security entities, there are some other entities participating in the implementation of security tasks at the entrances leading to Makkah such as the Hajj Security Command for Traffic Affairs, the General Directorate of Passports, the General Directorate of Prisons, and Security Aviation. All offices and branches of the road security special forces also participate in the mission of Hajj each in his specialty to control the fake Hajj campaigns in accordance with a comprehensive security system to implement the early legal procedures on all roads leading to Makkah. However, the General Authority for Statistics in coordination with all these entities counts and enumerates the numbers of pilgrims, as their work lasts until they announce the total number of pilgrims  on the ninth of Thu al-Hijja.

GASTAT continues its preparations for the 1439H Hajj statistics Dr. Fahad Altekhaifi: Saudi Arabia is the Heart of the Islamic World, and Serving Pilgrims is an Honor The president of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) announced that the authority is still preparing for the Hajj statistics program for this year 1439H. these preparations aim at providing detailed and accurate statistics, data, and information about the numbers of pilgrims coming from inside and outside Saudi Arabia.  These works will be done through seven main centers in Makkah, and three supportive centers in Medina, Jeddah, and Taif.  Dr. Fahad bin Sulaiman Altekhaifi said that GASTAT with all its financial and humanitarian  potentials, along with many governmental entities, is implementing the directions of the custodian of the two holly mosques and his crown prince- may God protect them-  to provide all pilgrims with the services they need in order to make them feel comfortable, as Saudi Arabia is honored to serve them and facilitate their Hajj steps every year.  Saudi Arabia represents the heart of the Islamic world, and serving pilgrims is an honor. Therefore, all Saudi public and private entities are competing to provide whatever they can do to make the Hajj season a successful one. He added, we, the people of Saudi Arabia, recognize what does it mean to be the only country that organizes a very important Islamic pillar.  Dr. Altekhaifi clarified that GASTAT is implementing the Hajj statistics through three main tracks; the first one concerns pilgrims coming from inside Saudi Arabia (from all Saudi regions to Makkah). In this track, GASTAT uses the comprehensive enumeration method, which counts all arrivals who come to Makkah for the purpose of Hajj. It is conducted through all Hajj statistics main centers located in Makkah entry ports. The president indicated that all main centers are located in the entry ports of Makkah and surrounds it from all sides, except for the one located in the center of Makkah. GASTAT employees are found, along with the concerned entities of the ministry of interior, in (Makkah/ Jeddah highway) center, which is the biggest and most important center, as it represents the main way taken by pilgrims who come from Jeddah city. They are also found in (the old way between Makkah and Jeddah) center, Tan'em center, Shara'ea center, Alkar center, and the south center. However, GASTAT can be also found in some supportive Hajj statistics centers which are located in Medina, Jeddah, and Taif, especially in the domestic pilgrims' parking, airports, public transport stations, and the Meeqat spots. The second track is for pilgrims coming from outside Saudi Arabia (pilgrims who come from outside Saudi Arabia to Makkah through all air, land, and sea ports. To count those pilgrims, GASTAT depends on the pilgrims data received from the concerned entities, distributed by gender, nationality, date of arrival, and way of arrival. However, the third track concerns pilgrims coming from Makkah. GASTAT estimates the numbers of those pilgrims depending on the periodical field surveys conducted by GASTAT among a sample of households from Makkah in order to determine the percentage of pilgrims who come from Makkah.    As for the mechanism of pilgrims' numbers enumeration, Dr. Fahad Altekhaifi stated that GASTAT staff will be present in the Hajj statistics centers located in Makkah entry ports, so that they can count all arrivals who come for the purpose of Hajj. The works will begin on the first day of Thu Alhijja, 1439H. the staff will register the data of every car that carries pilgrims coming from inside Saudi Arabia. The data will be registered on an electronic form by using tablets. They include the car type, number of pilgrims distributed by gender and nationality. The data have a time reference which is the time and date of entry, and a spatial reference which is the coordinates of the data collection location. After that, the information will be transferred to the entry centers' databases through transferring systems. Then a synchronization of data is made between the tablets and the centers' databases. Finally, data are transferred to the main database in Makkah, where data are processed, and daily reports and Hajj statistics bulletins are written. It is worth mentioning that the task of pilgrims' enumeration has been done by GASTAT since 1390 H. this task aims at providing accurate information that helps all governmental entities in planning and developing the pilgrims services. This task is still performed by GASTAT with many improvements in the methods of enumeration to make them more accurate and comprehensive.

GASTAT conducts annual enumeration for pilgrims Saudi Arabia was pleased to serve 54 million pilgrims during the last 25 years   According to GASTAT’s official statistics, the total number of pilgrims who were served by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the last twenty-five years reached (53.928.358) pilgrims. The lowest number of pilgrims was registered in the Hajj season of 1415 H where the number of pilgrims reached (1.781.370). On the other hand, the highest number of pilgrims was registered in 1433 H where the number of pilgrims reached (3.161.573) pilgrims. Additionally, during the last ten years the number of pilgrims reached (23.834.151) pilgrims. GASTAT spokesman, Taiseer Almofarrej said that counting the numbers of pilgrims each year is one of the important tasks performed by GASTAT. This task has started since 1390 H in order to provide accurate information that would help all governmental entities to plan and develop the services provided to pilgrims. However, the task has been performed for many years, with a lot of developments in the methods of counting and enumeration so that they can be applied in an accurate, comprehensive, and professional way.   Mr. Almofarrej added that the Hajj statistics program aims to complete all programs of future plans for the purpose of providing the necessary services for the pilgrims, whether social, health, security, food or transportation services. It is done by using a time series of accurate data on the numbers of pilgrims, the estimates of manpower needed to serve the pilgrims and to maintain their safety and comfort during the Hajj season of each year. The data and numbers of pilgrims are used by the entities concerned with the study of the preparations and the main facilities in Makkah and the holy places and taken into account when preparing the necessary plans. In addition, it provides accurate information and data about hajj statistics for researchers, students, beneficiaries and those interested in this field. Furthermore, the data on the number of pilgrims is used in the evaluation of the activities and events conducted by the entities concerned with serving the pilgrims, as well as to identify ways of arrival of the domestic pilgrims and the pilgrims coming from outside the Kingdom. The official spokesman of the General Authority for Statistics revealed that the statistics of the services provided by government agencies to pilgrims will be announced periodically from the first of Dhu al-Hijjah. Furthermore, the Authority will release the final and official number of pilgrims on the evening of 9th of Dhu al-Hijjah, through the Hajj statistics bulletin in details which includes: number of pilgrims inside, number of pilgrims outside, number of pilgrims by sex, nationality and destination, number of vehicles transporting pilgrims as well as types, and other detailed data. It is worth mentioning that during the previous 25 years, the number of pilgrims exceeded three million pilgrims once, while exceeding more than two million pilgrims twelve times. On the other hand, it fell from two million pilgrims during twelve seasons, and the lowest was recorded in 1415, according to the following table. Numbers of pilgrims during the past 25 years S Year Total number of pilgrims 1 1414H 1.834.780 2 1415H 1.781.370 3 1416H 1.865.234 4 1417H 1.942.851 5 1418H 1.832.114 6 1419H 1.831.998 7 1420H 1.839.154 8 1421H 1.913.263 9 1422H 1.944.760 10 1423H 2.041.129 11 1424H 2.012.074 12 1425H 2.164.469 13 1426H 2.258.050 14 1427H 2.378.636 15 1428H 2,454,325 16 1429H 2,408,849 17 1430H 2,313,278 18 1431H 2,789,399 19 1432H 2,927,717 20 1433H 3,161,573 21 1434H 1,980,249 22 1435H 2,085,238 23 1436H 1,952,817 24 1437H 1,862,909

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) Released the Real Estate Price Index, Q2, 2018 On Sunday, the 16th of Dhu al-Qa'dah 1439H corresponding July 29, 2018, The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released the report of Real Estate Price index, Q2 2018 on GASTAT official website www.stats.gov.sa. The real-estate price index has recorded a decline by (7.0%) compared to the previous quarter (Q1, 2018), where the indicator of the Real Estate Price index reached (83.6) in the second quarter of 2018 compared to (84.2) in (Q1, 2018).  This decline can be attributed to the decrease in the main sectors composing it: the housing sector (8.0%), the commercial sector (4.0%), and the agricultural sector (1.0%) compared to the first quarter of the current year. At the level of the residential sector in details, the second quarter of 2018 witnessed slight decreases compared to the previous quarter, where the residential land decreased by (0.9%), the villas decreased by (1.7%), the apartments decreased by (0.6%), while the houses decreased by (0.1%). On the other hand, residential buildings increased by (0.2%). Regarding the commercial sector, commercial plots decreased by (0.4%), compared to the previous quarter.  However, the agricultural sector witnessed a decrease by (0.1%).  in agricultural lands. Furthermore, the index is based on the data records about real-estate’s transactions available at the Ministry of Justice, and it is an important tool to support economic and statistical decision makers regarding the changes of property prices and future forecasts during different periods of time.  The index has three main sectors consisting of several types of real estate: housing sector which includes the following (plot of land, building, villa, apartment and house), commercial sector includes (plot of land, building, exhibition/commercial center and shop), and the agricultural sector with only one category which is the agricultural land.

Containing more than 85 Indicators of Household Health in the Kingdom GASTAT Releases the Results of the Household Health Survey 2017 On Thursday, Dhu al-Qidah 13th, 1439H. (Corresponding to July 26th, 2018) the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released the results of the Household Survey (2017) on its official website (www.stats.gov.sa) as part of the results of the new surveys issued by GASTAT. This survey is the first survey in the field of household health, which was carried out during the period from (21/2/1439H. to 15/3/1439H.) corresponding to (10/11/2017 to 3/12/2017). It is one of the most important sources of data needed for development planning in the health and social fields at the national level. The bulletin includes more than 85 indicators on health and social phenomena and on family health in the Kingdom. The results showed that 94.2% of the population at the age group (15 years and above) have good or very good health according to their personal assessment of their health. Regarding Saudi population, the percentage of Saudi males who have good or very good health reached 93.5%, whereas the Saudi females reached 91.7%. The results also showed that 25.4% of the population at the age group (15 years and above) undergo a periodic medical check-up to check their health at least once a year. While the percentage of population who are covered by a health insurance reached 37.1% of total population, 13.9% of them are Saudis and 75.4% are non-Saudis.  The results also showed that the percentage of population who suffer from chronic diseases diagnosed by a doctor at the age group (65 years and above) is the highest for both males and females. The percentage in this group is 73.8% for females compared to 67.8% for males. The percentage of population who have been diagnosed with diabetes by a doctor reached 8.5% of the Kingdom population, the males diagnosed with diabetes reached 8.7% and 8.3% for females. The percentage of Saudi population who have been diagnosed with diabetes reached 10.1%, 10.4% for Saudi males and 9.8% for Saudi females.  The percentage of population (15 years and above) who have been diagnosed with cancer disease reached 0.17%, whereas the percentage of population (15 years and above) who have been diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases reached 1.14%. The results of the survey also showed that the total fertility of Saudi females reached 2.35%, while the total fertility rate in the Kingdom is (2) births per one woman in the Kingdom.   The percentage of births performed by specialized doctors was 99.7%.   It is worth mentioning that this survey was conducted in accordance with the international standards recognized by the World Health Organization and the United Nations. The results will enable specialists to study many health phenomena, extract many indicators related to health in the Kingdom, as well as maternal and child indicators, and indicators about health lifestyle in the community. It also provides data about smoking, the size of accident injuries, as well as the study of marriage, family planning, fertility and child mortality. For comparison purposes and in order to unify the statistical method and style in the implementation of the household health surveys, all 13 regions of the Kingdom were covered through a representative sample of households.

With the participation of 31 government entities over a period of 5 days The Task Teams of the (Coordination Committee of the General Authority for Statistics) discuss ways of exchanging data between government entities Within the framework of the General Authority for Statistics' efforts to facilitate and exchange data and information with various government agencies, the coordination committee meetings of the Coordination Committee of the General Authority for Statistics took place during the five days from July 1st to 5th , 2018, with the participation of 31 government entities. The official spokesman of the General Authority for Statistics, Tayseer Al-Mufrrej, explained that the coordination teams discussed several topics, including the discussion of the general frameworks for the coordination work between the various entities in the joint works. They also reviewed the challenges and obstacles facing the task teams and discussed the appropriate solutions. In addition, they reviewed the statistical work carried out during the last period. The government agencies also made a number of development proposals for data dissemination and raising statistical awareness, in addition to data exchange. On the other hand, Mr. Al-Mufrrej said that the Coordination Committee of the General Authority for Statistics includes a number of coordination teams, including the coordination Task team for Economic Statistics, which includes, the Ministry of Economy and Planning, the Ministry of Health, the General Authority for Sport, the Ministry of Trade and Investment, the Ministry of Labor and Social Development , Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Finance, Council of Saudi Chambers, Saudi Customs, General Authority for Investment, Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency, General Authority for Tourism and National Heritage, and Small and Medium Enterprises Authority. The coordination task team on Environment Statistics includes: The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the General Authority for Meteorology and Environmental Protection, Saline water conversion Corporation and the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu.  The coordination task team on Energy Statistics includes: The Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, the Saline Water Conversion Corporation, King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy, the Ministry of Energy's National Renewable Energy Program, the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu and the Electricity & Co-Generation Regulatory Authority. The coordination task team of Masdar program includes: The Ministry of Health, Ministry of Housing, Ministry of Commerce and Investment, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Ministry of Civil Service, Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency, General Organization for Social Insurance , The Public Pension Agency , the General Auditing Bureau, the Yesr Program, the National Information Center of the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Economy and Planning, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Labor and Social Development. While the coordination task team of the social statistics includes: The Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Housing, the Ministry of Labor and Social Development, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, the Public Prosecution, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Civil Service, the Ministry of Education and the Saudi Post. It is worth mentioning that the meetings were held as preparatory meetings for the meeting of the Coordination Committee of the General Authority for Statistics, which will be held on the tenth of next September. The "Coordination Committee" was formed permanently to coordinate the statistical work between the General Authority for Statistics and related entities, in accordance with the decision of the Council of Ministers (11) dated 13/1/1437 AH on the organization of the Commission, aimed at activating and organizing the statistical work through the establishment of a comprehensive, accurate and unified statistical system, in addition to the follow-up of its implementation. It also develops the plans and programs necessary to meet statistical needs; in order to serve the developmental plans, scientific research, and various activities.

A decline in the numbers of non-Saudi workers by more than 234 thousand during Quarter 1, 2018 GASTAT: Saudis economic participation rate increased, total population unemployment rate is (6.1%), and Saudis unemployment rate is (12.9%) The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) published on its official website www.stats.gov.sa  the Labor Market Bulletin for the first quarter of 2018, which provides comprehensive data and indicators on the labor market in Saudi Arabia from the estimates of the labor force survey conducted by GASTAT quarterly, in addition to the labor market data from the administrative records of some relevant entities (Ministry of Labor and Social Development, Ministry of Civil Service, General Organization for Social Insurance, Human Resources Development Fund and National Information Center). The results of the bulletin for the first quarter of 2018 indicated that the total number of workers from the data of administrative records in Saudi Arabia (Q1, 2018) reached (13,333,513) individuals, compared to (13,581,141) individuals in Q4, 2017. However, the first quarter of 2018 witnessed a decrease in the numbers of non-Saudi workers by (234,191) individuals compared to the fourth quarter of 2017, as they registered (10,183,104) individuals in Q1, 2018 compared to (10,417,295) in Q4, 2017. On the other hand, the numbers of Saudi workers registered (3,150,409) individuals.  As for the rate of population’s economic participation (15 years and older), it recorded (55.5%) in Q1, 2018 compared to (55.6%) in Q4, 2017. However, the economic participation rate of Saudis increased by (41.89%) compared to (41.86%) in the previous quarter. Saudi males’ economic participation (15 years and older) increased by (63.5%) compared to (63.4%) in the previous quarter, whereas Saudi females’ economic participation (15 years and older) increased by (19.5%) compared to (19.4%) last quarter.  The results also showed that the rate of population’s unemployment (15 years and older) reached (6.1%) during the first quarter of 2018 compared to (6.0%) in Q4, 2017. Saudis unemployment rate (15 years and older) registered (12.9%) in the first quarter of 2018, but the Saudi females’ unemployment rate has decreased during this quarter registering (30.9%) compared to (31.10%) in Q4, 2017. In contrast, Saudi males’ unemployment rate registered an increase with (7.6%) compared to (7.5%) in Q4, 2017.    In addition, the total number of Saudi jobseekers from the estimates of administrative records (Jadarah, Sa’ed, and Hafiz programs) reached (1,072,162) individuals during the first quarter of 2018 compared to (1,086,561) individuals with a decline by (14,399) individuals from last quarter. Saudi male job seekers recorded (16.1%), while female jobseekers recorded (83.9%).  The bulletin included a large number of detailed data on workers according to the regulations they are subject to, and according to the nationality, gender, age, administrative region and educational level, as well as data on job seekers, average monthly wage, working hours and domestic workers. On the other hand, GASTAT spokesman Mr. Taiseer Almofarrej, clarified that there is a difference between job seekers and unemployed. The "unemployed" according to the Labor Force Survey are the individuals (15 years and older) who were jobless during the period of the time reference (the survey period): the previous week of the household visit and have been looking for a job seriously during the four weeks prior to the household visit (they have at least taken one way to look for a job). This includes those who did not search for work during the four weeks prior to the household visit because they were waiting for a job or starting their own business in the coming period, where they had already been looking for work before the time reference period and at the same time they were able to work and were ready to join it (If available), during the week preceding the household visit. Additionally, the definition of job seekers is the Saudi individuals (males or females) enrolled in the job search programs of the Ministry of Civil Service (Jadarah or Sa’ed) and the Human Resources Development Fund (Hafiz). And they register their personal data, qualifications, practical experiences and CVs through an electronic system. It is worth to mention that job seekers in the administrative records are not subject to the internationally recognized standards and conditions of unemployment approved by the ILO and therefore are not considered to be unemployed. Hence, not every job seeker is considered unemployed, s/he may be looking for work and is working in another job, this is the case in job seekers in government entities who are working, for example, in the private sector.

Targeting more than 35,000 households and 53,000 Establishments The General Authority for Statistics is conducting 5 field statistical works next week The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) has invited all citizens and residents, as individuals or in corporations, to cooperate with the statisticians working in the field in various regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who their statistical work will start next Tuesday Shawwal 26th,1439AH (July 10th, 2018). GASTAT asserted that all information and data given by citizens, residents and corporations is confidential and will be treated as an information basis which is reliable and can be used by development decision-makers in all relevant government entities that will serve the interest of citizens and residents.  GASTAT spokesman, Mr. Taiseer Almofarrej said that more than (1600) statisticians are conducting 5 social and economic statistical surveys during this period until Dhu Al-Qidah 20th, 1439 AH (August 2nd, 2018).  These statistical works are targeting more than 35,000 households and 53,000 establishments in all (13) administrative regions. He mentioned that the field surveys of the economic indicators are used by the decision makers who are involved in the unemployment issue and increasing the employment in the internal trade activity. In addition, the recent statistical data contribute to the knowledge of the volume of internal trade activity and the measurement of its contribution to GDP. He pointed out that the Labor Force Survey helps to extract real indicators and data on unemployment, workers and the economic participation in the Kingdom, as well as data on labor force for the population (15 years old and above). This survey is one of the household field surveys based on a sample, conducted by GASTAT in the field of social statistics. He added that these data are important in terms of giving a picture of the size of the labor force among the working age population of male and female, active and economically inactive.  Mr. Almofarrej mentioned that the field surveys that will be conducted by GASTAT next week by statisticians who are holding official ID cards includes: Industrial Production Survey (3rd quarter, 2018), Economic Indicators Survey (3rd quarter, 2018), Internal Trade Activity Survey (3rd quarter, 2018), Construction Activity Survey 2018, and Tourism Survey 2018.

GASTAT releases the labour market bulletin (first quarter, 2018) next Thursday in a press conference The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) will hold a press conference next Thursday Shawwal 21, 1439H corresponding July 5, 2018 in its head office in Riyadh. In this conference, GASTAT will announce the labor market bulletin results for the first quarter of 2018. GASTAT spokesman, Mr. Taiseer Almoffarej said that we will announce the population’s total unemployment rate, Saudis’ unemployment rate, and the labor force data of quarter 1, 2018.  In addition, the labor market bulletin’s statistical methodology will be explained to all media representatives who are considered essential partners in   spreading the statistical data for the remarkable role of media channels in raising statistical awareness among society. Almofarrej mentioned that GASTAT worked hard to make sure that the bulletin is thorough and includes all data and information needed by GASTAT clients while presenting them in a clear and transparent way which is an important standard of the statistical work. It is worth mentioning that the labor market bulletin, which is published by GASTAT quarterly, includes the data of labor force, employed and unemployed persons, economic participation and unemployment rate, and job seekers numbers. These data are taken from the administrative records of the Ministry of Labor and Social Development, General Institution of Social Insurances, Human Recourses Fund, and National Information Center.

Organized by the Excellence Awards Academy at the level of the Arab region GaStat Wins the Arab Government Achievements Award (2018) for the “Interactive map of the Services Guide” The General Authority for Statistics (GaStat) won the Arab Government Achievements award for the “Interactive map of the Services Guide” launched recently through GaStat’s official website. On Tuesday 13/10/1439H., the Excellence Awards Academy in U.A.E, the organizer of the “Afkar” Award for Excellence in Government Innovation for the year 2018 at the level of Arab region, announced selecting the Interactive Map for the Services Guide issued by GaStat, within the top seven excellent services in the region among more than 47 services nominated to win the award.  The Interactive Map of the Services Guide is a technical tool provided by GaStat to view the services’ statistics guide for the Kingdom’s cities and villages. It is the unified reference of all government and private entities available services in different regions of the Kingdom, at the level of cities and villages in the 13 administrative regions. It includes data and information of 16,263 localities (village-city). It includes geographical information and data, Health and education services, data on the availability of administrative, social and agricultural services and public services. The total number of the main tables and its sections included in the guide is (5810) detailed table. The guide, which was prepared by the contribution of 27 government entities, is one of the most important statistical resources for all data of the Kingdoms’ cities and villages. It is issued by GaStat every 3 years in order to provide unified data and information with official documentation and a high degree of accuracy for all services available in the cities and villages of the Kingdom so that these data are a unified reference for all ministries, government agencies and institutions, students and researchers, and media. The Interactive map of the Services Guide provides the main data for planners, policy and decision makers according to the localities in the administrative regions. A user can perform a search by selecting the locality that has a specific service in a specific search circle, or selecting the nearest locality on the map. It also provides the possibility of displaying the distribution of services according to the type of service or administrative regions. The service also includes a “Services calculator” which is a statistical tool to conduct statistical calculations based on the databases. The results can be viewed on the map to understand the geospatial distribution of any search, and the results can be extracted on Excel file. The guide contains geographical data and information at the level of the locality (city, village) in addition to the available private and government education services (all three levels and Qura’an schools (boys and girls)), and services of university education, technical education, agricultural education, health education, scientific, professional and commercial institutes, disabled educational institutes, schools of adult education and literacy and kindergartens. Health services including hospitals, primary health care centers, government and private clinics, Saudi Red Crescent services, data of administrative centers (governorate, center), police and civil defense centers, civil affairs, passports agency, endowments, labor offices, the centres of the General Presidency of the promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vices, courts, municipalities Social security offices, social development centers, directorates and branches of the Ministry of Agriculture, branches and offices of agricultural development funds, real estate development, industrial development, , And branches of ministries and agencies as well as public services, including electricity, water, telecommunications, postal services, telegraph offices, tourism, travel and banking services.

In Order to Benefit from the Best Statistical Practices to Improve the Statistical Sector Saudi Arabia Participates in the International Conference “Big Data for European Statistics” in Bulgaria    Deputy Chairman of Statistical Innovation and Client Services, Dr.Mohmmad AL-Ahmad represented the General Authority for Statistics (GaStat) in the international conference “Big Data for European Statistics” that was held between 14-15 May 2018 in Sofia, Bulgaria.  Dr.AL-Ahmad clarified that the conference discussed the results of the ESSnet Big Data project; a network project of 22 partners from 20 European countries and it is financed by Eurostat. The project aimed at integrating big data of official statistics through sharing expertise of big data possible sources and creating an implementation plan. He added that the project started in February 2016 for 28 months until May 2018 and it consists of 10 workgroups: (WP1 to WP8) are for the content, (WP10) is for the coordination and (WP9) is for the entire project. GaStat accepted the invitation of ESSnet Big Data project in order to learn more about the European countries’ experiences in this field, and to benefit from these practices to serve GaStat’s plans of using big data for producing new statistical indicators in Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, the participants visited the National Statistics Institute NSI in Bulgaria and met Mr. Sergey Tsvetarsky NSI president to view the institute’s activities and statistical works.  GaStat participation in this conference comes within its strategic plans to build international partnership between the Kingdom and a number of distinguished countries in this field, also to benefit from the best international statistical expertise and practices in order to improve the statistical sector in the Kingdom.

(53.6%) Perfom Umrah in Ramadan GASTAT: More Than 19M  Umrah Performers in 2017 On Tuesday Ramadan 13, 1439H corresponding May 29, 2018, The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released the report of Umrah statistics bulletin (2017). It is implemented for the second time by GASTAT as one of the new products associated with the Saudi vision 2030. The report contains many Umrah-related indicators and results which have been taken from the Umrah survey (domestic Umrah performers), and the registered data that pertains to the ministry of Hajj and Umrah (foreign Umrah performers). Through this bulletin, GASTAT and its related governmental partners want to create a database for all domestic and foreign Umrah performers to support decision and policy makers in term of the services provided to Umrah performers. According to the results of Umrah statistics bulletin 2017, the total number of Umrah performers reached (19.079.306) performers, (6.532.074) of whom came from outside Saudi Arabia as showed in the registered data of the ministry of Hajj and Umrah. On the other hand, the total number of domestic Umrah performers (Saudis and non-Saudis) hit (12.547.232) performers according to the results of Umrah survey conducted by GASTAT. The percentage of Saudi Umrah performers who came from inside Saudi Arabia is (46.9%), whereas non-Saudis who came from inside Saudi Arabia recorded (53.1%). However, the percentage of male domestic Umrah performers registered (64.3%), while females percentage registered (35.7%). The bulletin results also showed that Ramadan is considered a top season during which Umrah is performed by people from inside Saudi Arabia, as (53.6%) of total Umrah performers performed it in Ramadan. As for Umrah performers from outside, King Abdulaziz airport in Jeddah registered the highest percentage on foreign Umrah performers with (62.51%), while the percentage registered by Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz airport in Medina hit (25.7%).  All data of the Umrah survey results are available on GASTAT website www.stats.gov.sa to serve researchers and those who are interested in such data, and to support decision makers by providing them with detailed results.

It includes 20 chapters and data of more than 50 governmental entities GASTAT releases the 53rd edition of the Statistical Yearbook (2017) GASTAT released the (53rd) edition of the Statistical Yearbook for 1438/1439 H (2017). It is one of the most important statistical products released by GASTAT to monitor and document statistical data and information, also to shed light on the activities of the governmental bodies and the private sector as well.  Additionally, it reflects the growth rates from year to year and the improvement in the economic, social and population fields. The Statistical Yearbook aims to provide statistical data and information to businessmen, companies, planners, researchers and to the public too. Moreover, it accurately indicates the dimensions of the comprehensive development that were achieved by the Kingdom.  The Statistical Yearbook includes 20 chapters and over 300 tables that contain updated information which were added to improve the display and the documentation of statistical indicators and data. It covers the most significant data and information for different development sectors as well as the main results of the statistical works carried out by GASTAT during the year, also the data received from different statistical departments of more than 50 governmental and private sectors. Moreover, it includes data about: population and vital characteristic, housing and real-estate, health, training and education, agriculture, water and environment, culture and information, internal trade, social development and services, money, insurance and prices, administrative services, labor market, industry, domestic product and household expenditure, transportation, technology and communication, Islamic affairs, Hajj and Umrah, tourism ,  entertainment and sport, energy, economic establishments, and data on the budget.  The Statistical Yearbook is not limited to a certain category, for example, the population and vital characteristics chapter is considered one of the significant chapters that includes useful data to conduct a research or to build indicators related to population; and through this, many development requirements can be achieved in all cities and governorates. On the other hand, policy planners and decision makers can benefit from the training and education chapter, the private sector can prepare necessary plans as well to establish more educational institutions. In addition, these data are useful for planners and those who are interested in regulating the labor market.  The social development and services chapter is important for citizens in which it shows the services provided by them. Additionally, this chapter is also useful to social researchers in which it helps them to conduct researches and studies related to social issues.    The findings of the labor market and the social protection’s chapter are very important to prepare plans to regulate the labor market and to find the right solutions. Furthermore, they can be used to conduct economic researches by economists and researches who are interested in this.  Money, insurance and prices chapter can serve a large number of researchers in the economic field to conduct studies that show the inflation rates and the consumption patterns of the population and other indicators. It is worth mentioning that the first edition of the book was released in 1385 H (1965) and GASTAT usually prepares its chapters based on two main sources: the results of the researches and the field studies carried out by GASTAT and the statistical data received from different statistical departments from various governmental bodies.

According to the results of households and individuals’ ICT access and usage survey 2017 GASTAT: 83.83% of individuals (12 to 65 years) use internet, and 92% use cell phone On Thursday 24th of Sha’aban 1439 H corresponding 10th of May 2018, the General Authority for Statistics has released the report of households and individuals’ ICT access and usage survey results 2017. This report aims at providing recent data and indicators about the communication and information technology activity, which helps decision makers in obtaining necessary statistical data. In addition, it helps in founding a wide range data base that can be used as a reliable reference for ICT activity’ studies and research. It also provides researchers and students with statistical data about the households and individuals ICT activity, so that they can use it in their scientific studies and research that contribute in developing this activity in Saudi Arabia. Not to mention its role in making local, regional, and international comparisons in the households and individuals ICT activity. Based on the survey results, the percentage of households who can access the internet reached 86.8%. however, households who have fixed phone in their dwellings registered 24.74%. on the other hand, individuals who use the internet recorded 68.13% of total Saudi population, whereas 83.83% of individuals whose ages range between (12 and 65 years) use the internet. As for cell phones, the percentage of individuals who use cell phones is 73.28% of total Saudi population. 91% of individuals whose ages range between (12 and 65 years) use cell phones. According to the results of this survey, the percentage of households who have a computer in their dwellings reached 46.6% of total Saudi population. However, individuals who use computers registered 24.69%, whereas 30% of total individuals whose ages range between (12 and 65 years) use computers. As for the percentage of households who have a television, they registered 92.67% of total Saudi population.

Targeting (57350 households) and (33450 establishments) GASTAT conducts (12) statistical works that last until the beginning of Ramadan The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) has asked all citizens and residents whether individuals or institutions to cooperate with its statisticians who work in the field all over Saudi Arabia, and their work would last until the beginning of Ramadan. GASTAT asserted that all data are dealt with as an information base that developmental decision makers, who work in all related governmental entities, would rely on.  GASTAT spokesman, Mr. Taiseer Almofarrej said that (11317) statisticians are conducting (12) statistical research and surveys in many economic and social fields, and their works will last until the second of Ramadan. These statistical works are targeting (57350 households) and (33450 establishments) in all (13) administrative regions including all cities and governorates. The results of these works represent a base for making the related developmental decisions. On the level of statistical works that target households, GASTAT is currently conducting the households and individuals’ ICT access and usage survey 2018, the household and population characteristics survey 2018, and the labor force survey, Q2 of 2018.    On the other hand, Almofarrej clarified that the general statistics system issued by the ministers’ cabinet, all data and information provided by any citizen, resident, or establishment are kept and dealt with confidentiality. He added that the people’s cooperation with statisticians would guarantee the success of these works, and using them in supporting economic and social development accordingly.  It is worth mentioning that GASTAT is following certified international standards in choosing the sample of these works. Thus, GASTAT asks all individuals in the statistical society, either households or establishments, to cooperate with the statistician who can be identified by his official card. In addition, there is a communication center that everyone contacts on 920020081

GASTAT participates in the seventh round of OIC-StatCom The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) participates in the meetings of the seventh round of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Statistical Commission (OIC-StatCom), which are held in Ankara- Turkey, during the period 2-3 May, 2018, corresponding 16-17 Shaaban, 1439H. On the first day of the meetings, the director- general of Methodologies and Statistical Classifications has presented in details how to use administrative records and vital statistics in the next population census which will be conducted in 2020. On the other hand, the vice president for Statistical Works has met the director- general of  Statistical, Economic, and Social Research and Training Center for Islamic Countries (SESRIC),  Ambassador Musa KulaKlikaya. During their meeting, they shed light on GASTAT statistical transformation experience, and how can they reflect the experience of Saudi Arabia on other Islamic countries. Moreover, the vice president, and on behalf of all GASTAT staff, has expressed his thanks and gratitude for all the efforts exerted by the center. He assured that the authority can always provide support in different statistical fields. In the end, the center’s director-general has thanked the authority for their initiative, and expressed the center’s desire to sign a memorandum of understanding with GASTAT in the field of statistics.

New survey to be released for the first time in cooperation with the General Sports Authority, GASTAT: According to the survey of Households Sports Practice in Saudi Arabia (14.89%) of population are practicing sports for more than 150 minutes’ weekly On Tuesday 15th of Shaaban 1439H, corresponding to 1st of May 2018, GASTAT has released the results of Households Sports Practice Survey, 2017. The survey complements the surveys implemented by GASTAT in 2017. Households sports practice is one of the Saudi vision 2030 requirements. In addition, this kind of practice includes indicators that are targeted by 2030. The data of this survey allows conducting many developmental studies and plans in general, and in the sports field in particular. These studies and plans should support the development of many programs and initiatives that do increase the rate of households sports practice. The survey methodology and form must be compatible with the international standards and recommendations issued by ILO on one hand, and with the General Sports Authority needs on the other hand.   According to the survey results, the percentage of individuals (15 years and older) who are engaged in sports activities for more than 150 minutes weekly reached (14.89%). However, those who do not practice sports recorded (85.11%). Moreover, the percentage of Saudi males and females (15 years and older) who are engaged in sports activities for more than 150 minutes’ weekly registered (11.24%), (8.83%) of whom are males and (2.41%) are females. On the other hand, the percentage of non-Saudi males and females who are engaged in sports activities hit (3.65%). The results also indicated that the percentage of those who practice sports in public facilities (public place, garden…etc) is 59.04%. in contrast, those who practice sports in GYMs registered 15.11%, while those who practice it at home recorded 14.75%. Additionally, the percentage of individuals who practice sports in clubs recorded 1.63%, whereas those who practice it in other places registered only 1.19% The survey revealed that the reasons of not practicing sports among Saudi population varied. Some people have chosen not to practice it with a percentage of 50.47%, and some do not have time to practice (32.11%). However, some people do not have public facilities in their neighbourhoods (14.65%), and some have other reasons for not practicing (2.77%).   The survey aims at providing recent statistical indicators and data about households’ sports practice. In addition, it provides the reasons behind not practicing sports by kind of relationship with the household head, and classification by gender, nationality, educational status, age, marital status. Furthermore, it provides data about the percentages of individuals engaged in sports activities on at the administrative regions level.  GASTAT will work on improving the survey indicators periodically in cooperation with the General Sports Authority, in a way that supports the 2030 Saudi vision achievement.

Within the results of labor market bulletin, quarter 4, 2017 GASTAT: Saudis’ economic participation rate increased, and unemployment rate remained stable The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) releases on its official website www.stats.gov.sa  the Labor Market Bulletin for the fourth quarter of 2017, which provides comprehensive data and indicators on the Saudi labor market taken from the labor force survey conducted by the Authority on a quarterly basis, and from the administrative records of some relevant entities (Ministry of Labor and Social Development, Ministry of Civil Service, General Organization for Social Insurance, Human Resources Development Fund and National Information Center). The results of the bulletin (third quarter, 2017) showed an increase in the economic participation of Saudis (15 years and older) as it reached (41.9%) compared to (40.7%) in Quarter 3, 2017, with an increase of (1.2%). The results indicated that the economic participation of Saudi females has increased by (19.4%) compared to (17.8%), whereas, Saudi males’ participation has increased by (63.4%) compared to (62.6%) in the third quarter of 2017. However, the results demonstrated a    stability in the unemployment rate of the Saudi population for the third time, where it stabilized at (12.8%), the unemployment rate of all population (Saudis and non-Saudis) has registered (6.0%), with an increase of (0.2%) compared to the previous quarter. The results also showed a decline in the unemployment rate of Saudi with (31.0%) compared to (32.7%) in quarter 3. On the other hand, Saudi males’ unemployment rate has registered an increase by (7. 5%) compared to (7.4%) in quarter 3. Moreover, the results indicated that according to the administrative records of Saudi Arabia, there is a decline in the numbers of Saudi job seekers during the fourth quarter of 2017, as they reached (1,086,561) persons with a decline of (11.8%) compared to the third quarter of 2017. In contrast, the numbers of Saudi employed persons have increased by (3.3%) with (3,163,846) persons. The bulletin included a large number of detailed data about workers according to the regulations they are subject to, nationality, gender, age, administrative region, and educational level, as well as data about job seekers, average monthly wage, working hours and domestic workers. On the other hand, the official spokesman of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), Taiseer Al-Mofarrej, clarified that when comparing the unemployment rate of total population ( Saudis and non-Saudis)  in Saudi Arabia, which registered (6%) in this quarter, with the unemployment rates of the Group of Twenty (G20), we find that Saudi Arabia is in the average rate, as ten countries among which is Saudi Arabia has registered rates ranging between (4%) and (7%). The below table shows the unemployment rates of G20: Unemployment rates in G20 Country Unemployment rate South Africa 26.7 Brazil 12.6 Italy 10.9 Turkey 10.8 France 8.9 Argentina 7.2 Canada 5.8 Saudi Arabia 6 Australia 5.5 Indonesia 5.5 Russia 5.0 South Korea 4.5 United Kingdom 4.2 United States 4.1 China 3.9 Germany 3.8 India 3.5 Mexico 3.2 Japan 2.5 Almofarrej added, the results of the labor market bulletin, Quarter 4, 2017 have showed the tendencies of jobseekers in the Saudi market, as the percentage of those who seek a government job reached 38%. It is worth mentioning that GASATAT has previously clarified the difference between job seekers and unemployed, and that unemployment rate cannot be calculated based on the number of jobseekers that is registered in the databases of other government entities.  The "unemployed" according to the Labor Force Survey are individuals (15 years and older) who were jobless during the period of the time reference (the survey period): the previous week of the household visit and have been looking for a job seriously during the four weeks prior to the household visit (they have at least taken one way to look for a job). This includes those who did not search for jobs during the four weeks prior to the household visit because they were waiting for a job or starting their own business in the coming period, where they had already been looking for work before the time reference period and at the same time they were able to work and were ready to join it (If available), during the week preceding the household visit. Additionally, jobseekers can be defined as Saudi individuals (males or females) enrolled in the job search programs of the Ministry of Civil Service (Jadarah or Saa’ed) and the Human Resources Development Fund (Hafiz), and they register their personal data, qualifications, practical experiences and CVs through an electronic system. Not to mention that job seekers in the administrative records are not subject to the internationally recognized standards and conditions of unemployment approved by the ILO, and therefore are not considered to be unemployed. Hence, not every job seeker is considered unemployed, S/he may be looking for work and is working in another job, this is the case in those who seek a government job and are working, for example, in the private sector and not registered in the records of the General Organization of Social Insurance (GOSI), as if there is a jobseeker and s/he works in the private sector and subscribed in GOSI, s/he ca not be considered within jobseekers in the labor market bulletin.

GaStat: A Decline in the Real-Estate Price Indicator During the First Quarter of 2018   On Monday, the 7th of Shaaban 1439H corresponding April 23, 2018, The General Authority for Statistics (GaStat) released the report of Real Estate Price index, Q1 2018. The report is  published on GaStat official website www.stats.gov.sa.com .Furthermore, the indicator is based on the data records about real-estate’s transactions available at the Ministry of Justice, and it is an important tool to support economic and statistical decision makers regarding the changes of property prices and future forecasts during different periods of time. According to the report, the real-estate price index has recorded a decline by (1.5%) compared to the same quarter of last year (Q1, 2017). The report attributed this decline to the decrease in the main sectors composing it: the housing sector (2.0%), the commercial sector (4.4%), and the agricultural sector (0.4%).  Moreover, the indicator edged down (0.5%) compared to the previous quarter (Q4 2017) reaching (84.2%) in the first quarter of 2018 compared to (84.6%) for the previous quarter. This decline can be attributed to the main sectors composing it where they witnessed varying degrees of decline: (0.7%) for the housing sector, (0.5%) for the commercial sector and (0.1%) for the agricultural sector.  It is worth mentioning that the indicator of the Real Estate Price index, which aims at founding outstanding real-estate statistical indicators that measure the performance of Saudi real-estate market and meeting the data needs in this sector, covers three main sectors consisting of several types of real estate: housing sector which includes the following (plot of land, building, villa, apartment and house), commercial sector includes (plot of land, building, exhibition, commercial center or shop), agricultural sector with one category which is the agricultural land.

The General Authority for Statistics (GaStat) is the responsible entity for building indicators of the Kingdom's sustainable development goals The kingdom concludes its participation in the 7th meeting for the participated international organizations and the experts team of the sustainable development goals’ indicators The kingdom concludes its participation in the 7th meeting for the participated international organizations and the experts team of the sustainable development goals’ indicators. This meeting was hosted by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) between 9-13 of April to review the classifications of the sustainable development goals, discuss the implementation of the guidelines of data flow, report the global data, document the best practices in reporting the global data, and to review a number of suggestions to obtain additional indicators for the sustainable development. The president of GaStat, HE Dr.Fahad bin Sulaiman AL-Tekhaifi , who headed the Saudi delegation participating in the meetings, affirmed that Saudi Arabia is one of the countries that made significant progress in achieving the goals of the sustainable development, since that GaStat is the official entity responsible for building indicators of sustainable development in accordance with the governance of the work of statistical entities accredited to all countries to enable access to data of the index production. And that is through making a plan to collect the data of the index production whether by the implemented surveys, implementing new surveys, adding new questions to the existing surveys, or through the administrative records. in addition, identifying the government entities that produce data related to those indicators and follow-up the international and regional work of the sustainable development goals in particular and other development goals in general. HE added that GaStat has the membership of the regional committee which includes the Standing Committee for Progress Indicators and Sustainability 2030 of the GCC statistical centre. GaStat has also examined the current situation of the sustainable development goals 2030, identified its sources and availability in the Kingdom, as well as its periodicity, coverage and classification. It is worth mentioning that The United Nations General Assembly in partnership with the member countries, international organizations and civil society have identified (17) goals, (169) purposes and more than (2440 indicators for the sustainable development, and have also established the Inter-Agency Expert Group for the Indicators of Sustainable Development Goals (IAEG-SDGs) on 6 March 2015, which is composed of member countries, including regional and international agencies. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by GaStat, participates in all meetings of committees and organizations related to sustainable development.

To be organized by King Khalid University on the 8th of Shaaban GaStat is stressing on the importance of the second symposium of the Saudi Association for Statistical Sciences The General Authority for Statistics (GaStat) is stressing on the significant role of the academic sector as it represents one of the four main components of the Saudi statistical sector, which consists also of GaStat, and the statistical units in the public and private sectors. The vice president of statistical innovation and customer service, Dr. Mohammed Alahmed said that the second symposium of the Saudi association for statistical sciences, which will be held on 8/8/1439 H, and organized by King Khalid University under the patronage of the president of King Khalid University, Dr. Falleh bin Raja Allah Al-Solamy, entitled “ The Role of Statistics in Big Data Revolution” is one of the plans that GaStat works on to activate the role of the academic sector including the universities, faculty members, and students. In this respect, he indicated that GaStat is implementing many projects and programs in cooperation with many universities for the purpose of involving the all statistical divisions in the future plan of statistics in Saudi Arabia.  It is worth mentioning that the second symposium of the Saudi association for statistical sciences which will involve a number of scientific lectures presented by some statisticians is considered a good opportunity for all those who are interested in statistics, so they can nominate themselves to the association’s board of directors through convening a general meeting which is preceded by a number of activities.  The Saudi association for statistical sciences was established at King Khalid University in 1425 H. it was established to achieve a clear vision through which the association can participate in developing the Saudi society. This association seeks to create means of communication between those specializing in statistics through convening and organizing seminars and conferences, in addition to building statistical software and technologies, working on new statistical teaching methods, and providing consultations and applied scientific studies for the public and private sectors. It also seeks to support and promote cooperation between researchers in different fields of the statistical sciences inside and outside the Kingdom. Moreover, The Saudi association for statistical sciences seeks to apply its ambitious plan after restructuring its board of directors during the symposium. This plan is represented in holding international conferences and national seminars within the frame of its approach, which attempts to improve the scientific research in the field of statistics. The association also works on developing the statistical field and activating its role in the society. In addition, it seeks to achieve a scientific communication between its members, strengthen its relations with the universities and the other Saudi institutions, exchange the scientific production and ideas between the scientific authorities and institutions inside and outside Saudi Arabia, in addition to opening other branches of the association in some Saudi universities.

To build detailed indicators that observe woman’s participation in development GaStat and KSU Establish National Observatory for Woman's Participation in Development (NOW) GaStat has signed a memorandum of understanding with King Saud University KSU as part of its policy to meet the needs of customers in the public and private sectors and to establish effective partnerships with all relevant parties, and as part of its attempts to provide innovative statistical products in accordance with international standards; in addition to its efforts to develop the necessary indicators for future and current needs. Moreover, the signing was within the agenda of the first conference of the National Observatory for Women (NOW) titled "The role of women in development towards a thriving economy" which will end on Thursday 19 of Rajab 1439H. The conference aims to evaluate and enhance the role of women in development as well as identifying detailed indicators for their participation in the development fields. The memorandum was signed by GaStat and KSU with the presence of HE the Minister of Labor and Social Development. It seeks to a cooperation with the Authority within the scope of work of “NOW”; specifically, in building detailed indicators to observe those participations. It also aims to update the indicators periodically, prepare and implement statistical studies to support and improve woman’s participation in development. The memorandum also calls for unifying the efforts and data sources as well as maintaining the security and privacy of data; delivering them to decision makers and beneficiaries based on agreed standards. Additionally, the memorandum requires cooperation and integration between GaStat and NOW to provide electronic services through data exchange to serve the public interest and that is within the authorities of GaStat and NOW. As a result, GaStat will provide NOW with the related statistical data to build the indicators of woman’s participation in development especially that increasing the woman’s participation is one of the objectives of the Kingdom’s vision 2030. The memorandum also indicates the cooperation between GaStat and NOW to exchange data as well as economic and development statistical indicators that support the work of NOW through (GSN). On the other hand, the president of GaStat Dr.Fahad bin Sulaiman AL-Tekhaifi confirmed that signing the memorandum of understanding with KSU comes within the framework of GaStat to achieve the statistical transformation in the Kingdom and he also stressed on the importance of the partnership of the academic sector with government entities. Moreover, his excellency explained that NOW has appeared along with the transformations witnessed by the national economy from restructuring and building economic base that relies on diversity and optimal utilization of the great potentials of Saudi woman. Dr.AL-Tekhaifi indicated that government entities are living in an exceptional stage of support  with the availability of participatory tools for the development journey, and that NOW will deeply analyze the statistics related to woman’s participation in development in all its areas to support policy and decision makers.

According to the population characteristics survey, July 2017 GaStat: Population annual growth rate in Saudi Arabia is 2.52%   The General Authority for Statistics (GaStat) indicated that during the previous period, the authority has conducted a set of population statistics surveys, last of which was the population characteristics survey which has been implemented on the field during the period from 17/7/1438 H to 22/8/1438 H corresponding 14/4/2017 to 18/5/2017.     GaStat spokesman, Taiseer Almufarrij said that according to the population characteristics survey2017, the number of Saudi Arabia’s population is (32552336) compared to (31742038)    which is the number registered in the demographic survey 2016, with a growth rate of (2.52%). The population are distributed by gender (57.48%) males, and (42.52%) females in 2017 (1438H).  those percentages are similar to the percentages of 2016’s survey where males registered (57.44%) and females registered (42.56%). According to 2016 survey results, the number of Saudi population was estimated at (20,064,970) with an increase of (343.392) persons. However, Saudi population are distributed by gender with (50.95%) males and (49.06%) females in 2017 (1438H). those percentages are similar to the percentages of 2016’s survey where males registered (50.96%) and females registered (49.04%).  Almufarrij added that the survey contained households’ data including the marital status, educational status, demographic structure of Saudi and non-Saudi population on the level of Saudi administrative regions. Through the survey, many indicators were extracted such as mortality rate, population’ age and gender structure, and levels of marriage and divorce.  On the other hand, GaStat has started working with specialists and experts from some governmental entities and followed a number of steps in preparation for 2020-1441 H census. The data of this census includes demographic, economic, and educational characteristics of population, dwelling characteristics that are represented in the geographical and distinct data, and dwelling housing characteristics.

Shura Council confirms that it agrees with the transformation program of the statistical sector The General Authority for Statistics (GaStat): Shura's Comments about the Annual Report Are of Our Concern GaStat thanked the Chairman of the Shura Council and all the members for their comments and suggestions about the work of the Authority at its twenty-fifth meeting of the second year of the seventh session, in which the Council discussed the annual report of GaStat for the fiscal year 1437/1438. The official spokesman of the Authority, Mr. Tayseer Al-Mufrraj, said that GaStat is committed to consider the comments to deepen the positive impact in the development of the statistical sector in the Kingdom and to lead the statistical work. He stressed that the comments made by the members of the Shura Council are in line with the transformation program of the statistical sector carried out by the Authority.

It links data to a geographical location to analyze and extract reports GaStat Launches an “Interactive Map" to Present Statistical Data for the Services in Saudi Arabia As part of its efforts to support decision makers and policy makers and enable their customers to use statistical data and access them based on their needs, GaStat  has launched the "Interactive Map" on its official website www.stats.gov.sa  for the Services Guide that was recently released by the Authority, which is the unified reference for the services available in different regions of the Kingdom’s cities and villages. The interactive map is a technical tool that reviews statistical data by linking the statistical data to the geographical location to show the spread of the services on an interactive map for the Kingdom. This will add extra features and enable the user to make logical questions as well as spatial analysis on the services database. It also enables the user to reach the statistical data of the geographical location clearly for the different distribution of the services at the Kingdom’s level. Moreover, the interactive map provides basic data for planners, policy makers and decision makers based on the names in the administrative regions. It depends on the data classification in five major groups that include: health services, education services, higher education services, public services, statistical reports of services. The map can review the details of each service according to the service provider, which allows the user to perform a search by specifying the names that contain a specific service within a specific search, or to identify the nearest populated area on the map. It also displays the distribution of services according to the type of service or the administrative areas. Additionally, it includes a "service calculator" which is a tool for making logical queries on the database. The “services calculator” enables a logical search of all the elements of the database and it reviews the results on the map to understand the form of geomagnetic distributions of any search and the possibility to extract the results on an Excel file. The interactive map provides the totals, components and distributions of the services in Saudi Arabia at the level of its administrative regions, illustrated by graphs and geographical maps. It also offers an application designed to release statistical reports for various services at the level of the administrative region, governorate, municipality or populated area based on the needs of the user and with the possibility to print a report for the search results.

Including Aseer Region, Al baha, Jazan and Najran The General Authority for Statistics Starts the Second Phase of Updating the Guidebook for the Populated Areas, in Preparation for the 2020 Population Census In preparation for the population and houses census project (2020- 1441 AH) GaStat started to work according to a series of steps and in coordination with a number of government agencies on the technical arrangements of the implementation “for updating the populated areas guidebook”. It is considered the first field steps proceeding the census 2020 project. These steps are according to a timetable that includes all the stages of updating the guidebook for the populated names for different regions of the Kingdom and it includes: Aseer Region, Al baha Region, Jazan Region and Najran Region. In addition, there will be a number of stages that covers all the Kingdom regions during this year 2018. This project aims to update the guidebook for the populated areas in the field and to process its data by observing all the changes occurred in the guidebook. Moreover, during the updating process, the number of dwellings and establishments in the populated areas are considered and distributed to statistical work areas, also linking the populated areas to the national address, identifying the populated areas on maps and making any necessary divisions.  As well as counting the rugged areas, Badia areas and areas requiring prior coordination. On the other hand, the General authority for statistics (GaStat) has recently held the first specialized workshops to discuss the census form (2020) within a series of workshops related to the form. And that was with the participation of some experts and specialists from the GaStat, and a number of relevant government agencies. The project of population and housing census (2020- 1441 AH) aims to collect and publish the demographic, social and economic data of the population to provide the requirements of the government of basic data on population and housing to build the development plans, also the needs of researchers and planners, and to provide a new framework for all of the specialized statistical researches that are conducted based on the sample method. Additionally, finding a broad base of data and using it as a reliable source to conduct studies and researches required by the development programs, providing the data and indicators of population periodically to measure the population characteristics changes over the time, making local, regional and international comparisons, and to review, evaluate the population estimates in the future.

With Participation of Ektefaa Charity Association in Jeddah GaStat Tends to Activate the Role of ‘’Women’’ in the Statistical Fieldwork GaStat tends to strengthen the statistical fieldwork with trained field staff of female statisticians in various regions of the Kingdom in order to facilitate the way of providing information to families without a male head, emphasizing the role of women as one of the active forces in the statistical sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Where the official spokesman of GaStat, Mr. Taiseer Almofarrej, confirmed that GaStat has completed the preparation of training programs for female statisticians and field work experience.       GaStat cooperated with Ektefaa women's charity association in Jeddah to supervise the process of statisticians’ qualifying and training and to participate in the household related surveys in Jeddah, Riyadh, Hofuf, and Jazan as they have previously worked in this filed. The women’ fieldwork experience is considered one of the programs that prepares them for 2020 population census and other statistical surveys. Almofarrej added that this opportunity will contribute in facilitating data collection from families headed by a woman. Moreover, it will contribute in opening up new areas of women work and increase the women's participation in development to achieve the vision of KSA.          In addition to Ektefaa Association in Jeddah, which supervised the program, it is worth mentioning that a number of associations have participated in this experience, including (Ensan) charity committee for orphans Care in Riyadh, Al-bir society in Al-Ahsa, and Al-bir society in Jazan. Ektefaa Charity association, which is one of the specialized charities in the field of surveying and information collecting and documenting, has provided GaStat with a study on their previous experience on conducting a field survey. The study clarifies the importance of females’ engagement in the implementation of field surveys concerning household affairs. GaStat will evaluate this experience and sit a road map to activate the role of women in the field works that target households.

In order to develop the statistical sector and to follow up sustainable development goals Saudi Arabia Ends its Participation in the Works of the United Nations Statistical Commission (49th Round)   Saudi Arabia Ends its Participation in the Works of the United Nations Statistical Commission (49th Round). It started last Tuesday until yesterday evening at the United Nations headquarters which is in New York City . In addition, the delegation headed by his Excellency Dr. Fahad bin Sulaiman Altekhaifi, president of the General Authority for Statistics. He indicated that the participation was an extension of the authority strategy for international participation. Also, to benefit from the best statistical practices because it reflected on the development of the statistical sector in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Moreover, he added that the kingdom of Saudi Arabia reviewed number of development axes for the statistical sector. During the works of 49th round, there was several presentations and interventions from co-sponsor delegation over four days. AL-Tekhaifi showed the statistical transformative experience was one of the axes where the authority addressed the road map and the dimensions on which it relied. Which is focusing on the importance of the client, quality and the development of the statistical sector. He mentioned that the KSA experience concerned the participants, and the progress of the statistical surveys reflect the affectivity and the importance of the listening to the clients from government entities and data users. Where the average of the surveys perversely were not over than eleven surveys in one year, but now in 2017 there are more than forty-two field surveys. In order to meet the requirements of the government entities and data users accordance with the regional and international requirements. At the level of the international statistical classification, the president of authority indicated that the authority focused on developed the statistical sector in KSA in several trends, Such as unified the use of international statistical classifications in the statistical surveys and administrative registers of ministries, government entities and privet sectors. Moreover, its first steps were unified the use of international industrial classification for economic activities in administrative registers (ISIC4), for all sectors and entities in the country. While, sector workshops were hold and meet bilaterally to define and to raise awareness of the classification. Also, to explain the mechanism of the application, and the importance of the study of the technical fields for all entities that related to. In order to ensure the access to the identical results based on one axis for the guide. Furthermore, the authority will continued the same approach for the rest of international classifications. Where, the same approach of national classification of occupation is applied recently (ISCO-08). The work of (49) round dealt with the household surveys, while authority confirmed that the household surveys is an important and main source for the different social statistics. That's because they are an active element for all the statistical systems, which based on provide several social indicators. It also considers as an important element to provide the related data of monitor progress in order to achieve the goals of sustainable development, under multitude requirements and challenges which faced by the available data.  GaStat Have focused on conducting a share amount of survey on household in that matter. In 2017 Among all the Surveys 17 of them was a household survey, and planning on doing 20 Household survey this year. The Authority is paying a great importance in register data, and has launched a numerous number of partnerships, initiatives and projects to link all the concerned institutions in the direction to come up with data that provides a lot of statistical indicators, also reducing the need for field survey. United Nation Statistical Commission agenda included a number of topics, surrounding the open data. The participant delegators have indicated a number of steps taken by The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on activating the Open data, to establish a high-level national committee for open data, at a ministerial level, led by The General Authority of Statics. To supervise the work regarding open data in Saudi Arabia, and strengthening coordination and partnership between the parties concerned. In addition to that, the project of Saudi Statistical Portal, which the authority is working on with a number of governmental institution, that offers statistical information’s in an up-to-date and easy-to-use way. Also, applying the best technical tools to access the information quicker and better, and applying the standards of data disaggregation as an open data, by international standards. As well as developing the digital content of the portal (e-content). And Increasing the level of e-reediness, In addition, further development of legislative and regulatory framework. The portal wouldn’t be only for the Authority, it would allow the all the institution, Authority’s and Government Institutions, to display their statistics in the same modern way, and working on strengthening the content with open data. The portal will support the social participation; it will allow visitors to publish their articles. The delegators have declared that this project consist of processing the basic data of GaStat, in addition to the other governmental data and the privet sector, to serve as convertible data which could be interactive graphics. GaStat has represented Saudi Arabia in this field lately as a member of the International Labour Organization of Big data and Official States-UN, whose membership includes 22 countries and 9 international authorities’. On the other hand, GaStat have presented, through their participation, about their current experience in National Statistical Data(MASDAR) for conducting data and statistical indicators from the concerned authorities, and work with them to provide, publish and exchange data and national statistical indicators through Databases and specify electronic portals. Which support making decision in Saudi Arabia, also it’s a solid Informational bank to support Saudi Arabia 2030 Vision and National Transformation Programme 2020. GaStat have declared through the presentation that the goal of this programme is to build a comprehensive national statistical database which have all the statistical data from all the inner and outer sources to produce tabulations, indicators and analysis where the users and analysts need those data in or out of the Authority for statistical references to support decision, and making all of the development plans. On the margins of the round the participant Saudi delegates met with a number of statistical commissions relevant to housing, social and economic statistics, as well as the South Korean delegates to discuss the road map of reinstate the agreement between the two countries. It started at the United Nations headquarters which is in New York City, on the last Tuesday until yesterday evening. In addition, the delegation headed by his Excellency Fahad Ibn Sliman AL-Tekhaifi who is the president of the general authority for statistics. He indicated that the participation was an extension of the authority strategy for international participation. Also, to benefit from the best statistical practices because it reflected on the development of the statistical sector in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Moreover, he added that the kingdom of Saudi Arabia reviewed number of development axes for the statistical sector. During the work of (49) round there was several presentations and interventions from co-sponsor delegation over four days. AL-Tekhaifi showed the statistical transformative experience was one of the axes where the authority addressed the road map and the dimensions on which it relied. Which is focusing on the importance of the client, quality and the development of the statistical sector. He mentioned that the KSA experience concerned the participants, and the progress of the statistical surveys reflect the affectivity and the importance of the listening to the clients from government entities and data users. Where the average of the surveys perversely were not over than eleven surveys in one year, but now in 2017 there are more than forty-two field surveys. In order to meet the requirements of the government entities and data users accordance with the regional and international requirements. At the level of the international statistical classification, the president of authority indicated that the authority focused on developed the statistical sector in KSA in several trends, Such as unified the use of international statistical classifications in the statistical surveys and administrative registers of ministries, government entities and privet sectors. Moreover, its first steps were unified the use of international industrial classification for economic activities in administrative registers (ISIC4), for all sectors and entities in the country. While, sector workshops were hold and meet bilaterally to define and to raise awareness of the classification. Also, to explain the mechanism of the application, and the importance of the study of the technical fields for all entities that related to. In order to ensure the access to the identical results based on one axis for the guide. Furthermore, the authority will continued the same approach for the rest of international classifications. Where, the same approach of national classification of occupation is applied recently (ISCO-08). The work of (49) round dealt with the household surveys, while authority confirmed that the household surveys is an important and main source for the different social statistics. That's because they are an active element for all the statistical systems, which based on provide several social indicators. It also considers as an important element to provide the related data of monitor progress in order to achieve the goals of sustainable development, under multitude requirements and challenges which faced by the available data. GaStat Have focused on conducting a share amount of survey on household in that matter. In 2017 Among all the Surveys 17 of them was a household survey, and planning on doing 20 Household survey this year. The Authority is paying a great importance in register data, and has launched a numerous number of partnerships, initiatives and projects to link all the concerned institutions in the direction to come up with data that provides a lot of statistical indicators, also reducing the need for field survey. United Nation Statistical Commission agenda included a number of topics, surrounding the open data. The participant delegators have indicated a number of steps taken by The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on activating the Open data, to establish a high-level national committee for open data, at a ministerial level, led by The General Authority of Statics. To supervise the work regarding open data in Saudi Arabia, and strengthening coordination and partnership between the parties concerned. In addition to that, the project of Saudi Statistical Portal, which the authority is working on with a number of governmental institution, that offers statistical information’s in an up-to-date and easy-to-use way. Also, applying the best technical tools to access the information quicker and better, and applying the standards of data disaggregation as an open data, by international standards. As well as developing the digital content of the portal (e-content). And Increasing the level of e-reediness, In addition, further development of legislative and regulatory framework. The portal wouldn’t be only for the Authority, it would allow the all the institution, Authority’s and Government Institutions, to display their statistics in the same modern way, and working on strengthening the content with open data. The portal will support the social participation; it will allow visitors to publish their articles. The delegators have declared that this project consist of processing the basic data of GaStat, in addition to the other governmental data and the privet sector, to serve as convertible data which could be interactive graphics. GaStat has represented Saudi Arabia in this field lately as a member of the International Labour Organization of Big data and Official States-UN, whose membership includes 22 countries and 9 international authorities’. On the other hand, GaStat have presented, through their participation, about their current experience in National Statistical Data(MASDAR) for conducting data and statistical indicators from the concerned authorities, and work with them to provide, publish and exchange data and national statistical indicators through Databases and specify electronic portals. Which support making decision in Saudi Arabia, also it’s a solid Informational bank to support Saudi Arabia 2030 Vision and National Transformation Programme 2020. GaStat have declared through the presentation that the goal of this programme is to build a comprehensive national statistical database which have all the statistical data from all the inner and outer sources to produce tabulations, indicators and analysis where the users and analysts need those data in or out of the Authority for statistical references to support decision, and making all of the development plans. On the margins of the round the participant Saudi delegates met with a number of statistical commissions relevant to housing, social and economic statistics, as well as the South Korean delegates to discuss the road map of reinstate the agreement between the two countries.

Aiming to raise statistical awareness among students by using a scientific and attractive way GaStat starts receiving students in “ The smart statistitician” exhibition in cooperation with “Scitech” Khobar As part of its plan to raise statistical awareness among all society categories including school students, GaStat organizes the exhibition of “ The smart statistitician” in cooperation with Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Centre for Science and Technology “ Scitech” in Al Khobar city. The exhibition events are held in the centre during the period 9-20 Jumada the second 1439 H corresponding 25th of February- 8th of March 2018.  The exhibition which targets the students of intermediate schools, aims at showing how important is statistics in the life of students by using a scientific and attractive way. It also aims at identifying the most distinct concepts associated with statistics, in addition to raising the level of statistical awareness among students. Furthermore, this exhibition enhances the students’ recognition of the role of statistical entities and field statisticians, and the role of provided data accuracy on development as students are considered effective tools in conveying what they learn to their households.  The exhibition starts receiving the students by a demo video, so the students can get new scientific information in an attractive and entertaining way. The video will introduce statistics, the difference between statistics and mathematics, the General Authority for Statistics’ role, the role of students and households in GaStat work, and the way statistical research are implemented by simulating this experience and making students act like statisticians in their household visits.  The exhibition, which opens at 9 AM and closes at 1 PM (week days), includes many competitions such as the competition of the regions and numbers which aims at providing information about the population numbers in each region. There is also the competition of statistical symbols which teaches students about the importance of population and housing census and all statistical surveys in general.

General Authority for Statistics Releases the Sixteenth “Services Guide 2017” and View Its Results in an Interactive Map on Its Website More than 5,800 tables covering the information of more than 16,000 populated areas General Authority for Statistics issues the sixteenth “Services Guide 2017” and view its results in an interactive map on its website On Monday 10/6/1439H - 26/2/2018, GaStat issued the sixteenth Services Guide of cities and villages’ statistics on its official website. This guide is considered an official unified reference for all services of governmental and private entities in the different Saudi regions with all their cities and villages. The guides of the thirteen regions contain data and information for 16.263 populated areas (city – village), including geographical information and data, educational and health serveries, and data related to the availability of administrative, social, and agricultural services as well as public services. This guide contains (5810) detailed tables.  Moreover, this guide, which was prepared by 27 entities, is one of the most important statistical references for the data of cities and villages. It is issued by GaStat every three years in order to provide a unified and official reliable data and information at a high level of accuracy. These data and information are about all available services of cities and villages. So that it can be a unified reference for all government ministries, institution and organization, researchers, students, and media. The guide of each administrative region includes geographical data and information on the level of populated areas (city, village) and their services such as the services of public and privet education with their three stages, Quranic schools services, higher education services, technical, industrial, agricultural, and health education services, scientific, vocational, and commercial institutes services, institutes for persons with disabilities services, elderly and kindergarten schools services.  Furthermore, there are other services such as health services which include hospitals, health-care centers, public and privet clinics, Saudi Arabian red crescent services, data of administrative centers (governorate, municipality), traffic, police, and civil defense centers, departments of civil affairs, passport, Awqaf (religious affairs department), labor offices, committee for the propagation of virtue and prohibition of vice, writings of justice, courts, municipalities, social security offices, social development centers, ministry of agriculture and its brunches,  agricultural development funds, real estate’s  development fund, industrial development fund, lending bank, and the branches of ministries and authorities .In addition to the public services which include electricity, water, telecommunications, post offices, travel and tourism agencies, and banking services. GaStat declared today that the data reference year is the fiscal year of 1436 H/1437 H (2016). However, the public education services guide results show that the total number of public and private primary schools in all thirteen regions is (14.688) schools, with (1.457.326) male students and (1.469.797) female Students.  As for the intermediate schools, the total number in all thirteen regions is (8.607) schools, with (694.612) male students and (657.043) female students. Whereas the total number of public and private high schools in all thirteen regions is (5.713) schools, with (647.292) male students and (633.821) female students. The results of the services guide also show that there are (39) public and private universities in all thirteen regions of Saudi Arabia iincluding (688.644) male students, (752.356) female students, (41.954) male faculty members, and (34.037) female faculty members. However, the number of public and private colleges at the regional level has reached (112) colleges, (119,251) male students, (35,233) female students, (6,588) male faculty members, and (2,250) female lecturers.       According to the results of the guide of the health services, the total number of private and public hospitals has reached (469) hospitals, with (69.450) beds. Whereas the total number of government’s health care centers and private clinics has reached (4.808) centers in the Kingdom. Moreover, the total number of doctors in all government and private hospitals, government’s health care centers, and private clinics has reached (53.230) males and (25.917) females. Furthermore, the number of nursing staff has reached (30.849) males, and (131.896) females in the Kingdom. As for the total number of Red Crescent and Ambulance Centers, it has reached (397), with (4.850) paramedics, and (871) ambulance cars. On the other hand, GaStat through its official website provides data of Services Guide through interactive map to keep up with the latest technology in the statistical field with a set of tools, functions, methods of research and logical analyses on the databases. As well as use Geographic Information Systems techniques in linking the statistical statement with the geographical coordinates of the site on the map to benefit from the spatial dimension as an element of the statistical statement in different searches and analyzes processes. It's worth noting that the Guide of Government Services Statistics for cities and villages of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia released every three years based on the royal decree no. 3/w/26301 of 30/11/1401H states that the GaStat must arrange to release the Services Guide in cities and villages of the Kingdome of Saudi Arabia which contributes to the processes of planning and establishing future visions for development services to benefit the citizens in all Kingdom’s regions.

The Prince of the Eastern Province, Prince Ahmad Bin Fahad Values the Role of GaStat in Providing Updated Data and Statistics to All Government Entities His Royal Highness the deputy prince of Eastern Province, prince Ahmad bin Fahad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz welcomed his excellency the President of the General Authority for Statistics, Dr. Fahad bin Salman Altukhifi and his delegation at his office in the principality court today Sunday. His Highness reviewed the latest data of the Eastern Province within the Services Guide 2017, released by the Authority through its website. Additionally, he stressed that this high-level movement comes from the support and follow- up by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, may Allah protect them. Furthermore, it aims to push forward the Comprehensive Economic Development, as well as it spurs all government bodies including GaStat to work positively with the requirements of the stage. Also, he appreciated the role of GaStat in providing updated data and statistics to all government entities that support decision and policy makers. His excellency the President of GaStat, Dr. Fahad Altukhifi clarified that the Eastern Region is witnessing a development on various levels led by his Highness the prince of the province and his deputy that lead us to follow these steps in the General Authority for Statistics, reflecting the numbers which are important indicators for the development across all governorates and regions. Moreover, he pointed out that the Services Guide 2017 published by the Authority through its website, includes statistics of services for the kingdom’s cities and villages. As well as it considers a unified official reference to the services of all governmental and non-governmental bodies available at different regions of the kingdom at the level of its cities and villages. Where it contributes to the processes of planning and establishing future visions for development services to benefit the citizens in all kingdom’s regions. The Guide, in which 27 governmental entities contributed to its preparation to be as a source of information for data, aims to provide geographic database for each populated area that has an accredited service, database on educational services, health services, social and development services, beside public services, administrative services, financial and banking services, as well as providing database for the most important service facilities at the level of kingdom’s regions.

50 Students Participate at the General Authority for Statistics “Cooperative Training Program" this semester The General Authority for Statistics has implemented the “cooperative training program’’ with the participation of 50 students from educational institutions during this semester for many majors including economics, statistics, accounting, media, mathematics, information technology, administration and law. The program provides the trainees with the opportunity to apply for a number of academic courses that students have taken within their educational institutions in the labor market. within a period of time to be counted in the academic graduation program. The training program, which runs from hours to four months, aims to help students gain the practical skills and efficiency in their fields of study in their university, allowing them to develop many of their practical experiences that may differ in nature from those gain over during periods of study. The training period helps colleges and universities to evaluate the academic preparation of their students through the report of their Cooperative Training Program, statements and job evaluation reports given by the direct supervisor to the trainee at the General Authority for Statistics. The "Cooperative Training" program aims to attract outstanding students from the newly graduated for the General Authority for Statistics. The program also aims to strengthen the relations between the General Authority for Statistics and the educational institutions in the public and private sectors. The General Authority for Statistics aims to do a couple of programs and projects to activate the academic sector considering it one of the four basic components of the statistical sector besides the Authority and the statistical units in government agencies and the private sector. These programs goal is to participate with fields that are related to the statistical work and the future plan for statistics in the kingdom and its transformation program. And also to cooperate with universities to evaluate or develop the products of the statistical work. The Authority has given a couple of programs to the Saudi universities during the last period.

After joining the program of international comparisons and experts of tourism satellite accounts, and to confirm its role in the international statistics map “Saudi Statistics” is a member in the Global Work Group on big data for official statistics After being a board member in the international comparison program and the international experts team for developing tourism satellite accounts 2017, Saudi Arabia, represented in the General Authority for Statistics (GaStat), has become a member in the Global Work Group (GWG) on big data for official statistics which pertains to the United Nations. This group includes 22 countries and 9 international authorities. Saudi Arabia has decided to be a member in this group to reflect the positive role of GaStat in the UN different statistical programs. It also wants to show its progress in the field of big data. GaStat is represented in this group by three statistical and technical leaders who are considered experts in big data; dr. Mohammed Alahmed, vice president of statistical innovation and customer service, Mr. Khalid Aldalqan, deputy of information technology, and Dr. Aseel Almansour, director-general of statistical innovation department. Dr. Fahad bin Sulaiman Altekhaifi, GaStat president, asserted that Saudi Arabia has decided to be a member in the global work group on big data for official statistics to confirm the effective role of Saudi Arabia in the international statistics map. This membership will reflect the results of the Saudi statistical sector’s strategic transformation which Saudi Arabia is really concerned about and support for its role in enhancing the national development decisions. He added, joining this group will enhance the role of Saudi Arabia in the field of big data internationally. The participation of GaStat in this group is represented through capacity building and raising awareness about the importance of big data, in addition to joining the global platform for data, services, and applications. Altekhaifi indicated that the participation of those three national leaders among an elite of worldwide data and statistics experts under the umbrella of the United Nations Statistical Commission is considered an opportunity to benefit from the group works’ outputs. It will contribute in developing the use of big data in Saudi Arabia as these data are one of the very important recent sources of information, in addition to the field surveys and register data. Moreover, it will have an essential role in addressing issues pertaining to methodology, quality, technology, data access, legislation, privacy, and management. It will also pave the way for collaborations with the most distinct statistical organizations such as the international institutions, data producers, and big data experts. This might increase the quality of statistical products provided by GaStat to support decision and policy makers. Furthermore, the group works and results will collaborate in raising the level of information exchange about the big data projects in the statistical community. It is worth mentioning that the creation of the Global Working Group (GWG) on Big Data for Official Statistics was agreed at the 45th session of the UN statistical commission which was held last November. The group work aims at investigating the benefits and challenges of Big Data, including the potential for monitoring and reporting on the sustainable development goals. In addition to Saudi Arabia, the Global Work Group includes 21 representatives and some international organizations: Eurostat, GCC-Stat, ITU, OECD, UNECE, UNESCAP, UNSD, UN Global Pulse, World Bank

The Indicator Covers Three Main Sectors (Housing, Commercial, Agricultural) GaStat Releases Real-Estate Prices Index for the 4th Quarter 2017 The General Authority for Statistics (GaStat) released on Sunday, 11 Jumada Al-Awal 1439H corresponding to January 28, 2018, its quarterly indicator for the General Index of the Real Estate Prices Q4  2017 in Saudi Arabia and published it on its official website www.stats.gov.sa.com . Furthermore, the indicator is based on the data records about real-estate’s transactions available at the Ministry of Justice, and it is an important tool to support economic and statistical decision makers regarding the changes of property prices and future forecasts during different periods of time. The indicator covers three main sectors consisting of several types of real estate: housing sector which includes the followings (plot of land, building, villa, apartment and house), commercial sector includes (plot of land, building, exhibition, commercial center or shop), agricultural sector with one category which is the agricultural land. On the other hand, the indicator recorded a decline amounted to (3.2%) compared to the same quarter last year (Q4 2016). The indicator attributed this decline to the decrease of the main sectors composing it: the housing sector (2.2%), the commercial sector (5.7%) and the agricultural sector (0.6%). Moreover, the indicator edged down (0.3%) compared to the previous quarter (Q3 2017) reaching (84.6%) in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to (84.9%) for the previous quarter. This decline is attributable to the main sectors composing it where they witnessed varying degrees of decline: (0.2%) for the housing sector, (0.7%) for the commercial sector and (0.1%) for the agricultural sector. It is worth mentioning that the release of the Index of Real Estate Prices for Q4 2017 came along with the introductory meeting of Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, this meeting was within the Authority's plan to raise the statistical awareness of all its customers in which a number of meetings were held previously to discuss Real Estate Price Index in Riyadh and Dammam last year.

It Shows the Housing Characteristics of Dwellings Occupied with Saudi Households Housing Survey 2017 Findings Now Released by GaStat The General Authority for Statistics (GaStat) released on Thursday, 8 Jumada Al-Awal 1439H (25 January 2018)  the findings of the Housing Survey 2017, through its official website www.stats.gov.sa.com. This survey was implemented during the period (17/7 - 22/8) / 1438H) corresponding to (14/4 - 18/5/2017). Furthermore, it was prepared in cooperation with the Ministry of Housing and it shows the housing characteristics of dwellings occupied with Saudi households. On other hand, Housing Surveys are one of the most important data sources necessary for development planning in the economic and social fields in general and for housing initiatives in particular, both at the national and local levels. Moreover, Housing Surveys aim to: provide data about the dwellings occupied with households at the administrative level of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, study the influence of the surrounding environment and the housing characteristics, create database for housing in order to provide the requirements of the government and the needs of the planners and researchers from the main data about the housing characteristics required by the development plans, provide data and indicators on housing periodically to measure changes in housing characteristics over time and to make local, regional and international comparisons and measure the improvements and the growth in the housing fields by type of dwelling, age of dwelling occupied with the household. In addition, (owned) dwellings and occupied with Saudi households amounted to (49.91%) according to the Housing Survey 2017 findings. (Owned) dwellings that were built by using non-reinforced concreate (clay, stone, bricks, slabs) are excluded from this, in which their rate recorded a decrease down from (13.38%) in 2016 to nearly (10%) in 2017.  Furthermore, (rented) dwellings and occupied with Saudi households represent (38%), and (1.69%) for dwellings provided by employer. It is worth mentioning that findings of this survey did not show the individuals’ ownership of dwellings rate but it discusses the housing characteristics such as: type of tenure of the household’s dwelling included in the field survey. Additionally, villas occupied with Saudi households accounted for (29.44%) of the total number of dwellings occupied with Saudi households, the percentage of apartments occupied with Saudi households was (43.67%) and (7.73%) was for floors in villas occupied with Saudi households. On the other hand, the findings showed that the predominant material used in the construction of dwellings occupied with Saudi households was the reinforced concreate by (87.95%). Dwellings occupied with Saudi households, in which (brick) was used in its construction accounted for (11.88%). In terms of household energy, the findings showed that the percentage of dwellings occupied with Saudi households that depend on the public water network as a source of water recorded (74.28%) of the total number of dwellings occupied with Saudi households, and (99.8%) of dwellings depend on the electricity public network as its main source. In addition, (7.88%) was for dwellings occupied with Saudi households for less than (5) years, (25.38%) was for dwellings occupied with Saudi households between (5 and less than 10 years), and dwellings occupied with Saudi households between (10 to 20 years) accounted for (30.09%). Moreover, GaStat indicate that census surveys conducted every ten years depend on the comprehensive inventory of all dwellings. However, housing surveys depend on the sampling method of selected households chosen in a scientific manner. The survey form includes accurate details to support housing initiatives in which it allows the possibility of studying housing characteristics in a more comprehensive and detailed manner. The findings reveal the housing characteristics of the dwellings occupied with Saudi households at the administrative regions of the Kingdom. Many indicators can be extracted through this survey, such as: dwelling type, approximate age of the dwelling, building material, flooring material, type of possession, source of water, drinking water, source of electricity for the dwelling and other housing indicators related to the dwelling.

A specialized survey, measuring the spread of disability, contains all disability statistics details GaStat: (2.9%) of Saudi population have disability with (extreme) difficulty To get real statistical indicators that reflect the disability spread rates in Saudi and the disability categories in terms of difficulty degrees and spread among society people to be a reference for developing policies, making decisions, providing proper services for persons with disability, and fulfilling the needs of planners, researchers, and those who are interested in disability studies,  the General Authority for Statistics (GaStat) has issued a report containing the results of “ persons with disability survey 2017”. When defining disability and classifying its difficulty degrees, GaStat has relied on the elaborated definition of Washington Group on Disability Statistics which contains all difficulty degrees of disability: mild, severe, and extreme. The survey results indicated that (2.9%) of Saudi population have disability with extreme difficulty.     According to the survey results, Riyadh region has registered a disability rate of (25.13%) which is the highest rate of disabled persons compared to the other Saudi regions. However, Najran region registered the lowest rate of disability with (0.87%). The survey results have also showed that the most spread difficulty among disabled Saudi population who only have one difficulty is the visual impairment. Persons with disability who suffer from visual impairment have registered (46.02%) among all Saudi disabled population with different degrees: mild (67.8%), severe (28.5%), and extreme (3.7%). As for the most spread difficulties among Saudi disabled population who suffer from multiple difficulties, physical difficulties have registered the highest rate with (29.13%) with different degrees: mild (54.07%), severe (29.22%), and extreme (16.71%).     It is worth mentioning that persons with disability survey includes many tables that are already published on the website. More than 40 detailed tables that include a large number of statistical data such as disability rates with its different degrees and categories, disabled population structure regarding their age and type, educational status, and occupational status.

Within the Results of the Labor Market Bulletin for the Third Quarter of 2017 The General Authority for Statistics: Stability in the Unemployment Rate of the Saudi Population at (12.8%) and a Decline in the Total Unemployment Rate to Reach (5.8%) The General Authority for Statistics (GaStat) published on its official website www.stats.gov.sa  the Labor Market Bulletin for the third quarter of 2017, which provides comprehensive data and indicators on the labor market in the Kingdom from the estimates of the labor force survey conducted by the Authority on a quarterly basis, in addition to the labor market data from the administrative records of the relevant entities (Ministry of Labor and Social Development, Ministry of Civil Service, General Organization for Social Insurance, Human Resources Development Fund and National Information Center). The results of the bulletin for the third quarter of 2017 showed stability in the unemployment rate of the Saudi population at its previous level during the second quarter of 2017, where it stabilized at (12.8%), (7.4%) for males and (32.7%) for females, and a decline in the total unemployment rate (15 years and above) compared to the second quarter of 2017, where it reached (5.8%) in this quarter (3.2%) for males and (21.1%) for females. The total number of workers from the data of administrative records in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reached (13,758,064) indivisuals, the total number of Saudis jobseekrs from the records of administrative reached (1,231,549) individuals, (190,822) are males and (1,040,727) are females. The highest percentage of Saudis jobseekers in the age group (25-29) was represented by 31.3%. Moreover, the results showed that nearly half of the Saudi jobseekers hold Bachelor degrees and their percentages reached (45.8%). According to the administrative records of the relevant entities, the total number of work visas issued reached 509,180. (22.3%) for the public sector, (37.8%) for the domestic sector and (39.9%) for the private sector. The bulletin included a large number of detailed data on workers according to the regulations they are subject to, and according to the nationality, gender, age, administrative region and educational level, as well as data on job seekers, average monthly wage, working hours and domestic workers. On the other hand, the official spokesman of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), Mr.Tayseer Al-Mafarj, clarified that there is a difference between job seekers and unemployed. The "unemployed" according to the Labor Force Survey are the individuals (15 years and above) who were jobless during the period of the time reference (the survey period): the previous week of the household visit and have been looking for a job seriously during the four weeks prior to the household visit (they have at least taken one way to look for a job). This includes those who did not search for work during the four weeks prior to the household visit because they were waiting for a job or starting their own business in the coming period, where they had already been looking for work before the time reference period and at the same time they were able to work and were ready to join it (If available), during the week preceding the household visit. Additionally, the definition of job seekers is the Saudi individuals (males or females) enrolled in the job search programs of the Ministry of Civil Service (Jdarah or Saed) and the Human Resources Development Fund (Hafiz). And they register their personal data, qualifications, practical experiences and CVs through an electronic system. It is worth to mention that job seekers in the administrative records are not subject to the internationally recognized standards and conditions of unemployment approved by the ILO and therefore are not considered to be unemployed. Hence, not every job seeker is considered unemployed, he may be looking for work and is working in another job, this is the case in job seekers in government entities who are working, for example, in the private sector.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) Held an Introductory Workshop and Issued the Unified Guide Government Entities Start to Implement the National Guide for Economic Activities (ISIC4) in the Middle of the Current Month The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) explained that it has completed the preparations for enabling the government entities related to economic activities to implement the "National Classification for Economic Activities", the classification was taken from the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities, the forth version (ISIC4), and was issued by the United Nations Economic and Social Council. And it is considered as an approved Classification for Economic Activities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia starting next Monday 14 Rabi Thani, 1 January 2018. The official spokesman of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), Tayseer Al-Mafraj, confirmed that the Authority has held several workshops for the relevant entities during the past period of time and prepared a unified guide and an electronic room for operations and communication in preparation for the start of the adoption of the National Classification for Economic Activities that can be defined as the way in which counting units can be collected according to a serial order and defined by homogeneous groups with a view to creating a general framework for comparison of statistical data at the local, regional and international levels. He also pointed out that the data of economic activity can be divided according to the guide prepared for this to specific levels in a manner similar to the characteristics of economic activities classified in one rank.  The official spokesman added that the implementation of the Unified Classification for the Economic Activities aims at creating a general framework for comparing statistical data at the local, regional and international levels, and providing a set of statistical data classified according to the economic activity. In addition, the implementation of the Unified Classification for Economic Activities contributes to the organization and restructuring of all sectors, supports the project of electronic connectivity between different entities, improves the quality of administrative records data of the relevant entities, and provides a comprehensive framework of economic activities to facilitate the handling of descriptive formulas automatically. It should be noted that the original version of the Classification was adopted in 1948. Most countries have applied this Classification as their national classification to become an important tool for comparing statistical data on economic activities at the international level. The first version (ISIC_1) of the International Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Activities was issued in 1958, the second version (ISIC_2) was issued in 1968 and the third version (ISIC_3) was issued in 1990. Finally, in 2006, the United Nations Economic and Social Council adopted the Fourth Amendment to the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC4). The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) uses the Classification in all its economic and social products, and follows up the updates on the classification and recently it has been authorized to enable the government entities to apply it as an approved Classification for Economic Activities in the Kingdom.

GaStat president Dr. Fahad bin Sulaiman Altekhaifi word in the third anniversary of the custodian of the two holly mosques accession to the throne, 3rd of Rabee the second 1439H When the king is present, there will be national prestige and achievements process “King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud” is a distinct sentence in the book of abode. His period of rule will be eternalized forever. This period represents a growth journey that will never stop. Three years of king Salman’s rule, a vision was drawn for the future. However, his policy of toughness gave the country a dignity with more wisdom and farsightedness, while determination helped in increasing the country’s achievements.  In the third anniversary of the custodian of the two holly mosques king Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s accession to the throne, the country’s agenda became full of achievements. Since king Salman’s period of rule has started, each day represents a whole year during which a future is drawn through establishing security, accomplishments, development, justice, honor, prestige and wisdom. These features led the country to be the most effective geographical area in the world map. They also gave it a historical metalepsis with many events in a non-stop epoch. In the third anniversary of the king’s accession to throne, praise be to Allah for having such government which governs the country with Quran and Sunnah. Thanks God for belonging to such country that has a dominance in many levels because of its leading role towards security, peace, and stability. The kingdom wise attitudes toward the international and regional issues are still contributing in addressing many political, economic, social, and security affairs.  In the third anniversary of the king’s accession to throne, each citizen should be proud of being engaged in everything. This engagement story has started earlier since the periods of rule of king Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud and his sons (Saud, Faisal, Khalid, Fahad, and Abdullah) may all of them rest in peace. Presently, the story continues in the period of king Salman’s rule and hopefully will never stop.  In the third anniversary of the king’s accession to throne, every developmental sector has the right to announce its outstanding developments and achievements which could not be accomplished without the government support and efforts. This support aims at making the development a result of each project, a desire for all efforts, and an integration between all sectors in order to reach a brighter future, as the language of figures and statistics in all sectors is the language of facts and achievements.  In the third anniversary of the king’s accession to throne, our boarders become unattackable and our security is guaranteed, that is because of the top priority given to citizens’ security by our leadership.  Our courage champions are working hard on our security sacrificing their own lives. In addition, our armies are always there when their brothers and neighbors need them. These all show how the sons of “Salman” are united to keep the country boarders secured and prevent intimidation.  In the third anniversary of the king’s accession to throne, we are proud of serving the two holly mosques. Under his leadership- may God support him-, all countries of the world are impressed of the services provided by Saudi citizens when receiving and serving the guests of Allah, as all public and private entities are working hard to have the honor of serving pilgrims, Omrah performers, and visitors. A clear evidence for that is the services and projects that were provided in the last three seasons of Hajj.  In the third anniversary of the king’s accession to throne, we are all witnessing the new steps followed to build a modern country with young spirits. Since king Salman’s period of rule has started, the young spirit has appeared in all executive and administrative entities and sectors. That is to show how the country is young and capable of reform and develop, so that all individuals can live prosperous lives under the umbrella of security and development.   In the third anniversary of the king’s accession to throne, we ( here in the General Authority for Statistics) are renewing the commitment intending to achieve the country’s expectations and objectives while keeping on supporting the development, as what the statistical sector in Saudi Arabia is witnessing nowadays is considered a transformation not only locally but also regionally and internationally. We will work hard to make the country in a very high position anywhere and everywhere.  In the third anniversary of the king’s accession to throne, we congratulate the custodian of the two holly mosques king Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his crown prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz (May God protect them all), with all our prayers to always keep this country secured, safe, and stable, and to protect our country and leaders. May the custodian of the two holly mosques live longer and May Allah reward him well.

Congratulating The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his Crown Prince, On the occasion of announcing the largest expenditure budget in the history of Saudi Arabia. Dr. Fahad Altekhaifi: Growth budget, development and transparency trends, and emphasis on the accuracy of the objectives On his behalf and on behalf of all members of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) and all the statistical sectors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr.Fahad Bin Sulaiman Altekhaifi congratulates The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz AL-Saud and his Crown Prince HRH Prince Mohmmad Bin Salman ALSaud, On the occasion of announcing the budget for the fiscal year 1439/1440 H as the largest expenditure budget in the history of Saudi Arabia. This achievement was a result of the directives of the wise leadership of this country to reduce the budget deficit for the current fiscal year by more than (25%) compared to the previous fiscal year despite the high expenditure. Dr. Altekhaifi stressed that the contents of the speech of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in the budget declaration came to confirm the continuation of the development and improvement towards achieving the vision of the Kingdom (2030) to increase the size of the national economy and keep its growth. As well as, the continuation to diversify the economic base and income sources to enhance the ability to adapt to the developments and overcome the challenges and to ensure that the private sector can play a greater role in the development. Moreover, The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, in the budget declaration, stressed on the need to ensure that the burden on citizens will be minimized, he also stressed on dealing with the potential effects as well as supporting the private sector, identifying the objectives to reduce the budget deficit for next year to be less than (8%) of GDP despite the large and expanding budget and the continuation to reduce the dependence on oil. He also emphasized on the continuation to fight corruption and maintain the public money to pursue a bright future for the country. In addition, Dr. Altekhaifi added that this speech confirms the keenness of the wise leadership to ensure that prosperity will prevail in all regions of the Kingdom and that was confirmed by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques also that this budget will continue to be disbursed to various development sectors in all regions of the Kingdom at high rates. The Custodian of the two Holy Mosques concluded his speech ensuring that he had kept in mind that he would continue to work towards comprehensive and balanced development to all regions of the Kingdom and that there is no difference between these regions. The president of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) stressed that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' directive to all officials to raise the level of performance, develop government services, enhance the efficiency of expenditure and transparency to meet the aspirations and obtain the satisfaction of citizens for the services provided to them is a road map to be used by all government entities and in all areas of development. On the other hand, Dr. Fahad bin Sulaiman Altekhaifi said that all the important changes in the structure and mechanisms of the Saudi budget are considered strong cornerstones for the future on the intermediate and long terms. The budget included anticipations about the economy performance on the intermediate term “five years” which assured how clear and accurate are the objectives that the country works on to achieve a financial balance in 2023.  The announcement of these anticipations will be a fundamental base in managing the economic growth in all developmental fields. It will also enhance the transparency and disclosure values, which are values adopted by Saudi Arabia as strategic values in achieving the financial balance program as they comply with the announced objectives of the 2030 Saudi vision. Moreover, the announcement of the developmental funds and the investment fund collaborations in the capital and investment expenditure which exceeded the budget capital expenditure in the past years, in addition to the continuity and increase of the capital expenditure will have a strong impact on the economic development. Altekhaifi indicated that the 2018 budget statement is a result of the new political and economic policies which rely on strong bases both economically and administratively. It also asserts that we are going through the right path toward the future which started to be obvious through the wise economic management that the economic and development affairs council represents. The economic reforms that started with the announcement of the ambitious vision pushed the country towards a change through implementing a financial and economic policies system to improve the efficiency of the government expenditure, and found new non-oil income sources to create a kind of financial balance as a strategic objective on the intermediate term. This will be reflected on the economy of the country and will improve the citizen’s living standard.  GASTAT president added that the announced investments will affect the development positively, as it will enhance the economic growth, collaborate in improving the main services provided to citizens, and motivate the private sector which gets an unlimited support as it is considered a fundamental partner and a main axis in the development process. Furthermore, the high-yield investments that affect development in general and human resources in particular will contribute in increasing the Saudi citizen living standards.  He also mentioned that the budget with all its components will guarantee achieving an effective contribution to improve the efficiency of the government expenditure on one hand, and the quality, accuracy, and transparency of the financial accounts on the other hand. However, moving from cash basis accounting to accrual basis accounting will collaborate in increasing the financial efficiency which will be reflected on the projects outputs that the citizen get benefited from. GASTAT president concluded with prayers to this country “May God keep this country secured and prosperous”

On Tuesday the 3rd of Rabe’a first 1439H corresponding 21st of November 2017, the general authority for statistics (GaStat) has issued the cost of living index’ monthly report for the month of October. The report has been published on the official website of the authority www.stats.gov.sa ,  as the cost of living index has registered a decline by 0.2% in October 2107 compared to last month (September 2017).  The monthly report which was issued by GaStat clarified that the cost of living index in Saudi Arabia has recorded (137.5) in October 2017 which is a decline by 0.2% compared to September 2017 during which it recorded (137.8).       The report attributed this monthly decline of the indicator to the declines of the six main sections that compose the cost of living index which are: transportation section by (1.0%), House Furnishing, equipment, and maintenance section by (0.4%), food and beverages section by (0.3%), restaurants and hotels section by (0.2%), clothes and shoes section by (0.1%), and the sections of housing, water, electricity, gas, and the other kinds of fuel by (0.1%).       On the other hand, three main sections of the indicator have registered an increase which are: health section by (0.4%), culture and leisure section by (0.3%), and telecommunication section by (0.2%).       However, the sections of tobacco, education, commodity and services have not registered any worth mentioning change.

As the First Country in the Middle East.. with the Aim of Working to Improve the Statistics of Tourism  The General Authority for Statistics (GaStat): The Kingdom is enhancing its statistical position at an international level with the membership of the international expert group The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia enhanced its statistical position at an international level after the joining of GaStat and the Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage to the membership of the international expert group that is concerned with the Tourism Satellite Account of 2017, to be the first country in the Middle East that has been nominated to accomplish the Tourism Satellite Account according to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) standards. UNWTO has also nominated the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to execute the capacity building program. This initiative ensures an effective execution for information systems and tourism in all countries in the Middle East. Therefore, the Kingdom will represent these countries in managing the project, it is also considered as a mediator to transfer the knowledge and the experience of the organization to the Middle East countries. Moreover, the international experts group will work on preparing a guide to standardize and enhance the statistics of tourism and strengthen the support for the statistics within the United Nation system.  Additionally, the statistics committee and the Tourism Satellite Account will handle the coordination with international authorities and institutions to lead the statistics, set its standards within the United Nation system and support the member countries to enhance their national regulations for the tourism statistics and Tourism Satellite Account.  The president of GaStat Dr.Fahad Bin Sulaiman ALTekhaifi assured that the authority will work in partnership with the Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage to maximize the benefit from this membership at all levels. He added that choosing two entities from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for membership of the international experts group, which is considered with the Tourism Satellite Account 2017, is an extension of the Kingdom's role in improving all the statistical fields and it shows what the statistical sector finds from the wise leadership (May God support them) for its unlimited support. In addition, it is also a result of  joint efforts and integration between GaStat and the Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage in the field of tourism statistics. It is noteworthy to mention that the two authorities (Statistics and Tourism) have signed a memorandum of understanding in the field of information, statistics and the regulations of the governmental decision support. The signing was under the sponsorship of HRH the governor of Riyadh city, prince Faisal Bin Bandar Bin Abdulaziz AL-Saud, last March of this year within the events of the tourism investment and travel forum in Riyadh city.

Within the joint committee meetings events on the occasion of completing 55 years in the capital city Seoul  Saudi Arabia and South Korea Signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the Field of Statistics    Saudi Arabia and South Korea signed on Friday 7th of Safar 1439 H (27th of October 2017) in Seoul the capital city of South Korea a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cooperate in the field of statistics. It aims to establish a cooperation between the two countries in the field of statistics by exchanging administrative and technical experiences that are related to the work of official statistical entities. Moreover, the signing ceremony was held within the “Saudi-Korean” joint committee meetings events on the 26 and 27 of this October. These events were held in the capital city of Korea on the occasion of completing 55 years of relationship between The Kingdom and Korea. The memorandum was signed by his excellency the president of GaStat Dr.Fahad Bin Sulaiman AL-Tukhaifi from the Saudi side and by the official commissioner of the Korean statistics Mrs. Hwang Soo Kyeong from the Korean side. A number of the two countries officials have attended the ceremony. In addition, his excellency the president of GaStat Dr.Fahad Bin Sulaiman AL-Tukhaifi expressed in his speech for this occasion his thanks to the Korean side for the warm reception and gracious hospitality that the Saudi delegation had. He also assured on the deep cooperative relationship between the two countries since 55 years ago until now in a noticeable improvement. He said" we are here today and more than half century of relationship between our countries have passed where the relations have improved remarkably in different fields, in which the economic interests have gathered the experts of the two countries on the tables of the commercial cooperation. Additionally, the special political relationships between the two countries have attributed in the advancement towards cooperation fields that are more distinguished. Since the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Korea have agreed on establishing diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level on 16th of October 1962 until this day, the two countries are keeping a strong cooperative relationship as partners and they represent a special model for the West-East convergence”. Dr.AL-Tukhifi added that signing the statistical memorandum between the two countries came along with the new Saudi Vision 2030 where it opens wider horizons for cooperation. The statistical partnership is a qualitative partnership to transfer successful experiences and effective cooperation in the fields of statistical data and information which is considered the strongest cornerstone towards future. It is noteworthy to mention that the statistical memorandum between Saudi Arabia and south Korea includes points for cooperative work in developing technical mechanisms necessary for collecting and publishing statistics according to international standards, determining the fundamentals of statistical databases in different statistical fields, exchanging experiences concerning the necessary requirements for establishing an information central system that is linked automatically with all public entities [and their activation mechanisms], developing statistical work in governmental entities in addition to developing government statistical plans, policies, and mechanisms, exchanging statistical awareness programs and organizing joint seminars and workshops which discuss cooperation issues.

Department of Statistics (formerly the General Authority for Statistics currently) members of the Committee of Economy and Energy Shura Council presented its strategic plan in the transition to an independent body, it came after a discussion of the Council's annual report to the Department of Statistics in the past general. Put some members of the Saudi Shura Council at their session yesterday, a number of views on the Department of Statistics report in the past year, comes at a time when the Department of Statistics turned into a public body for the census, a decision of the Council of Ministers about five weeks ago. In this regard, an informed source revealed «Middle East» yesterday that the General Administration of Statistics in Saudi Arabia will achieve its objectives through the provision of statistics and data and information and high-quality indicators, as all categories of beneficiaries of government agencies and enterprises and private individuals to various statistical areas (demographic, social, economic and environmental and cultural), so take advantage of them in the planning of development work. He said the same source, that the members of the Committee of Economy and Energy Shura Council, briefed on the strategic plan for the benefit of former public statistics, which will be applied in the transition to an independent body, where this plan is based on two major dimensions, namely: the beneficiary of the government agencies, private facilities, and members of service , in addition to high quality. The source said: «These two dimensions that contained five axes of development is the strategy based on the beneficiaries service, and statistical products and services of surveys and research, and methodology of statistical work and procedures, and the development of technical infrastructure for the development of statistical work, and the culture of the organization and capacity building, and restructuring and governance work». He pointed to the same source, to ensure that all the focus of a lot of projects and initiatives in accordance with the time schedule of expected Ontsem in a qualitative leap for statistical work in Saudi Arabia. , The Commission asked for the economy and energy Shura Council, during yesterday's session, the Department of Statistics to expedite the transition to Algiomkana Statistical System, to complete the basic structure of the Standard Rules Spatial Information National, and requiring all government agencies to provide information and data for the project automated link system information, on the bases technical and schedule required by the project. It also demanded the development of budgets for projects, statistical surveys and the transition to Algiomkana statistical system, in order to provide sufficient flexibility to spend it to be completed in the time required. During the session, Mohammed al-Mutairi student, information about the project to shift Algiomkana Statistical System, and hoped to provide this information to evaluate the project and support the necessary recommendations. He called Dr. Saeed Sheikh Department of Statistics to develop its website, providing information on the raw data, researchers can use the form and interested. While Dr. Mohammed Al Naji said during his speech that the Department of Statistics is still using an older scientific techniques, while Dr. Mansour Alkredes stressed the importance of a survey of the workforce in Saudi Arabia every three months, adding that the workforce have statistics of special importance require monitored on a quarterly Yearly dynamic response to changing realities. He suggested Dr. Abdullah Al-Harbi, establishment of a national data bank and information, and cooperation with the statistics departments at universities to build partnerships and specialized rehabilitation of the cadres of interest, and to cooperate with the Shura Council to find a center for public opinion polls and trends. Saudi Shura Council session saw yesterday, to approve the proposal to add two paragraphs fourth and fifth articles of the health system, introduced from Dr. Mona Al-Mushayt and decided Shura Council approval of some «model contract public construction» prepared in light of those amendments and recycled to the Shura Council for consideration in accordance with amendments introduced by the Government on a number of competitions and the government procurement system and project materials to article 17 of the system board. These developments come after an extraordinary economic steps, which decided the Saudi Council of Ministers about five weeks ago, converting Department of Statistics to the general body of the census, and in this regard, said the engineer will be launched after ninety days from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette », pointing out that the decision inception keen Adel Faqih, Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning said that «introduction of the new organization of the General Authority for Statistics wise leadership to support statistical track, and translates what looks to him and rulers of the quest towards the further development of service facilities, especially what has to do with the affairs of statistics, data and information, and that to cope with change and successive development in all economic fields, especially after the establishment of the Council of Economic Affairs and Development. He noted architect jurist as given to the Department of Statistics and Information before converted to body care cream and high-Care of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and the Crown Prince and Crown Crown, to play its role in the provision of statistical data which contribute to strengthening the country's economy and development in various fields. The Minister of Economy and Planning, Saudi Arabia, that the issuance of this decision was an extension of a lot of decisions, orders and directives of the High precious to support and enhance many of the sectors of government turning to independent bodies proved right those decisions and effectiveness in view of the data that touched and experienced Staff of those sectors and the beneficiaries of its services. He Engineer Faqih hoped to be in the issuance of this wise decision motivation and incentive to tender wealthy achieve what the new body to aspire in their plans and programs and keep pace with the size of the aspirations of the beneficiaries of their services, adding that «this organization, which consists of 28 articles provision in Article II that arise General body called the General Authority for Statistics and enjoy public legal personality and financial and administrative independence, and organizationally linked with the Minister of Economy and Planning ». And that the new regulation provides for the formation of the Governing Council of the Commission headed by the Minister of Economy and Planning, and the membership of the Chairman of the Authority, and a number of members who represent some of the relevant government agencies and a representative of the Council of Saudi Chambers, and two representatives of specialists work of the Commission. According to Faqih that the purpose of the establishment of the Authority is to organize and activate the statistical work in Saudi Arabia, through the preparation of a comprehensive, accurate and unified national statistical system and follow up on its implementation, and the development of plans and programs necessary to meet the statistical needs, service development plans, scientific research and various activities. The Minister of Economy and Planning of Saudi that the new organization stressed that «the General Administration of Statistics» responsible for statistics in Saudi Arabia, is the only official statistical reference for the implementation of statistical work system and technical supervisor and regulator to him, a jurisdiction that conducts surveys, as it is the research and studies and dissemination of the results of the different areas statistical, and it is in relation to the conditions of the community and its activities. Engineer jurist considered that the Council of Ministers to ensure that the decision of the Board of Directors shall review the general statistics of the state system, and suggest what would need to be in, and submit it according to regular procedures

GaStat: Real Estate Index Decreased by (6.3%) compared to the previous year and stabilized compared to Second Quarter On Tuesday Safar 4th, 1439 (October 24th,2017), GaStat issued its quarterly indicator of the real estate price general index in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the third quarter (2017) and published it through its official website www.stats.gov.sa . This indicator is based on available registry data of the Ministry of Justice regarding real estate transactions. This indicator is an essential tool that supports entities which make economic and statistical decisions regarding the real estate price movements and future forecasts during different periods of time. The indicator includes three main sectors consisting of many real estate types: residential sector (piece of land, building, villa, apartment, and house), commercial sector (piece of land, building, shop, gallery and commercial centre), and agricultural sector which only includes agricultural land. The index of real estate prices for the third quarter 2017 recorded a relative stability compared to the previous quarter (second quarter 2017), reaching (84.9) in the third quarter 2017. The report attributed the stability of the real estate price index for the third quarter of 2017 to the varying percentage of change in the main sectors composing the indicator. The commercial sector witnessed a decline by (1.0%), the residential sector witnesses an increase by (0.2%), while the agricultural sector was stable without any relative change. The indicator recorded a decline of (6.3%) compared to the same quarter of the previous year (third quarter 2017). The report attributed this decline to the decline in the main sectors composing the indicator: the residential sector (7.9%), the commercial sector (10.9%) and the agricultural sector (1.0%).

Labor Market Bulletin Includes 67 Statistical indicators GaStat: The Saudi unemployment rate is 12.8% in the 2nd Quarter (2017)  The General authority for Statistics (GaStat) published the Labor Market Bulletin for the second quarter of 2017 on Sunday Muharram 11th,1439H (Corresponding to October 1st,2017) which provides comprehensive data and indicators on the labor market in the Kingdom from April 1st to June 30th, 2017 (Corresponding to Rajab 15th to Shawwal 6th, 1438H) to support decision and policy makers regarding labor force. It also contributes in building a database on the labor market in the Kingdom that can be used to prepare and plan future social and economic development programs. The quarterly bulletin includes 67 statistical indicators which contain data and indicators from the Labor Force Survey estimates and labor market data from the administrative records of the relevant entities (Ministry of Labor and Social Development, Ministry of Civil Service, General Organization for Social Insurance(GOSI), Human Resources Development Fund and National Information Center) applying international standards in this area. The results of the bulletin for the second quarter of 2017 indicated that the total number of employees from the data of administrative records in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reached (13,841,158) individuals compared to (13,889,137) for the first quarter of 2017.   According to the results of the bulletin also from the data of administrative records in the government agencies for the second quarter of 2017, the total number of Saudis seeking work reached (1,075,933) individuals, (216,352) of them are males and (859,581) are females. The results also showed that the highest percentage of Saudis seeking employment was among the age group (25-29), which is (34.2%). Also according to the results of the administrative records data, nearly half of the Saudi job seekers hold university degrees reaching (50.5%). The results of the bulletin showed that the unemployment rate in Saudi Arabia for the Saudi population (15 years and over) from the Labor Force Survey estimates for the second quarter 2017 reached (12.8%), (7.4%) are males and (33.1%) are females. And the unemployment rate in the Kingdom for the total population (15 years and over) is (6.0%), (3.3%) are males and (22.9%) are females. The results also showed that (11.6%) of the unemployed Saudis had previously worked, and (32.9%) of unemployed Saudis who had previously worked left their jobs due to dismissal from the employer. The survey results also showed that (9.6%) of unemployed Saudis have already been trained. Regarding the economic activity rate of total population (15 years and over) it reached (54.2%), divided between males (78.2%) and females (18.7%). In its bulletin, GaStat also explained that the economic activity rate for total Saudi population (15 years and over) reached (40.3%). The bulletin included a large number of detailed data on workers according to the regulations they are subject to, nationality, sex, age, administrative region and educational level, as well as data for job seekers, average monthly wages, working hours and domestic workers. For more details, you can view the bulletin through Gastat’s official website: www.stats.gov.sa

UN International Comparison Program board of directors holds second meeting Dr. Altekhaifi: KSA's distinctive work at statistics leads to council membership and participation in recurring meetings Saudi Arabia has participated at the second meeting of the board of directors of the International Comparison Program (ICP), which was held at Washington D.C. early this week.  His Excellency, president of the General Authority for Statistics, Dr. Fahad bin Sulaiman Altekhaifi, confirmed that the program’s work and results will help shape policies for global comparison to support statistical products of the participating countries. It will also enable the General Authority for Statistics to access the best global practices for statistics for the purpose of improving and developing the statistical work. Also, it will raise the quality of the data, which will reflect positively on the decisions for development that rely mainly on statistics. On the other hand, his excellency Dr. Altekhaifi pointed out that the board of directors, which has 11 countries including Saudi Arabia, which represents west Asia, has looked into the progress made when implementing the 2017 cycle in the participating areas. The council also specified a list of research topics including, implementing a rolling survey approach and building Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) time series, integrating ICP and Consumer Price Index (CPI) activities, Streamlining the process of establishing product lists and the use of importance indicators, improving the availability and quality of input data for rents, government services, and construction, streamline the use of productivity adjustments for government services, fine tuning global linking procedures, quality assurance of resulting PPPs and measures of reliability and other topics related to statistical work. Dr. Altekhaifi added that the ICP selecting of Saudi Arabia for the membership at the 2017-2019 cycle came as a result of the positive role of the General Authority for Statistics in different statistical programs organized by the UN. It also confirmed the kingdom’s effective role on the global map of statistics. Moreover, it reflects the results of the strategic transformation of the kingdom’s Statistic sector, which the leadership cares for and supports due to its role in aiding the national development decisions.  The ICP, which is under the supervision of the World Bank, is a partnership program for statistics on a global level. It is based on a statistical system that is connected with economic analysis. It uses statistical methods to derive the necessary data to calculate the PPP for about 200 countries and economies worldwide. It will facilitate the use of PPP as currency converters. That will allow for the comparison of the total economic indicators and the economic situations of countries worldwide. It is noteworthy to mention that the ICP board of directors is compiled of executives, chairpersons, and leading experts in 11 statistical devices participating in the program. They are distributed according to the regional areas: Africa, Asia, Pacific Islands, Latin America, the Caribbean, West Asia, Commonwealth of Independence States, European Union, non-European Union States, members of the organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, representatives of the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, UN Statistics Division, and the Inter-Agency Coordination Group.

GaStat Enumerates Pilgrims Every Year Saudi Arabia has been honored to serve nearly 24 million pilgrims in 10 years According to the official statistics of the General Authority for Statistics (GaStat), the total number of pilgrims that Saudi Arabia has been honored to serve during the last ten years has reached 23,935,354 pilgrims. The last Hajj season (1437H) recorded the lowest number of pilgrims during the last ten years as it reached 1,862,909 pilgrims. While the year (1433H) recorded the highest number of pilgrims during the last ten years as it reached 3,161,573 pilgrims. The official spokesman of Gastat, Mr.Taiseer Almofarrej, explained that the task of pilgrims enumeration every years is one of the tasks that Gastat has the honor of. It started since 1390H since Gastat was called (the Central Department of statistics), in order to provide accurate information that helps all state agencies in planning and development of everything related to serving Hajj visitors. This mission continued during all these years to witness developments and enhancements in the enumeration techniques every year to be more accurate and comprehensive. Mr. Almofarrej added that the Hajj statistics program aims at the completion of all future planning programs to ensure providing the necessary services needed by the guest of Makkah, whether social, health, security, food, or transportation services. This is done through using a time series of accurate data about the number of pilgrims, in addition to the estimation of labor forces needed for providing the necessary services for pilgrims during Hajj season every year. The data and number of pilgrims is also used by relevant systems who studies the preparations and main facilities in Makkah city and holy places, and take it into consideration when preparing the necessary plans. In addition, accurate data and information about Hajj statistics is provided to researchers, students, and individuals who are interested in this field. The data is also used in the evaluation of activities and events made by relevant entities who serve pilgrims, in addition to identify the method of arrival of domestic and international pilgrims. The official spokesman stressed that GaStat will be announcing the number of pilgrims periodically starting from the 1st of Dhu al-Hijjah. GaStat will also announce the final and official number of pilgrims on the evening of the ninth day of Dhu al-Hijjah through the Hajj statistics bulletin. The Bulletin will include detailed results about: number of domestic pilgrims, international pilgrims, pilgrims by gender, pilgrims by nationality, pilgrims by arrival destination, number of cars carrying pilgrims by type, and other detailed data. It is worth mentioning that the number of pilgrims in the last ten years exceeded 3 Million pilgrims in one time, and it exceeded 6 Million pilgrims 6 times. The number was lower than 2 Million in 3 Hajj seasons, and last year was the lowest according to the following table:

In cooperation with the Communication and Information Technology Commission and the General Sport Authority GaStat starts to visit more than 57,000 households next Thursday The General Authority of Statistics (GaStat) will start next Thursday, 19 Shawwal 1438H (13 June 2017), to visit more than 57,000 households in all regions of the Kingdom in coopereation with the Communication and Information Technology Commission and the General Sport Authority to conduct 3 household surveys: the survey of ICT’s access and use for households and individuals, sports survey for households, and the labour force survey for the third quarter. GaStat calls upon all citizens and residents to cooperate with the statisticians working in the field in 13 regions of the Kingdom including their cities and provinces. The work of than 450 field researcher will continue until 25 Dhu al-Qa’dah 1438 H (17 august 2017). GaStat official spokesman, Mr. Taiseer Almofarrej, explained that the household sport survey is one of the requirements of the Saudi Vision 2030 in cooperation with the General Sport Authority. It aims to provide recent indicators about the extent of playing sports for households. Through its results, stakeholders will learn about the reasons for playing sports or not and they will get updated statistics about the relationship of households with sports. It will also provide a comprehensive picture on the size of community participation in sports and physical activity. In addition, it will provide data on the ratio of sports practitioners within the household who practice sports on a regular basis, at least once a week. It also provides data on the percentage of sports practitioners in public facilities, clubs or sports centres, and the number of times a person is engaged in sports during the week, and the reasons why a person may not exercise. Mr. Almofarrej added that this survey coincides with the Labour Force Survey for the third quarter of this year which aims to provide detailed data about national labour force, measure the rates of employment and unemployment, provide data on employed and unemployed individuals, identifying the average monthly wages of the workers, provide data on the average weekly actual working hours by occupation, and economic activity of workers, and data on formal and informal workers. The results will be published in the Labour Market Bulletin, which was recently launched by GaStat. Regarding the survey of ICT’s access and use for individuals and households, GaStat’s official spokesman said that in cooperation with the Communication and Information Technology Commission aims at providing updated data and indicators on the extent of household and individual’s access to information and communication technologies. It includes: the availability of communication and information technology devices, the extent of using mail services by households and household access to ICTs. The survey will also provide individual data including: the extent to which information technologies are used for individuals, age groups, educational and occupational status, difficulties, places of use and reasons for not using ICTs. On the other hand, Mr. Taiseer Almofarrej confirmed that the GaStat has been keen to involve all relevant parties from data producers and users in developing its statistical products from creation to publishing through integrated partnership. A training program was recently held for the supervisors of these surveys, in which the Communications and Information Technology Commission and the General Sport Authority has participated. GaStat has confirmed that all information will be treated as an information basis which is reliable and can be used by development decision-makers in all relevant government entities that will serve the interest of citizens and residents. Gastat also has mentioned that al statistical researchers carry official badges and they are officially authorized to collect data to be kept confidential in accordance with the general statistics system issued by the Council of Ministers. GaStat also made available on its official website www.stats.gov.sa the opportunity for students and interested individuals to view field search forms on which the data will be collected. All households and establishments may inquire through the toll free number 8001240440 about this work or other coming work.