The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report for the first quarter of 2025. According to the publication’s results, real GDP achieved a growth rate of 3.4% compared to the same quarter of 2024, driven by a 4.9% growth in non-oil activities, in addition to a 3.2% growth in government activities, while oil activities recorded a decline of 0.5%. Meanwhile, seasonally adjusted real GDP rose by 1.1% compared to the fourth quarter of 2024.

The results also showed that non-oil activities are the main driver to the annual real GDP growth, contributing 2.8 percentage points. Additionally, government activities and net taxes on products contributed positively by 0.5 and 0.2 percentage points, respectively.

It is worth noting that most economic activities achieved positive annual growth rates. Wholesale and retail trade, restaurants, and hotels recorded the highest growth rates during the first quarter of 2025, reaching 8.4% year-on-year and 0.7% quarter-on-quarter.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) announced the official statistics for Hajj 1446H, reporting a total of (1,673.230) pilgrims. Of these, (1,506,576) pilgrims arrived from outside the Kingdom through various entry points, while (166,654) were citizens and residents pilgrims, including both Saudi citizens and residents. According to GASTAT’s statistical release, the number of male pilgrims, both internal and external, reached (877,841), while the number of female pilgrims totaled (795,389). GASTAT also revealed that a total of (1,435,017) pilgrims arrived in the Kingdom through airports, while (66,465) pilgrims entered via land border crossings, and (5,094) pilgrims arrived through seaports. 
It is worth noting that the General Authority for Statistics has relied on administrative records from the Ministry of Interior as the primary source for data and statistical indicators related to the Hajj season of 1446H / 2025. This approach aims to provide high-accuracy and reliable register-based data for Hajj statistics, using a standardized model that includes several key components. This methodology is a continuation of the statistical approach adopted over the past five years. 
As the Kingdom’s official statistical authority, GASTAT is the exclusive provider of official statistics in Saudi Arabia that is entrusted with overseeing all national statistical activities. Its responsibilities include providing technical supervision, conducting field surveys and research, performing data analysis, and managing the documentation, preservation, and tabulation of statistical information across all sectors of life in the Kingdom. 
On this occasion, His Excellency Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Aldossari, President of GASTAT, extended his sincere appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and to His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister, for their unwavering support and comprehensive care provided to the pilgrims. He also prayed to Allah Almighty to accept the pilgrims’ Hajj and to grant continued success to all government entities in delivering outstanding services.

To view the executive summary of Hajj statistics 1446 AH, please visit the following link:

https://www.stats.gov.sa/documents/d/guest/hajj-report-1446h-en-1-

The General Authority for Statistics has released today the monthly and quarterly International Merchandise Trade Statistics Publication for March and the Q1 of 2025. The publication highlights continued growth in non-oil exports. 
According to the report, non-oil exports (including re-exports) saw a significant rise of 13.4% in the Q1 of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. In March 2025 alone, they grew by 10.7% compared to March 2024. This growth highlights the increasing contribution of non-oil sectors to the kingdom's foreign trade.
However, total merchandise exports experienced a decline of 3.2% in Q1 2025 and 9.8% in March. On the other hand, merchandise imports increased by 7.3% in Q1 and 0.1% in March compared to the previous year. As a result, the trade surplus decreased by 28% in Q1 and 34.2% in March.
The publication also shows an improved ratio of non-oil exports to imports, reaching 36.2% in Q1 2025 (up from 34.3% in Q1 2024) and 36.5% in March (up from 33% in March 2024). This coincides with a decrease in the share of oil exports within total exports, which fell to 71.8% in Q1 2025 (from 75.9%) and to 71.2% in March (from 76.5%). Chemical products led the non-oil exports, accounting for 23.8% in Q1 and 25.7% in March 2025. Meanwhile, "machinery, electrical appliances, and their parts" were the largest imported goods, making up 25.8% in Q1 and 26.1% in March.
The publication indicated that the People’s Republic of China remained Saudi Arabia’s top trading partner. China accounted for 15.7% of the Kingdom’s total exports and 26.6% of total imports in Q1 2025. In March, China’s share stood at 15.5% of exports and 25.3% of imports. It is worth noting that the International Merchandise Trade Statistics are based on administrative records from the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority for non-oil data, and from the Ministry of Energy for oil data. Goods are classified according to the Harmonized System for describing and coding basic goods 2022.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) revealed that the digital economy’s share of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased to 15.6%, marking a 1.6% rise compared to 2022. This is according to the results of the 2023 Digital Economy Statistics Publication, issued today.
The publication indicated that imports of information and communications technology (ICT) goods recorded a notable increase, reaching SAR 54.9 billion in 2023 compared to SAR 45.8 billion in 2022, an increase of 19.9%. Conversely, exports and re-exports of the same technologies grew by 76.1%, rising from SAR 6.7 billion to SAR 11.8 billion during the same period.
The publication further highlighted that 71.6% of internet-connected establishments are leveraging smart devices or internet-enabled systems. These include advanced technologies such as smart alarm systems, smart meters, smart lighting, and surveillance cameras. 
From a financial perspective, the ICT sector reported substantial performance in 2023, with operating revenues reaching approximately SAR 236.4 billion. Operating expenditure stood at SAR 115.4 billion, while total employee compensation amounted to SAR 27.5 billion.
In terms of digital economy stratification, the core level, which comprises enterprises engaged in the direct production of ICT goods and services, contributed 2.6% to GDP. The narrow level, which includes businesses that depend primarily on digital inputs for their operations, accounted for 2.3%. Most notably, the broad level, representing entities that utilize digital technologies to substantially enhance their products and services, contributed 10.7%. 
It is worth noting that this survey is based on international standards outlined in the Handbook on Measuring Digital Economy Statistics issued by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), ensuring the international comparability of the indicators published by the Kingdom.