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

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) issued the International Trade Statistics Publication for December 2024. According to the results, non-oil exports recorded an increase of 18.1% compared to December 2023. The value of re-exported goods also increased by 23.4% during the same period. However, merchandise exports decreased by 2.8% in December 2024, while imports  increased by 27.1% compared to December 2023.
The results indicated that "chemical industry products" are among the most important non-oil export goods, accounting for 25.9% of total non-oil exports. 

Furthermore, the results of the International Trade Publication for Q4 of 2024 showed a 17.3% increase in non-oil exports (including re-exports) compared to Q4 of 2023. National non-oil exports (excluding re-exports) increased by 8.2%, while the value of re-exported goods increased by 47.3% during the same period. However, merchandise exports in Q4 of 2024 decreased by 6.1% compared to the same period in 2023, mainly due to a 13.3% decrease in oil exports. The share of oil exports in the total exports decreased from 76.4% in Q4 of 2023 to 70.5% in Q4 of 2024.
Regarding imports, there was a 15.5% increase in Q4 of 2024. In terms of trade balance, the surplus decreased by 52.4% from Q4 of 2023.
It is worth noting that international trade statistics rely on administrative records from the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority (non-oil) and the Ministry of Energy (oil). The Kingdom's merchandise exports and imports are classified according to the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System 2022.
 

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

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

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

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released today the International Trade Statistics Publication for January 2025. According to the publication’s results, merchandise exports grew by 2.4% in January 2025 compared to January 2024. Non-oil exports (including re-exports) increased by 10.7% over January 2024. Meanwhile, imports rose by 8.3% in January 2025, while the trade balance surplus declined by 11.9% compared to January 2024.
The publication’s results indicated an increase in the ratio of non-oil exports to imports (including re-exports), reaching 36.5% in January 2025, up from 35.7% in January 2024. Additionally, the percentage of oil exports in total exports declined from 74.8% in January 2024 to 72.7% in January 2025.
The publication’s results also showed that "chemical industry products" were among the top non-oil export commodities, accounting for 23.7% of total non-oil exports. Meanwhile, the most imported commodities were "machinery, electrical equipment, and parts," making up 25.9% of total imports.
Moreover, the results highlighted that the Republic of China represented the Kingdom’s main trading partner in merchandise trade. Exports to China made up 15.2% of total exports in January 2025, while imports from China accounted for 26.4% of total imports during the same period.

The General Authority for Statistics released the results of the Industrial Production Index (IPI) for February 2025. According to the report, IPI decreased by 0.2% compared to the same month of the previous year (February 2024), primarily due to a decline in mining and quarrying activities.
The report showed a 0.7% year-on-year decrease in the sub-index for mining and quarrying activities. In contrast, the sub-index for manufacturing activities rose by 0.2%. The sub-index for electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply recorded an increase of 1.1%, while the sub-index for water supply, sewage, waste management, and treatment activities recorded a significant rise of 13.1%.
According to the main economic activities, the results indicated that the IPI for oil-related activities decreased by 1.6% in February 2025, while the index for non-oil activities rose by 3.2%.
It is worth noting that the General Authority for Statistics publishes IPI monthly. This economic indicator reflects the relative changes in the volume of industrial production, based on data from the Industrial Production Survey, which is conducted on a sample of industrial establishments operating in the targeted industrial activities, including mining and quarrying, manufacturing, electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply, and water supply, sewage, waste management, and treatment activities.
 

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

The annual inflation rate in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reached 2.0% in November 2024, compared to the same month last year. This inflation rate is considered one of the lowest among the G20 countries.
It is worth mentioning that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) reflects changes in the prices paid by consumers for a fixed basket of goods and services, consisting of 490 items. This basket was selected based on the results of the Household Income and Expenditure Survey conducted in 2018. The relevant prices are collected through field visits to retail outlets, and the CPI statistics for the Kingdom are published on a monthly basis.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released today the Tourism Establishments Statistics Publication for Q2 2024. According to the results, the total number of employees in tourism activities reached 959,175 during the second quarter of 2024, showing an increase of 5.1% compared to the same quarter in 2023. The number of Saudi employees was 245,905, accounting for 25.6% of the total. Meanwhile, the number of non-Saudi employees was 713,270, making up 74.4% of the total labor force in tourism activities.
The results revealed that the number of male employees in tourism activities reached 831,076, accounting for 86.6% of the total labor force. Meanwhile, the number of female employees in tourism activities was 128,099, making up 13.4% of the total labor force in tourism activities during the second quarter of 2024.
The results also indicated that the percentage of employees in tourism activities was 5.7% of the total labor force in the economy during the second quarter of 2024, showing a decrease of 0.2% compared to the same quarter in 2023. Additionally, the percentage of employees in tourism activities in the private sector was 8.6%, reflecting a decrease of 0.5% compared to the second quarter of 2023.
The results showed that the hotel room occupancy rate was approximately 55.4% in the second quarter of 2024, showing an increase of 0.5% compared to the same period in 2023. Furthermore, the occupancy rate for serviced apartments and other hospitality facilities reached 52.4% in the second quarter of 2024, reflecting a rise of 1.5% compared to the same quarter in 2023.
The Publication demonstrated that the average daily room rate in hotels reached approximately 725.5 SAR during the second quarter of 2024, marking a 0.4% decrease compared to the same quarter in 2023. Meanwhile, the average daily room rate for serviced apartments and other hospitality facilities stood at 254.3 SAR in the same period, reflecting a 15.2% increase from the second quarter of 2023.
The results revealed that the average length of stay for guests in hotels was approximately 5.2 nights during the second quarter of 2024, representing a 17.6% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Meanwhile, the average length of stay for guests in serviced apartments and other hospitality facilities was around 2.1 nights during the same quarter, reflecting a 10.9% decrease from the second quarter of 2023.
It is worth mentioning that the data of Tourism Establishments Statistics for the second quarter of 2024 are based on several sources to provide comprehensive information about tourism activities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These sources include administrative records, statistical surveys, and secondary data.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released today the 2024 Health Status Statistics Publication. According to the results, 97.4% of adults (aged 15 and above) rated their health as good or better.
The results revealed that 18.95% of adults (aged 15 and above) have a chronic disease, with the most common chronic conditions being diabetes (9.1%), hypertension (7.9%), cholesterol (3.6%), cardiovascular diseases (1.5%), and cancer (0.6%). Among children (under 15 years), 9.4% were found to have a chronic disease, with the most prevalent conditions being asthma (4.1%), allergies (2.0%), skin diseases (1.6%), hyperactivity (0.8%), autism (0.6%), diabetes (0.5%), and cancer (0.3%).
The Publication results indicated that 1.8% of adults (aged 15 and above) suffer from severe depression, with a higher prevalence among females at 2.5%, compared to 1.4% for males. Meanwhile, 0.2% of adults experience severe anxiety, with 0.4% of females affected, compared to 0.2% for males.
It is worth noting that the Health Status Statistics Publication for adults and children presents indicators based on self-reported data from the results of the 2024 National Health Survey and the 2024 Women and Child Health Survey, along with population estimates from the General Authority for Statistics for the year 2024.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released the 2024 Women's Health and Reproductive Care Statistics report today. According to the report's findings, the natural birth rate in the Kingdom was 71.4%, compared to 28.1% for cesarean births in the age group of 15-49 years. Additionally, the percentage of births attended by skilled health professionals was 99.6%.
The results indicated that 99.5% of women had at least one visit to a healthcare provider before childbirth. Furthermore, 66.1% of births took place in public hospitals, while 32% occurred in private hospitals.
The report's results showed that 65% of women breastfed their newborns within the first hour of birth. Additionally, 53.2% of infants were breastfed during the day prior to the visit.
The report's results revealed that 29.9% of married women are currently using any form of family planning. Furthermore, 56% of married women of reproductive age have successfully met their family planning needs using modern methods. The percentage of women who decide independently or jointly with their husbands to use contraceptive methods is 74.9%, while 89.8% of women make decisions either independently or in collaboration with their husbands regarding healthcare.
It is worth noting that the Women's Health and Reproductive Care Statistics rely on data from the Women's and Child Health Survey, which is conducted annually by the General Authority for Statistics through a sample of women in the age group of 15-49 years.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) issued the Environment Statistics Publication 2023. According to the results of the publication, marine protected areas recorded an increase in their area for the year 2023 by 17.7% to reach 14 thousand square kilometers compared to 2022. The area of terrestrial protected areas also increased by 7.1% to reach 361 thousand square kilometers compared to the previous year, constituting 18.1% of the total land area of the Kingdom. 
The results of the publication indicated an increase in the annual rainfall rate by 152 millimeters, a 53.4% increase from 2022. The amount of flood water entering the dams in 2023 increased by 164.1% compared to the previous year, reaching 1,564 million cubic meters.

The results also revealed a 13.3% increase in the volume of treated water reused in 2023 compared to the previous year, representing 25.2% of the treated water volume for 2023. The results showed a 4.6% decrease in the amount of collected waste, which amounted to 19.8 million tons compared to 2022.

The publication also showed an increase in the area of green spaces in the municipal sector by 3.2%, and an increase in the area of parks and recreational areas in the municipal sector by 1.4% compared to 2022. The area of national parks reached 340 million square meters in 2023, with 2.6 million trees planted in them.

It is worth mentioning that the Environment Statistics Publication was prepared in accordance with the general framework for environmental statistics developed by the United Nations. The publication relies on two main sources: statistics from the General Authority for Statistics (censuses and sample surveys) and statistics from administrative records sources including the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, the General Authority for Water, and environmental centers.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) issued today the Labor Market Publication for the third quarter of 2024. According to the findings of the publication, the unemployment rate among Saudis in the third quarter of 2024 stood at 7.8%, reflecting an increase of 0.7 percentage points compared to the second quarter of the same year, yet demonstrating an annual decrease of 1.0 percentage points relative to the third quarter of 2023.

The publication further revealed that the overall labor force participation rate (including Saudis and non-Saudis) rose by 0.4 percentage points from the second quarter of 2024, reaching 66.6%. Additionally, the labor force participation rate among Saudi nationals increased by 0.7 percentage points during the third quarter of 2024, reaching 51.5%, which also represents an annual rise of 0.7 percentage points. The employment-to-population ratio for Saudis grew by 0.2 percentage points to 47.4%, reflecting an annual increase of 1.1 percentage points.

The results also highlighted a notable increase of 0.8 percentage points in the labor force participation rate of Saudi females, which reached 36.2%. Furthermore, the employment-to-population ratio among Saudi females rose by 0.5 percentage points to 31.3%. For young Saudi females aged 15-24, the labor force participation rate increased by 1.0 percentage point to 18.0%, while their employment-to-population ratio rose by 0.6 percentage points to 13.6% during the third quarter of 2024.

Among Saudi young males, labor force participation rose by 1.1 percentage points, reaching 34.6%. For Saudi males as a whole, the labor force participation rate increased by 0.6 percentage points, reaching 66.9%, while their employment-to-population ratio rose to 63.7%. Regarding Saudi nationals within the core working-age group (25-54 years), the labor force participation rate increased by 0.7 percentage points, reaching 69.4%, while the employment-to-population ratio rose by 0.3 percentage points, reaching 64.8%.

It is worth noting that unemployed Saudis adopt a diverse range of active job search methods, with an average of 5.0 methods utilized per job seeker. Among these, the most frequently employed method was seeking job opportunities through friends or relatives, accounting for 87.7%. This was followed by direct applications to employers, at 75.0%, while 71.2% utilized the Unified National Employment Platform (Jadarat).
 

The Ministry of Education (MoE), in collaboration with the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), launched the Statistical Knowledge Program in public schools. The initiative aims to cultivate a generation equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to handle accurate data and information from reliable sources. The program seeks to empower students to confidently and professionally utilize data, enhance their research and analytical abilities, and promote statistical literacy within the school community.
The program includes the Statistical Knowledge Competition, targeting intermediate and secondary school students in public and private schools. Participants can answer a set of questions online, based on data published on GASTAT portal. Running for ten days, from Sunday, December 15, to Thursday, December 26, the competition aims to enhance research and data usage skills while fostering statistical awareness.
The Ministry encouraged students to participate by registering through GASTAT’s portal, which provides resources to assist participants in accessing the necessary data. Participants will be awarded electronic certificates acknowledging their involvement, which can also be shared on social media. Furthermore, the most interacting educational departments, determined by participant numbers, will be recognized and honored.
The Statistical Knowledge Program features a variety of activities, including utilizing school broadcasts to educate students about the importance of statistical work and its role in development. The program also includes field visits by GASTAT  representatives to schools, offering practical and enriching sessions. Additionally, it provides specialized knowledge guides covering statistical terminology, occupational classifications, and number writing policies.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) issued the Statistical Quality Assurance Framework, which provides principles and standards for collecting, processing, and publishing official statistics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The framework's provisions are based on the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics issued by the United Nations, aligned with the United Nations' Quality Assurance Framework, taking into consideration the regulation of the General Authority for Statistics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Statistical Quality Assurance Framework consists of four levels: statistical system management, institutional environment management, statistical processes, and statistical products. These levels include eighteen principles, which are further divided into a set of standards and methods that contribute to ensuring compliance with these principles.
GASTAT has made the Statistical Quality Assurance Framework available on its official website in both Arabic and English. It is designed to benefit professionals in the field of statistics, researchers, enthusiasts, as well as government and private sector institutions.
GASTAT encourages those interested to visit its online portal at (www.stats.gov.sa) to explore the Statistical Quality Assurance Framework. The authority is also open to answering any questions or providing further information, which can be obtained by contacting its representatives through the unified statistical number at (199009) or via the client support email at (info@stats.gov.sa).

GASTA announced today the results of the 2023 Food Security Statistics Publication in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. According to the Publication, dates achieved the highest self-sufficiency rate among plant-based products in the Kingdom for 2023, reaching 119%, followed by figs and eggplants, each at 107%, then cucumbers at 102%, and zucchini at 100%. Potatoes recorded a self-sufficiency rate of 87%, tomatoes 76%, and onions 51%.

The results also indicated that shrimp achieved the highest self-sufficiency rate among animal-based products in the Kingdom for 2023, reaching 147%, followed by dairy products at 129%, and table eggs at 100%. Regarding meat, the self-sufficiency rate for poultry meat stood at 71%, while red meat reached 61%. For fish, the self-sufficiency rate was recorded at 48%.

The Publication also presented data on per capita supply (available for consumption). Among plant-based products, rice recorded the highest per capita consumption rate in the Kingdom for 2023, at 45.77 kg/year, followed by dates at 38.58 kg/year, and tomatoes at 22.25 kg/year. The per capita consumption of onions and potatoes stood at 17.52 kg/year and 16.08 kg/year, respectively. for fruits, the per capita consumption of bananas was 11.31 kg/year and oranges 10.64 kg/year, while coffee (beans) recorded 2.61 kg/year.

As for animal-based products, milk registered the highest per capita consumption at 70.19 liters/year, followed by poultry meat at 43.40 kg/year. The per capita consumption of eggs was 246 eggs/year, and red meat stood at 10.80 kg/year.

It is worth noting that the 2023 Food Security Statistics Publication provides comprehensive data on the four dimensions of food security: availability, accessibility, stability, and utilization. The bulletin was based on data from surveys and statistical reports issued by the General Authority for Statistics, as well as administrative records from the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, the General Food Security Authority, and the Agricultural Development Fund.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released the Water Accounts Publication 2023. According to the results, agricultural consumption of non-renewable groundwater decreased by 7% in 2023, amounting to 9,356 million cubic meters compared to 2022. Renewable groundwater accounted for 21% of the total groundwater extracted in 2023, while non-renewable groundwater extraction decreased by 6%, reaching 10,849 million cubic meters in the same year. Additionally, desalinated water constituted 50% of the distributed water quantity in 2023, compared to 44% in 2022.
The publication’s results revealed that water consumption for agricultural purposes in 2023 reached 12,298 million cubic meters. The agricultural sector accounted for 0.5% of the total water expenditure, while the industrial sector's water expenditure represented 61.4%. Household expenditure on water usage amounted to 38.1%.
The results indicated a 31% increase in the supply of desalinated seawater in 2023, reaching 3,785 million cubic meters. Desalinated seawater accounted for 22% of the total water supply from natural resources, while non-renewable groundwater made up 62% of the total water supply from natural resources in 2023. Additionally, the consumption of reused water rose by 12%, reaching 555 million cubic meters compared to 495 million cubic meters in 2022.
It is worth noting that the Water Accounts Publication provides both quantitative and monetary data on water at the national level for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in accordance with the National Classification of Economic Activities (ISIC4), the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA), and the Central Framework (2012).
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) has announced the results of the Statistical Knowledge Competition, which it launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. The competition targeted middle and high school students in all public and private schools across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It commenced on December 15 and concluded on December 26 of the same month.
According to the results announced by GASTAT, a total of 16 educational departments participated in the competition. The total number of student participants reached 243,245 students, with 84,576 male students and 158,669 female students. The participation from middle school students amounted to 114,129 students, while high school students contributed a total of 129,116 participants.
The results revealed that students from the General Directorate of Education in Riyadh Region had the highest participation, with 46,635 students, representing 21.0% of the total participants. They were followed by students from the General Directorate of Education in Taif Governorate, with 38,953 participants, accounting for 17.5% of the total participants. Students from the General Directorate of Education in the Eastern Province came third place with 38,030 participants, making up 17.1% of the total participants. In fourth place were students from the General Directorate of Education in Makkah Region, with 20,183 participants, representing 9.1% of the total participants. Students from the General Directorate of Education in the Qassim Region came in fifth place, with 17,692 participants, accounting for 8.0% of the total participants.
It is worth noting that the Statistical Knowledge Competition is one of the key initiatives of the Statistical Knowledge Program, launched by the General Authority for Statistics in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. The program aims to introduce students to data science and statistics, familiarize them with statistical work, and educate them on the stages of conducting field surveys, including data collection, quality assurance, and accuracy verification. Additionally, the program seeks to clarify and explain statistical concepts, such as statistical indicators, and train students on utilizing statistical data sources, which contribute to achieving sustainable development goals and realizing the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
 

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

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) announced today the results of Healthcare Statistics Publication 2024 for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. According to the publication, 100% of Saudi citizens had basic healthcare coverage in 2024, while the coverage rate for the entire population of the Kingdom was 95.9%.
The publication also highlighted that the rate of visits to healthcare providers by residents of the Kingdom over the past 12 months was 1.9 visits per person. Furthermore, 13.1% of the population consulted a dentist within the same period, with 55.6% rating their most recent dental visit as excellent.
The results of the publication released by GASTAT revealed that 94.8% of adults in Saudi Arabia (15 years and above) had basic healthcare coverage, whether through government healthcare programs or private insurance.
Additionally, the publication highlighted that 96.1% of children under 15 years in the Kingdom were covered by basic healthcare services, either through government health coverage or private insurance.

These results highlight the Kingdom's progress in providing comprehensive access to healthcare for all segments of society.
The results of the publication indicated that the rate of visits to a healthcare provider over the past 12 months among the adult population (15 years and above) in the Kingdom was 1.9. This rate was higher among Saudis, reaching 2.6, compared to1.2 for non-Saudis. The rate was also higher among females at 2.5, compared to 1.6 among males.
The publication results also indicated that the rate of visits to a healthcare provider over the past 12 months among children and adolescents was 2. This rate was higher among Saudis at 2, compared to 1.6 for non-Saudis.
Based on the publication,  55.6% of the population rated their last visit to a dentist as excellent, while 30.4% rated their experience as good.
The publication results indicated that 24.3% of adults (15 years and above) accessed their electronic medical records online, 20.5% used the internet to obtain health-related information (such as illness, disease, nutrition, and health improvement), and 4.5% used teleconsultation services to consult with healthcare providers.
It is worth noting that the Healthcare Statistics Publication is a valuable source for understanding healthcare indicators for both the adult and child populations in the Kingdom, based on the results of the National Health Survey and the Women and Child Health Survey 2024, as well as population estimates provided by the General Authority for Statistics for the same year.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released today the International Trade Statistics Publication for November 2024. According to the results, non-oil exports recorded an increase of 19.7% compared to November 2023. Additionally, the value of re-exports increased by 82.9% during the same period. However, the total exports of goods decreased by 4.7% in November 2024 compared to November 2023, whereas imports increased by 13.9% in November 2024.

The publication’s results showed that "chemical products" were among the main non-oil export goods, accounting for 24.0% of total non-oil exports. However, it decreased by 1.6% compared to November 2023. Next, "rubber, plastics and their products", accounting for 21.7% of non-oil exports, with a 4.0% increase from November 2023. On the import side, the largest imported goods were "electrical machinery, equipment, and parts," which constituted 28.1% of total imports, showing a 22.4% increase compared to November 2023. Following them were "transport equipment and parts," which made up 14.2% of total imports, increasing by 22.0% compared to November 2023.