News

President of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), Fahad Aldossari, met today with Chairman of Najran Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Bader Hamod Almojel, to discuss potential cooperation between the two parties in exchange of statistical data and information. The meeting took place during a visit by a GASTAT delegation to the region.
The discussion focused on the importance of collaboration in their respective fields, leveraging accurate statistical indicators to support development plans, and improving the efficiency of commercial and industrial projects in the region, in line with the goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
This meeting reflects GASTAT’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its strategic partnerships with entities and institutions across all sectors, utilizing its statistical outputs to support national initiatives and objectives and advance development across various regions of Saudi Arabia.
 

H.E. the Minister of Economy and Planning and Chairman of the Board of Directors of GASTAT, Faisal F. Alibrahim, inaugurated a virtual workshop titled “Statistical Practices: Saudi statistical data… a pivotal role in supporting national development”. The workshop is organized by GASTAT as part of Road to Riyadh events in preparation for Saudi Arabia’s preparations hosting of the 6th UNWDF in November 2026.
In his opening speech, H.E. emphasized that this workshop represents an important step in strengthening the role of statistical data as a fundamental basis for national policy-making, formulating development plans, and measuring their impact. He highlighted that the integration of government efforts in developing a national statistical ecosystem that serves decision-makers, enhances transparency, and improves government performance. H.E. also stressed the importance of statistical data in monitoring Saudi Arabia’s progress toward achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and SDGs, affirming that statistics have become a strategic enabler to support flexible decision-making that keeps pace with global economic and social changes.
During the workshop, the President of GASTAT, Fahad Aldossari, delivered a detailed presentation on GASTAT’s transformation journey over the past years. He reviewed the pre-transformation phase, during which GASTAT provided around 50 statistical products, and highlighted the post-transformation phase, which marked a major leap in the statistical product system, now exceeding 80 products. Furthermore, he discussed the development of existing products, the implementation of modern methodologies aligned with international standards, and the increased frequency, level of detail, and statistical coverage of publications.
He also emphasized that the Council of Ministers approval of the Statistical Law represented a pivotal milestone in the development of the statistical ecosystem, enhancing the governance of statistical work and organizing roles and responsibilities in line with international best practices. He highlighted GASTAT’s key roles in collecting comprehensive data and information from various sources, producing and developing official statistics, publishing them, and providing them to government entities, private establishments, individuals, and international organizations.
Furthermore, he highlighted key statistical products issued by GASTAT, including GDP, industrial production index, international trade statistics, household income and expenditure survey, housing statistics, labor market statistics, and transportation and renewable energy statistics, emphasizing the role of these products in supporting decision-makers with accurate and reliable indicators.
In addition, he highlighted GASTAT’s efforts to facilitate access to statistical data, increase compliance with statistical publication to 94% and raise the number of website users to 8.5 million in 2025. He also noted the development of the website and the launch of the Microdata Lab as an advanced electronic service designed to meet clients’ requests using the best and fastest technological means.
Moreover, he highlighted Saudi Arabia’s success in securing the hosting of the 6th UNWDF 2026 in Riyadh. He noted Saudi Arabia’s membership in the High-level Group for Partnership, Coordination and Capacity-Building for statistics (HLG-PCCG) and its co-chairing of the Data Governance Working Group. Also, he emphasized GASTAT’s efforts to strengthen community and scientific partnerships through the Saudi Statistical Forum, the Universities and Statistical Associations Forum, and the launch of Saudi Arabia’s first specialized statistics Innovation Lab.
Additionally, he emphasized the progress achieved in institutional performance, noting that the Digital Transformation Measurement Index rose to 86% in 2025. He also highlighted programs for developing future leaders and Saudi statisticians, the transition to accrual-based accounting, the achievement of the Expenditure Efficiency Index, and advancement in the assessment of performance management practices from the transitional stage to the advanced stage.
Moreover, he addressed future focus areas, which include the growth and expansion of statistics, enhancing the use of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, leveraging new data sources, supporting statistical innovation, raising awareness, and building statistical capacity through training programs and the provision of statistical certifications for users, students, and professionals. These efforts aim to strengthen statistical literacy and increase the utilization of national data.
It is noteworthy that this workshop is part of a series of ongoing efforts by GASTAT within Road to Riyadh events, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s readiness to host the 6th UNWDF in 2026 and reinforcing its leading role in the development of statistical work at both regional and international levels.
 

GASTAT’s President met today at the Municipality headquarters with the Mayor of Najran Municipality, Eng. Saleh Alghamdi to discuss potential areas of collaboration, particularly in the exchange of data and statistical information that support planning and urban development in the region.

During the meeting, both parties discussed the importance of integration within their respective areas of expertise and the effective use of accurate statistical indicators to enhance the efficiency of projects and services, in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

It is worth noting that this meeting comes as part of GASTAT’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its strategic partnerships with government entities and institutions across all sectors, leveraging its statistical products to support national initiatives and targets and to advance development priorities across the various regions of the Kingdom.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) and Najran University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening institutional collaboration and integrating efforts in statistics, research, and statistical studies. The MoU was signed during a visit by a GASTAT delegation to Najran Region, where the delegation also met with H.R.H. the Governor of Najran Region and several officials from relevant entities.
The MoU was signed by GASTAT President, Fahad Aldossari, and Najran University President ‏Prof. Abdulrahman Alkhedhairi‏. It seeks to enhance cooperation between the two parties through the exchange of expertise and knowledge transfer, the establishment of a general framework for joint activities and tasks, and the development of institutional capabilities, in support of shared goals and interests.
The cooperation covers the exchange of technical and knowledge-based expertise in areas of mutual interest, joint research, studies, and publications, and enabling staff from both sides to participate in professional development programs, seminars, scientific conferences, and workshops. It also includes support for innovation, the development of joint initiatives, and the application of best practices in research and statistical studies. In addition, the MoU provides cooperative training opportunities for Najran University graduates in line with GASTAT policies, as well as collaboration in raising awareness of statistical work and data analysis.
This MoU reflects GASTAT’s ongoing efforts to expand its partnerships with public and private sector entities, contributing to the advancement of statistical work and the achievement of national objectives.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) is participating alongside the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in celebrating Gulf Statistics Day, held annually on 24 December. This year’s celebration comes under the theme “Unified Data for Shared Vision”, reflecting the commitment of GCC statistical ecosystems to advancing statistical work and enhancing its role in supporting comprehensive development plans and achieving the objectives of national visions across the Council’s member states.
This year’s celebration continues the GCC countries’ efforts to build advanced statistical data ecosystems that provide accurate and harmonized statistics, enhancing the effectiveness of public policies, and supporting decision-making to meet sustainable development objectives. Gulf Statistics Day serves as an annual occasion to highlight the importance of the statistical sector and its pivotal role in shaping the developmental future of the GCC countries, as well as to raise public awareness of the value of statistical data as a key element in development, growth, and progress.
In this context, the President of GASTAT, Fahad Aldossari, emphasized that Gulf Statistics Day underscores the GCC countries’ commitment to enhancing statistical integration. He noted that harmonizing statistical data and unifying production methodologies constitute a fundamental pillar for achieving a shared vision based on a strong economy and sustainable development, in partnership with GCC statistical ecosystems, alongside the development of national transformation plans and modern methodologies for data production.
It is noteworthy that during its 141st session, held in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, on November 24, 2016, the GCC Ministerial Council approved the designation of an annual Gulf Statistics Day. The initiative aims to strengthen community partnerships with statistical authorities, highlight the vital role of statistics in supporting sustainable development, and underscore the strategic role of the Gulf data system in shaping policies and guiding developmental decision-making across the region.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released the results of the Construction Cost Index (CCI) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for November 2025. According to the publication, CCI recorded an increase of 1.0% compared to the same month of the previous year, driven by a rise of 1.0% in construction costs for the residential sector and an increase of 1.0% for the non-residential sector.
Meanwhile, CCI survey results showed that prices remained stable in November 2025 compared to October 2025.
It is noteworthy that the CCI results publication is part of the ongoing efforts by GASTAT to develop statistical products for vital sectors, provide a reliable and effective reference, and offer accurate estimates to support the decision-making of contractors, real estate developers, and relevant authorities. This also contributes to outlining a clear roadmap for residential and non-residential construction projects in the building and construction sector.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), achieved a new milestone by continuing its advancement in the Statistical Performance Indicator (SPI) issued by the World Bank since the data update 2020. Saudi Arabia’s score rose to 83.3% in 2024, compared with 81.5% in 2023, maintaining its 1st place ranking in the Arab region and advancing three positions among G20 countries, moving up 11th place from the 14th place ranking as published last year. Saudi Arabia further advanced four global places, ranking 51st place out of 188 countries. This accomplishment stems from the Kingdom’s ongoing statistical development, its adoption of a digital transformation approach within the national statistical ecosystem, and its efforts in capacity-building, promoting innovation, strengthening transparency, and facilitating the monitoring of progress toward SDGs.
The World Bank had announced on its official website the results of the SPI assessment 2024, which evaluated five main pillars comprising 51 indicators covering: data use, data services, data products, data sources, and data infrastructure. Saudi Arabia ranked 6th among G20 countries, scoring 93.2% in the second pillar related to data services. It was also ranked 7th among G20 countries in the fourth pillar concerning data sources and advanced to 17th place globally, compared to 36th place as published last year. Saudi Arabia further achieved advanced results by being placed within the top 20% of countries in three pillars: Data services, Data sources, and Data infrastructure.
For his part, GASTAT President, Fahad Al-Dossari, extended his congratulations to the wise leadership on this international achievement, expressing his appreciation for the support and attention GASTAT continues to receive. Affirming that this sustained support has contributed to enhancing the quality and efficiency of statistical sector operations and outputs, as well as its significant development and alignment with global advancements and rapid changes in this field, reflecting the advancement of the Saudi statistical ecosystem.
It is noteworthy that GASTAT continues its efforts to implement comprehensive statistical transformation, aimed at developing the infrastructure for field and digital surveys and enhancing integration with various governmental, private, and non-profit entities. In achieving this transformation, GASTAT relies on innovation and the use of advanced technologies in data collection and analysis, contributing to improving the quality of statistical outputs and enabling decision-makers to access accurate data that supports the achievement of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 targets. Furthermore, GASTAT continues its pursuit of building national capabilities and adopting the best global practices and methodologies to ensure the sustainability of statistical development and to keep pace with the rapid global changes in the field of statistics.
 

The Warehousing and Logistics Statistics 2024 results showed an increase in the number of activated logistics centers in Saudi Arabia to 23 centers, with a total area of 34.6 million square meters, compared with 22 centers in 2023.
Makkah Region recorded the largest total area, at 20.4 million square meters, distributed across six logistics centers.
The total number of licensed commercial warehouses reached 12,234 with a combined area exceeding 22 million square meters, while the number of construction warehouses stood at 1,189, covering an area of 7.5 million square meters. Data also showed that freight volumes through maritime transportation amounted to 331.3 million tons, compared with 25.7 million tons through road ports, while railway transportation reached 15.6 million tons, and 1.2 million tons through air transportation.
Regarding delivery activity, Warehousing and Logistics Statistics 2024 indicated that the number of orders fulfilled exceeded 290 million, marking an increase of 27.2% The average delivery time decreased from 45 to 35 minutes, while the number of active Saudi drivers in this sector rose to 140,000, and non-Saudi drivers reached 302,000.
Meanwhile, the customs clearance activity witnessed an increase in valid licenses, reaching 1,179 licenses at maritime ports, 465 licenses at road ports, and 722 licenses at airports by the end of 2024.
It is noteworthy that the Warehousing and Logistics Statistics are based on administrative records from several government and private entities. This annual publication provides statistics and indicators on the warehousing and logistics sector, and is used for local, regional, and international comparisons, as well as for conducting studies and research in the field of warehousing and logistics.