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The General Authority for Statistics has issued a publication on its official website, which includes statistics on culture and entertainment. The results of the publication indicate that  80  % of individuals (aged 15 and above) visited cultural events or activities, while 90% visited entertainment events or activities. Publication also shows that 13% of individuals attended national celebrations, while 11% visited cinemas.   The percentage of Saudi individuals and non- Saudi individuals visiting Saudi entertainment seasons reached 39% and 36%, respectively.  The publication's findings showed that 20% of individuals did not visit cultural events and activities and 40% did not visit them because of lack of time. According to the publication, 23% of individuals engage in walking, while 19% play football in their free time. Furthermore, 37% of individuals read at least one book in the past 12 months, while 21% read newspapers and 7% read magazines. It is worth mentioning that the publication presents data on the visitation and engagement of individuals (aged 15 and above) in cultural and entertainment activities based on the results of the Household Culture and Entertainment Survey conducted by the General Authority for Statistics in 2023. The data was collected using telephone interviews and self-reporting from a selected sample of individuals. For more details, please visit the official website of the General Authority for Statistics (stats.gov.sa).

His Excellency Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Aldossari, President of the General Authority for Statistics, met with Ms. Janet Alberda, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at GASTAT’s headquarters in Riyadh. During the meeting, several topics were discussed, most notably addressing ways to strengthen joint work in the statistical sector and reviewing a number of topics of mutual interest in statistical work. It should be noted that the General Authority for Statistics and Statistics Netherlands' office signed a memorandum of understanding earlier aimed at promoting the exchange and development of experience in statistical work between the two countries.

In consultation with IMF, Saudi Arabia worked on a new methodology for calculating FDI statistics through cooperation between the Ministry of Investment, the General Authority for Statistics and the Saudi Central Bank. Saudi Arabia indicated that this methodology aims to improve the quality and transparency of its FDI data according to global best practices, explaining that its final data will be published this year. UNCTAD, the World Investment Report's issuer, has confirmed that the new methodology follows international standards, according to the IMF Balance of Payments Manual. The World Bank also agreed with and welcomed the recommendations of the International Monetary Fund in its report on the Kingdom, which in turn forms the basis of the new methodology. In a statement on this occasion, His Excellency the Minister of Investment Engineer Khaled bin Abdulaziz Al Falih, stated that the new methodology is part of a series of ongoing reforms and improvements to improve the quality and transparency of data in the Kingdom, under Vision 2030, and to achieve the objectives and initiatives of the National Investment Strategy, launched by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. He emphasized that improving the transparency and quality of FDI statistics in the Kingdom would contribute to investors' empowerment and decision makers to make their decisions better, which supports improving the attractiveness of the Kingdom's investment environment and attracting investors from all over the world in line with the Kingdom's objectives by launching the National Investment Strategy, the development of special economic zones, the national initiative of global supply chains and the launch of mega-projects. He stated that the data confirmed the improved performance of the Kingdom in the formation of fixed capital and foreign direct investment, thereby enhancing the Kingdom's position as a leading investment destination, adding that the Kingdom is keen to keep investors up to date on the most important indicators and data in the Saudi economy, and the availability of many quality investment opportunities, through a platform "Invest in Saudi Arabia", which offers investment opportunities across the Middle East. President of the General Authority for Statistics Dr. Fahad Aldossari said that the methodology for calculating the FDI index was adopted after technical consultations with the IMF. The methodology is one of the best international practices in calculating FDI statistics, in line with the IMF Balance of Payments manual. The methodology would contribute to enhancing the accuracy, detail and comprehensiveness of FDI indicators, noting that FDI statistics would serve decision makers in designing policies that would create an attractive investment environment and highlight the Kingdom's investment opportunities. Through this methodology, GASTAT sought to diversify data sources, increase reliance on register-based sources and provide and disseminate more detailed statistics such as FDI stock and flows by economic activity and the Kingdom's investing States. It also provides FDI indicators more periodically through specialized quadrennial surveys. The President of the General Authority for Statistics stressed that these efforts are part of GASTAT’s endeavor to provide accurate, comprehensive, high-quality and transparent statistical information and data. On the other hand, the Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Investment Dr. Saad Al-Shahrani said that access to high-resolution data is crucial not only to measure progress and development, but also to monitor and improve the performance of the domestic economy, and to track investment performance, which accounts for about 25% of the Kingdom's GDP. Over the past two years, the Ministry of Investment has worked according to the new methodology to analyze more than 70 thousand financial lists of many companies. Covering the past 15 years, indicating that the results of this mega-project will support decision makers, analysts and specialists in the preparation of studies and analyses, and will also form the infrastructure for working to identify investment priorities and follow up on performance for the sectors and countries invested in the Kingdom. The preparation and development of the new methodology is based on the Kingdom's unprecedented economic transformation under Vision 2030, which represents the road map and the plan for growth and economic diversification and includes: "The Kingdom seeks to adopt global best practices to achieve the highest standards of transparency and governance." Besides improving the quality and transparency of data, Vision 2030 aims to increase the contribution of FDI to GDP, reaching 5.7%, and to increase the private sector's contribution to GDP from 40% to 65% by 2030, becoming one of the world's 15 largest economies. Saudi Arabia is a leader in updating FDI data through the analysis of financial lists as a source of annual data, with few States following this methodology. This reflects the Kingdom's progress and its reliance on modern methodologies according to global best practices, with the collection and analysis of FDI data and their dissemination in detail expected by the end of this year.

General Authority for Statistics announced today on its official website (stats.gov.sa) the publication of the health determinants indicators in the Kingdom for the year 2023. The results of the publication indicated that the prevalence of obesity among KSA adult population reached 23.7%, and this percentage is similar between males and females. However, the percentage of individuals with ideal weight was significantly higher among females at 39.6% compared to males at 29.5%. Furthermore, the prevalence of obesity among children under the age of fifteen reached 7.3%, while the percentage of children who are underweight was 41%. On the other hand, the results of the Early Childhood Development and Child Well-being Statistics publication for the year 2023 revealed that the percentage of children, females and males in the Kingdom who are developmentally on track in health, learning, and psychosocial and social well-being reached 80.1, 83%, and 77.3%, respectively. Tabuk region recorded the highest value for the Early Childhood Development Indicator at a rate of 83.9%, while Jazan region recorded the lowest value at a rate of 75.9%. Furthermore, the percentage of children in the Kingdom under the age of five who have the ability to speak at least one language well made up 78%, with the percentage of males reaching 75.5%, compared to 80.6% of females.

Yesterday, Wednesday, November 16, 2023, the General Authority for Statistics signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones, on the sidelines of the Black Hat global conference and exhibition held in Riyadh. The agreement aims to enhance integration between the two parties in the field of cybersecurity through the exchange of experiences, knowledge, and relevant information . It also aims to create opportunities for the development and implementation of joint programs and initiatives that contribute to the development of national human resources capabilities in cybersecurity. The memorandum was signed on behalf of the General Authority for Statistics by Mr. Ahmed Al-Ibrahim, Director-General of Cybersecurity and Data Governance, while it was signed on behalf of the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones by Mr. Khaled Al-Sulaim, Deputy Executive President for Business Sector at the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity. The memorandum included the development and exchange of experiences between the two parties, providing opportunities for the employees of both organizations in the field of cybersecurity, exchanging support, technical experiences, and knowledge in areas of mutual interest, as well as providing consultations in each party's areas of expertise.

Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Al-Dossari, President of the General Authority for Statistics, received Mr. Jan Reinhold, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia, in a meeting held on Tuesday, November 21, 2023,in Riyadh, to discuss ways to enhance joint work in the statistical sector and opportunities for developing cooperation in the field of statistical data. During the meeting, the two sides discussed enhancing the level of joint coordination between the their countries in the field of statistical data, working on continuous development of bilateral relations, and using modern technology in disseminating indicators, organizing statistical data and its governance, as well as a number of topics of mutual interest in the statistical field between the two countries. Dr. Fahad Al-Dossari emphasized the importance of the joint relations between the two countries and the importance of cooperation in the field of statistics. He opened broader and more welcoming prospects for cooperation with European countries, in addition to effective cooperation in the field of statistical information and data between the two countries. It is worth mentioning that the trade exchange between Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Estonia amounted to 133 million SAR until September 2023, with total exports to Estonia reaching 59 million SAR, while Saudi Arabia’s imports from Estonia amounted to 73 million SAR.

The 48th meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Arab Institute for Training and Research in Statistics (AITRS) was held in Jeddah. Heads of official Arab statistical centers participated in the meeting. In the opening session, Dr. Fahad Abdullah Aldossari, President of the General Authority for Statistics, delivered an opening speech welcoming the participating delegations and wishing them successful meetings and a pleasant stay in their second home, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  The 48th meeting began with a review of the activities carried out by the Institute during the year 2022, including training courses, studies, and technical consultations provided by the Institute to various Arab statistical agencies in the field of statistical work. The Board of Trustees discussed the Institute's work plan and budget for implementation during the fiscal year 2023/2024. In addition, discussions were held on statistical activities and initiatives in Arab countries and common statistical issues to contribute to providing accurate data necessary for implementing comprehensive economic and social development plans at the Arab regional level. It also aimed to support official statistical systems in Arab countries in fulfilling their developmental duties at both the national and regional levels by providing accurate data and indicators that contribute to enhancing opportunities for better policymaking. It is worth mentioning that the Arab Institute for Training and Research in Statistics plays an important role in developing and building the capacities of human resources in Arab statistical agencies. This is achieved by meeting their training and technical consultation needs in the field of methodologies, concepts, and tools for managing official statistical work. The Institute also develops and implements research and statistical studies relevant to the interests of statistical agencies, in line with their needs. Additionally, it contributes to raising awareness of statistical work by participating in various seminars and conferences held at the regional and international levels.

General Authority for Statistics and Health Insurance Council signed a cooperation agreement between the two parties at the headquarters of the Health Insurance Council. The agreement was signed by Dr. Fahad Aldossari, President of the General Authority for Statistics, and Dr. Shabab Al-Ghamdi, Secretary-General of the Health Insurance Council. The collaboration is a continuation of the significant role that both entities have played in supplying indicators and statistical data. The statistical data and indicators related to the health sector are of high importance to policymakers and decision-makers. Integrating the efforts of both entities enhances the quality and reliability of the data and indicators. Additionally, the agreement includes the exchange of technical and knowledge expertise and working together to improve statistical products and provide technical support in the statistical aspects related to the services of the Health Insurance Council. It also aims to enhance the level of joint coordination in the field of exchanging statistical data, which contributes to providing information and enhancing the services provided to beneficiaries of health insurance.

The Board of Directors of the General Authority for Statistics held its 26th meeting, chaired by His Excellency the Minister of Economy and Planning, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Statistics, Mr. Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim. Several topics were discussed related to the development of statistical work and enhancing the role of the Authority. The Board reviewed the progress made in the projects and strategic initiatives that the Authority is currently working on as part of its strategic transformation. They also discussed the statistical products that will be developed and issued in the coming phase, which will meet the requirements of government and private entities and align with international standards. It is worth mentioning that the General Authority for Statistics is in charge of designing and implementing field surveys, conducting statistical studies and research, collecting and analyzing data, documenting and tabulating it, and extracting indicators. It is also responsible for all activities related to documenting and preserving statistical information and data, as well as preparing national statistical manuals and classifications according to international standards.

General Authority for Statistics has signed a memorandum of cooperation(MoC) with Saudi Broadcasting Authority, aimed at enhancing cooperation between the two entities and promoting coordination and integration of efforts in their respective fields. The (MoC) was signed by Dr. Fahad Aldossari, President of the General Authority for Statistics, and Mr. Mohammed Fahad Al-Harthi, CEO of the Saudi Broadcasting Authority. It includes several areas of collaboration, including the exchange of support and technical and scientific expertise, cooperation in conducting statistical surveys related to providing statistical data and indicators for the media and advertising market, viewership rates, and viewer satisfaction. It also includes the exchange of advice, including research and studies, and the provision of opportunities for employees of both parties to participate in training courses, seminars, scientific conferences, and workshops organized by each party. In this context, Dr. Fahad Aldossari, the President of the General Authority for Statistics, emphasized that the statistical work carried out by the Authority is an important component in achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 by building statistical indicators and measuring them. He pointed out that the media sector receives great attention due to its pivotal role and its effective contribution in enhancing knowledge and building awareness among society towards various sectors and their work, including the General Authority for Statistics and its role in providing statistical data and indicators. He added that this (MoC) will support both entities in fulfilling their roles. Mr. Mohammed bin Fahd Al-Harithi, CEO of the Saudi Broadcasting Authority, affirmed that this (MoC) emphasizes the importance of integration between government entities, which positively reflects on the success of joint work. It also supports the strategy of the Authority in enhancing cooperation with other government entities to keep up with the process of development and change that the Authority is going through. It is worth mentioning that the General Authority for Statistics is the statistical Authority in the Kingdom, and the only official reference for implementing statistical work, as well as its technical and regulatory supervisor. It has multiple tasks, including collecting statistical data and information from public and private entities and individuals, analyzing and studying this data to calculate various statistical indicators, as well as providing statistical consultations and reports for surveys, research, and other data and statistical services within its scope of work. The Saudi Broadcasting Authority has recently been working on strengthening cooperation with government entities in various sectors, keeping pace with the development witnessed by the Kingdom in all fields. The Authority is dedicating all its efforts to anything that enhances the Kingdom's position and highlights the continuous work to achieve the ambitious Vision 2030, which is inseparable from the roles of active media entities.

His Excellency Dr. Fahad Aldossari, President of the General Authority for Statistics, met with Mr. Mohammed Ali AlQaed CEO of the Information & eGovernment Authority in the Kingdom of Bahrain, on the sidelines of the 9th Global Conference on Statistical Data and Metadata Exchange (SDMX). They discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the statistical sector and reviewed opportunities to develop collaboration in the field of statistical data and various topics of mutual interest in the statistical field between the two countries. At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Fahad Aldossari congratulated the Kingdom of Bahrain on the successful hosting of the (SDMX) conference, commending the efforts of the Information & eGovernment Authority, which contributed to the success of the first-ever hosting of the event in the Middle East. He expressed his hopes that the conference would achieve its objectives and contribute to the international efforts aimed at developing the exchange of statistical data and metadata. During the meeting, both sides discussed enhancing the level of coordination in the field of statistical data and metadata, as well as working on the continuous development of bilateral relations. They also discussed developing methods and techniques for calculating indicators, including household income and expenditure surveys, and providing up-to-date statistical data to enhance joint efforts in sustainable development goals between the two countries. This includes the continuous development of mechanisms for calculating indicators, exchanging statistical data and metadata, and governing them, as well as developing cloud computing techniques and continuously benefiting from modern technologies. It is worth mentioning that Dr. Fahad Aldossari, the President of the General Authority for Statistics, visited the Kingdom of Bahrain leading a statistical delegation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to participate in the 9th Global Conference on Statistical Data and Metadata Exchange (SDMX), organized by the Information & eGovernment Authority in Bahrain. The conference is a global event held every two years under the Global SDMX Initiative, launched in 2002, and managed by a group of international organizations with the aim of unifying and updating mechanisms and processes for exchanging statistical data and metadata between international organizations and official statistical agencies.

The General Authority for Statistics and the Korean Statistical Office held a bilateral meeting with the participation of several statistical officials from both sides, in order to activate the joint cooperation program in the statistical field between the General Authority for Statistics and the Korean Statistical Office, whose signature was witnessed by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince - may God protect him - and the Korean President, and signed by the Kingdom's Minister of Economy and Planning, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Statistics, Mr. Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim, and from the Korean side, the Deputy Prime Minister of Economy and Finance of South Korea, Mr. Cho Kyung-Ho. The meeting discussed the mechanism for activating joint cooperation and implementing the statistical work program between the two countries, in addition to enhancing the level of joint coordination in the field of statistical data and working on the continuous development of bilateral relations. It also discussed the development of methods and techniques for calculating indicators and providing accurate and up-to-date statistical data to enhance the goals of sustainable development in all fields. The President of the General Authority for Statistics, Dr. Fahad Aldossari, drew attention to the gracious care received by the joint cooperation program in the statistical field from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince - may God protect him - and in the presence of the Korean President. This confirms the care for the statistical sector and its role in providing data and indicators that support decision-makers and policy-makers in both countries. He praised the fruitful cooperation between the Authority and its Korean counterpart, which has lasted for more than six years, during which the two sides exchanged knowledge and technical expertise in the statistical field, leading to the enhancement of joint cooperation in the coming stage. It should be noted that the joint cooperation program aims to implement evidence-based policies and enhance cooperation in the field of official statistics through the exchange of expertise to produce various indicators and statistics using modern technologies that are in line with global developments in the field of data. It also includes the exchange of statistics that support economic activities and the provision of scientific participation and training opportunities through the organization of joint seminars and workshops between the two countries.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia participated in the 21st International Conference of Labour Statisticians, which was held at the headquarters of the International Labour Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, in October 2023. The delegation of the Kingdom was headed by His Excellency the President of the General Authority for Statistics, Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Aldossari. The conference aims to establish new statistical standards for measuring the informal economy and update the previous standards related to the informal sector and employment. It also discussed several topics related to labour market statistics, including standards for voluntary work, child labor, the International Classification of Status in employment, statistics on digital platform work, and more. Experts from government sectors representing the ministries of labour, national statistical offices, employers' organizations, and workers' organizations participated in the conference. Dr. Fahad Aldossari emphasized the importance of the conference's agenda, which included reviewing the International Classification of Status in Employment (ICSE), updating the implementation of the resolution on labour and employment statistics, statistical standards for measuring labour migration, and youth integration in the labour market. He also highlighted the monitoring of Sustainable Development Goals indicators under the auspices of the International Labour Organization, which measure the level of progress in achieving sustainable development targets. In addition, he mentioned the updating of decisions and guidelines related to measuring income associated with work and the impact of cooperation with the Organization on the statistical indicators issued by the Authority within the framework of international methodologies. He commended the International Labour Organization's initiatives in supporting the capabilities of statistical agencies and its role in preparing for the International Conference of Labour Statisticians along with its excellent organization, which succeeded in bringing together a large number of experts, specialists, and institutions in the field of labour market statistics. It is worth mentioning that the International Labour Organization organizes the International Conference of Labour Statisticians once every five years, to set standards in the field of labour statistics at the international level, issue specific recommendations on selected topics in the field of labour statistics, and formulate decisions and guiding principles that are subsequently approved by the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization.

General Authority for Statistics announced, on its official website (stats.gov.sa), a number of health status indicators in the Kingdom, as it issued 3 specialized statistical publications that included many indicators related to the general health status, women’s health and reproductive care, in addition to comprehensive health care for the year 2023. In 2023, the percentage of adults aged (15 years and above) and children aged (under 15 years old)  in the Kingdom who have private health insurance to cover basic healthcare expenses recorded 37.5% and 19.5%, respectively. The percentage of adults aged (15 years and above) in the Kingdom who pay healthcare on their own was 21.8%, while the percentage of children whose parents pay their healthcare on their own was 9.7%. The percentage of adults aged (15 years and above) who undergo annual regular check-ups was 47%, according to the publication’s results.  On the other hand, the results of the publication on the health status of the population in the Kingdom in 2023 showed that the percentage of adults aged (15 years and above) who rated their health quality as good or very good was 53%, while the percentage among children and adolescents aged 4 to 14 years was 71%. The percentage of women who had a negative perception of their health status was 30%, compared to 25% among adult men (15 years and above). Regarding women's health, the results of the publication on women's health and reproductive care in 2023 showed that the percentage of health coverage provided by private health insurance during pregnancy and childbirth for recent births in the Kingdom was 26%, while the percentage of those who pay the costs of providing healthcare during pregnancy and childbirth on their own was 13.5%. The percentage of mothers who had at least four visits to a healthcare provider before childbirth reached 88.8%. The percentage of births attended by skilled health specialists was 99.8%, out of total births in the Kingdom during 2023, while the percentage of c-section births was 34.5%, out of total births in the Kingdom during 2023. On the other hand, the percentage of married women of reproductive age who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern method was 54%.

The General Authority for Statistics participated in the 9th Global Conference on (SDMX), which is being held in the Kingdom of Bahrain under the title of “Empowering Data Communities.” His Excellency Dr. Fahad Aldossari, the President of the General Authority for Statistics, headed the Authority’s delegation participating in the conference with the aim of discussing the latest developments in the field of statistical data and metadata and benefiting from techniques and tools that contribute to enhancing cooperation, knowledge and exchange of metadata through an international initiative to exchange statistical data and metadata between international organizations and a number of statistical offices. The President of the General Authority for Statistics gave a speech at the conference in which he expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to the Kingdom of Bahrain for hosting this important conference and for the good organization and hospitality. He also extended his appreciation to the Bahrain Information & eGovernment Authority (IGA), statistical offices, participating international organizations and SDMX sponsors for co-hosting this event with the support of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for West Asia (ESCWA) and Banca d’Italia.  During his speech, Dr. Fahad Aldossari said that SDMX international initiative was launched in response to the continuing level of rapid developments and the ongoing demand for large and informative data sets to empower the data community and update and unify the mechanisms within this field, whether at a national or international level. He also pointed out that SDMX frameworks and standards are intended to help national statistical offices organize and exchange data and metadata. Additionally, our office uses SDMX to upload KSA’s data on platforms run by the International Monetary Fund and ESCWA. The areas covered include statistics of GDP, labor market, price, export, import, and relevant indicators of sustainable development goals through advancements in the application and use of SDMX rules at the international level, to facilitate the exchange of statistical data with regional and international organizations. He confirmed that over the recent years the volume of statistical work has expanded, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's statistics sector has seen substantial transformations through statistical initiatives and projects led by the General Authority for Statistics, in order to produce statistical data and indicators  and to use the most sophisticated infrastructures for integrating various data sources and best in class infrastructures for data management and governance. In addition to the newly constructed data lake, it makes use of cloud computing techniques, and this technology is continuously being improved as part of the digital transformation initiative that supported development plans, programs, and policies including Vision 2030. In addition to the actively and successfully participates in international workshops and conferences to prepare and enable the national staff to transfer knowledge to the team leading the statistical transformation process in the Kingdom. On the other hand, the 9th Global Conference on (SDMX) will be held over five days, from 29 October 2023 to 2 November 2023, and includes several key sessions on the importance of using new technologies for the (SDMX ) and utilizing artificial intelligence techniques as an enabling tool to facilitate access to official statistics. A number of workshops are also held with the aim of strengthening international relations and cooperation between major international organizations and benefiting from the technical expertise shared to develop statistical work among statistical offices. It is noteworthy that the 9th Global Conference on (SDMX) is organized by the Bahrain Information & eGovernment Authority (IGA) and is a major international event in the statistical sector and indicators. It is organized every two years through the international initiative (SDMX), which was launched in 2002 and is managed by a group of international organizations with the aim of unifying and modernizing mechanisms and processes for exchanging statistical data and metadata between international organizations and a number of statistical offices.

The General Authority for Statistics participated in the 10th meeting of the Permanent Committee for Statistical Work, held in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, with the attendance of heads of statistical centers in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The committee aims to enhance joint Gulf statistical work, providing statistical data to support development plans and exchanging experiences among member states. During their meeting, the committee members discussed the continued implementation of the recommendations from the previous meeting held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and reviewed the orientations regarding the Gulf Statistical Work Development Initiative, which aims to enhance cooperation with the Gulf Standardization Organization. They also studied statistical indicators to measure the implementation of decisions by the Supreme Council on the ground. Additionally, they discussed a decision by the Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee to entrust member states with building databases for the common Gulf market. They also discussed global developments and common challenges facing statistical work in the Gulf countries. Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Al-Dosari, The President of the General Authority for Statistics and a member of the Permanent Committee for Gulf Statistical Work, presented the experience of Saudi Census 2022 and the phases it went through. He highlighted the integration of administrative data with field data, which contributed to improving the quality of outputs, and the activation of geographic maps. He also mentioned the steps taken by the authority to enhance innovation in statistical work, expand accurate data, and provide open-source data for beneficiaries.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) issued a positive report on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after the conclusion of their 2023 Article 4 Consultation discussions with the Kingdom. The IMF report affirmed that the Saudi economy is in a state of prosperity and growth, and that the Kingdom's fiscal position is strong. The IMF also praised the progress Saudi Arabia has made in implementing its Saudi Vision 2030 reform agenda. Additionally, the IMF lauded the acceleration of the Kingdom's digital transformation, the increase in female participation in the labor market, reforms in the regulatory and the business environment, ongoing efforts to invest in human capital, and the continuous growth of non-oil GDP. The report commended the Kingdom's continuing efforts to complete economic and financial reforms and achieve Saudi Vision 2030 targets, noting that the Kingdom was the fastest-growing G20 economies in 2022 with a rate of 8.7%, and with non-oil GDP growing at about 4.8%, while unemployment rates among Saudis declined to their lowest historical level at 8%. The participation of Saudi women in the labor market has reached record levels at about 37% (from 18% in 2017), exceeding the target of 30% envisioned by Saudi Vision 2030. The report also welcomed the ongoing national efforts to enhance women's contribution to supporting the national economy. In addition, the report praised the Kingdom's efforts to contain inflation that has cast a shadow over the global economy, explaining that it was contained through domestic subsidies/price cap on certain products, as well as the strength of the U.S dollar, which led to the consumer price index (CPI) reaching just 2.5% in 2022. The report noted that although the average index increased in early 2023 to 3.4%, it decreased again to 2.8% by May 2023. The IMF report emphasized that the continuation of Saudi Vision 2030 reforms represents progress in advancing the country's economic diversification programs to reduce its dependence on oil. It projected a continuation of the strong momentum of non-oil GDP growth, and that average growth will reach 4.9% in 2023, driven by strong consumption spending, increase private investment through projects and programs that enhance the growth of the private sector in addition to the accelerated projects implementation, which will reflect positively on the growth of non-oil GDP, the IMF said. The report also welcomed the ongoing reform efforts within the framework of the Fiscal Sustainability Program, including improving non-oil revenues, rationalizing spending, and strengthening the public finance framework. It also noted the low and sustainable debt levels and the availability of a strong fiscal space, while praising the remarkable progress in public finance transparency through the expanded budget statement and other detailed reports. The IMF stressed that the Kingdom's monetary policy (fixed exchange rate) is appropriate and serves the Kingdom's economy, and that the performance of the banking sector remains strong during the current year, thanks to the continuous efforts of the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) to modernize the regulatory and supervisory frameworks. This contributed to the achievement of high profitability rates (higher than pre-pandemic levels), in addition to high capital adequacy ratios and low non-performing (NPL) loan ratios. The report also welcomed the efforts of the Saudi Central Bank to promote the Kingdom as a fintech hub. The report praised the continuing efforts by the Kingdom's government to enhance governance, fight corruption, and confront the challenges of climate change. It also praised the plans being implemented to increase renewable energy, the Kingdom's goal to become the largest producer of clean hydrogen in the world, and the tangible role of the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) in reducing carbon emissions, expecting that these efforts will contribute to reducing emissions to the target level for the year 2030, and indicating that the Kingdom recorded the second-lowest emissions globally per unit  produced. The report noted the positive transformation in the Saudi housing sector through a number of programs that contributed to an increase in the percentage of home ownership to 60.6% in 2022, in pursuit of the Vision 2030 goal of 70% by 2030. It also noted the importance of industrial policies in the success of the Kingdom's efforts toward structural transformation and diversification under Saudi Vision 2030. With regard to the Kingdom's digital transformation, the report indicated that the Kingdom ranks high in a number of global digitization rankings for example digital infrastructure and the maturity of digital government transformation. Also, the strong digital development in Saudi Arabia has improved financial inclusion, the resilience of the financial sector, and enhanced government effectiveness, pointing out that Saudi Vision 2030 played a pivotal role in accelerating the pace of digital transformation.

The General Authority for the Care of Persons with Disabilities and the General Authority for Statistics signed a memorandum of cooperation on Monday, 20 Muharram 1445 AH, corresponding to August 7, 2023, in Riyadh. The memorandum aims to enhance the level of joint coordination in the field of statistical data, which contributes to providing data and information and improving the quality of services provided to persons with disabilities, as well as ensuring their necessary care and rehabilitation. The memorandum was signed by Dr. Hisham bin Mohammed Al-Haidari, the CEO of the General Authority for the Care of Persons with Disabilities, and Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Al-Dosari, the President of the General Authority for Statistics. The agreement aims to enhance integration between the two entities in achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, through the exchange of relevant official statistics for persons with disabilities. The General Authority for the Care of Persons with Disabilities is responsible for serving them and working towards integrating efforts to improve statistical products for this category. Additionally, the agreement includes providing technical support to the General Authority for the Care of Persons with Disabilities in statistical aspects related to handling and exchanging data and information, issuing reports and publications, and monitoring social variables for persons with disabilities. It is worth mentioning that the General Authority for the Care of Persons with Disabilities aims to be the comprehensive umbrella for all matters related to persons with disabilities, granting them their full rights and empowering them in collaboration with relevant entities. It seeks to ensure their rights related to disabilities and contribute to enhancing their independence and empowerment through their participation in various activities and full inclusion in all aspects of life, to achieve an inclusive and harmonious society.

The General Authority for Statistics hosted on Tuesday the 12th Session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Statistical Commission in Jeddah, with the participation of 56 countries represented by the heads of the official statistical centers in the member states, and in the presence of six international organizations. The Commission 's meetings will continue for two consecutive days and are organized by the Statistical Economic and Social Research and Training Center for Islamic Countries (SESRIC). In his opening speech, Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Aldossari, the President of the General Authority for Statistics, welcomed the participating delegations and expressed his sincere wishes for the success of the 12th session. He also mentioned the efforts exerted by SESRIC to enhance cooperation among Islamic countries in the field of statistical exchange and training, reaffirming GASTAT’s support for all efforts aimed at developing statistical services. It is worth mentioning that the 12th Session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Statistical Commission aims to enhance the technical and scientific capabilities of statistical personnel in the official statistical agencies of the member states, and to exchange statistical experiences and knowledge in order to produce high-quality statistics, guided by specific objectives and principles to enhance solidarity and cooperation among Islamic countries. The agenda includes several sessions aimed at enhancing the production and dissemination of accurate and up-to-date statistical data and indicators in accordance with internationally recognized methodologies and standards. It also focuses on developing a strategic vision to improve the level of statistical systems and implementing and monitoring short, medium, and long-term plans to achieve this vision, in order to enhance the technical capabilities of national statistical agencies in Islamic countries.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) issued today, Thursday, 13/3/1445 H, corresponding to September 28, 2023, through its official website www.stats.gov.sa, "Labor Market ؛Publication for the second quarter of 2023." According to the results of this Publication, the overall unemployment rate (for Saudis and non-Saudis) decreased to 4.9% compared to the first quarter of 2023. The unemployment rate for Saudis also decreased, reaching 8.3% for the second quarter of 2023, compared to 8.5% in the first quarter of the same year. Similarly, the unemployment rate for Saudi females decreased to 15.7% for the second quarter of 2023, compared to 16.1% in the previous quarter. It is worth noting that the unemployment rate for Saudi males remained stable at 4.6% during the second quarter of 2023. During the second quarter of 2023, labor force indicators showed a decline in the overall labor force participation rate (for Saudis and non-Saudis), reaching 60.8% compared to the first quarter of 2023. The labor force participation rate for Saudis also decreased to 51.7% in the second quarter of 2023, compared to the previous quarter. The results of the Labor Market Publication for Q2/2023 indicated a decrease in the labor force participation rate for Saudi females, reaching 35.3% compared to the previous quarter. The labor force participation rate for Saudi males also fell to 67.5% during the second quarter of 2023, compared to 68.3% in the previous quarter. It is noted that the Labor Market Publication, as indicated by the General Authority for Statistics, relies on a household survey conducted by GASTAT under the category of "Social Statistics." It collects information through a sample of households that represent the population in various administrative regions in Saudi Arabia. An electronic questionnaire is filled out, containing a number of questions. Through this survey, estimates and indicators related to the labor force of the population in working age group (15 years and above) residing in Saudi Arabia are provided. It also estimates the population (within and outside the labor force) and calculates the most important labor market indicators, such as the unemployment rate and labor force participation rate, among others.