تنظم الهيئة العامة للإحصاء المنتدى السعودي الأول للإحصاء تحت شعار "إحصـاءات لفـرص مستدامـة" خلال الفترة من 27 إلى 28 إبريل 2025م في مدينة الرياض، بمشاركة عدد من أصحاب السمو والمعالي الوزراء ورؤساء وممثلي المنظمات الدولية والمكاتب الإحصائية لعدد من الدول والخبراء المحليين والدوليين وبحضور أكثر من 300 شخص من المهتمين بالعمل الإحصائي.
ويسلط المنتدى الضوء على عدد من المحاور ضمن 5 جلسات، وستناقش الجلسة الأولى "دور الإحصاء فـي رسـم السيـاسـات واتخاذ القرار"، كما تسلط الجلسة الثانية الضوء على المنهجيات والممارسات الإحصائية الدولية تليها الجلسة الثالثة حول الابتكار والتطوير في الأساليب الإحصائية وسيتحدث المشاركون في الجلسة الرابعة حول "دور القطاع الخـاص في دعم وإنتاج البيانات الإحصائيـة" أما الجلسة الأخيرة فستناقش "التكامل بين المؤسسات الإحصائية ومستخدمي البيانات.
يذكر أن المنتدى السعودي للإحصاء هو أول منتدى سعودي للإحصاء, يهدف إلى مناقشة مواضيع مهمة على الصعيد الإحصائي وبيان الأثر الإيجابي لقطاع الإحصاء في دعم مسيرة النهضة والتنمية المستدامة في المملكة وقياس مستوى التقدم في مؤشرات رؤية السعودية 2030 وترسيخ أهمية البيانات والإحصاءات في وعي أفراد المجتمع، وتدعو الهيئة المهتمين إلى التسجيل والاطلاع على مزيد من المعلومات حول المنتدى
عبر الموقع الإلكتروني: https://ssf.eventy.sa/?event_id=dhcimVphLIB1d4J3r9yJnA

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 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 January 2025.  According to the results of the publication, IPI recorded an increase of 1.3 % during January 2025 compared to the same month of 2024. The increase is driven by a rise in the activities of  manufacturing activity and water supply, sewage, and waste management and remediation activities.
The publication results showed a decrease in the sub-index for mining and quarrying activity by 0.4% on an annual basis, and an increase in the sub-index for manufacturing activity by 4 %. The sub-index for electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply activity recorded a decrease of 1.7 %, while the sub-index for water supply, sewage, and waste management and remediation activities recorded an increase of 12.8 %.

According to the main economic activities, the results indicated an increase in the index of oil activities in January 2025 by 0.4 %, while the index of non-oil activities recorded an increase of 3.6 % compared to the same month of the previous year.

It is noteworthy that the GASTAT issues IPI on a monthly basis, which is an economic indicator that reflects the relative changes in the volume of industrial production quantities based on data from the industrial production survey, which is implemented on a sample of industrial establishments operating in the targeted industrial activities. These are represented by the activities of mining and quarrying, manufacturing activity, electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supplies, in addition to the water supply, sewage, and waste management
 and remediation activities.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) issued today the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report and National Accounts Indicators for 2024 and the fourth quarter of 2024. According to the results of the publication, the real GDP achieved a growth rate of 1.3% in 2024 compared to the previous year. Non-Oil Activities and Government Activities grew by 4.3% and 2.6%, respectively, while Oil Activities saw a decline of 4.5%.
In terms of quarterly estimates, the real GDP achieved a growth of 4.5% in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the same quarter of the previous year. This growth is attributed to the increase across all economic activities, with Non-Oil Activities growing by 4.7%, Oil Activities growing by 3.4%, and Government Activities growing by 2.2% year-on-year.
In the same context, the results of the report stated that during the fourth quarter of 2024, seasonally adjusted real GDP grew by 0.5% compared to the third quarter of 2024.
It is worth noting that most economic activities achieved positive growth rates in 2024, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to achieve a prosperous economy. This reflects the success of the Vision's programs, legislative reforms, and the progress made in major projects and national strategies.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), participated in the 56th session of the United Nations Statistical Commission meeting held over four days in New York City, USA. This meeting included heads of official statistical agencies and their representatives from across the world . GASTAT’s involvement was in response to an invitation from the United Nations, aiming to highlight Saudi Arabia's preparations for hosting the sixth UN World Data Forum in Riyadh from November 9 to 12, 2026. The participation also focused on engaging in both internal and international discussions to align the forum's date with other events on the statistical and international calendar.
GASTAT’s delegation was led by Vice President Mr. Mohammed bin Abdullah Alrasheed. He commended the committee's high-level working group for its report on partnership, coordination, and capacity building in statistics to monitor the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and its strategic leadership in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. He also highlighted the role of GASTAT in strengthening business and trade statistics over the last three years.
On the sidelines of the meeting, GASTAT took part in the high-level group meeting and the side meeting of the UN Statistical Commission. During these meetings, GASTAT reaffirmed its commitment to the report of the Committee of Experts on Environmental-Economic Accounting and expressed support for the overall program of the commission's working groups and technical committees. Additionally, GASTAT welcomed participation in key initiatives, including topics related to the circular economy, biodiversity, sustainable tourism, and climate change.
It's noteworthy that the United Nations Preparatory Committee meeting is recognized as the most prominent statistical organizational framework worldwide. This committee is responsible for establishing international statistical standards and promoting the use of reliable data. It also develops statistical policies and addresses issues related to methodologies and data collection. Furthermore, it tracks the progress made in the indicators of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The United Nations Statistical Commission convenes its meetings annually in late February and early March in New York City, USA.

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.