The ninth meeting of the GCC Permanent Committee for Statistical Affairs was held today in Jeddah, chaired by Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Aldossari, the President of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) in Saudi Arabia. The meeting aimed to strengthen joint efforts among GCC member states in the field of statistics.

On the sidelines of the meeting, a joint workshop was organized to enhance performance in terms of the availability and exchange of statistical data among member states and to advance the implementation of the strategic statistical plan.

During the meeting, the committee members discussed several topics aimed at promoting cooperation among GCC countries to advance the statistical sector. They emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts to achieve strategic support and coordination in statistical activities. The agenda included a review of the progress in implementing recommendations from the previous meeting, continued study of statistical indicators to measure the implementation of Supreme Council decisions, and the importance of fostering knowledge development for staff in statistical agencies. The discussion also focused on enhancing skills, sharing expertise, activating joint cooperation mechanisms, and addressing global developments and common challenges facing statistical work across the GCC countries.

The Saudi Arabia Ministry of Economy and Planning (MEP) and the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance the use of data in the development of economic policies. The MOU establishes a framework for data and knowledge sharing between the two partners, as well as sharing enhanced statistical, scientific, and economic analysis. The agreement was signed by His Excellency Eng. Ammar Nagadi, the Vice Minister of Economy and Planning, and Dr. Fahad Aldossari, President of GASTAT. Commenting on the MOU, His Excellency Faisal Alibrahim, Minister of Economy and Planning and Chairman of GASTAT said “Both the Ministry and GASTAT are committed to supporting the public and private sector in achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. A deep understanding of our data is key to ensure we are pulling the right levers to drive the Kingdom’s economic diversification journey and facilitating economic growth for all.” Alibrahim added “This agreement is a key milestone in our strong, and essential, partnership. It will enable us to publish a range of statistics, indicators, and products to support and empower policy and decision makers as well as assist the public in understanding policy priorities.” Dr. Fahad Aldosari, President of the General Authority for Statistics, said: “This agreement consolidates the framework of cooperation between the Ministry and GASTAT and ensures we are delivering access to high-quality and reliable data on which future decisions for developing procedures and policies that will help us achieve the ambitions of the Saudi Vision 2030”. The MOU comes as part of the efforts of MEP and GASTAT to support the development of statistical work and provide a new statistical dimension in the Kingdom, by benefiting from scientific and knowledge expertise in a way that contributes to achieving the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030.

On Thursday September 29, 2022, the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) issued the Labor Market Publication for the second quarter of 2022, on its official website www.stats.gov.sa According to the Publication results, the Saudi unemployment rate has decreased to 9.7% in the second quarter of 2022, compared to 10.1% in the first quarter of 2022. The total unemployment rate (for Saudis and non-Saudis) has decreased to 5.8% in the second quarter, compared to 6.0% in the first quarter of 2022. The unemployment rate for Saudi females has also decreased in the second quarter of 2022, reaching 19.3% compared to 20.2% in the previous quarter, and the unemployment rate for Saudi males has decreased in the second quarter of 2022, reaching 4.7% compared to 5.1% in the previous quarter. The labor force indicators in the second quarter of 2022 showed an increase in the total labor force participation rate (for Saudis and non-Saudis) as it has reached 60.8% compared to 60.4% in the first quarter of 2022.The Saudi labor force participation rate has also increased in the second quarter of 2022, reaching 51.8% compared to 50.1% in the previous quarter. The Labor Market Publication results for the second quarter of 2022 indicated an increase in the labor force participation rate for Saudi females in the second quarter of 2022, reaching 35.6% compared to 33.6% in the previous quarter. The labor force participation rate for Saudi males has also increased in the second quarter of 2022, reaching 67.5% compared to 66.0% in the previous quarter. GASTAT indicated that the Labor Market Publication's results depend on a household survey conducted by GASTAT that falls under the classification of (social statistics). In this survey, the information is collected through a sample representing households from the administrative regions in Saudi Arabia, and an electronic questionnaire containing a number of questions. This survey provides estimates and indicators related to the labor force of the working-age population of the age group (15 years and over) who settle in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It also provides an estimate of the population (inside and outside the labor force), as well as calculating the most important labor market indicators, such as the unemployment rate, labor force participation rate, and others.