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Dr. Fahad Altekhaifi, Director of the Central Department of Statistics and Information, stated that the transformation into a “General Authority” will focus on two principal areas: serving clients and beneficiaries—which encompass all entities that utilize statistical products—and enhancing the quality of these products to more effectively support data-driven decision-making that benefits both citizens and residents.
Altekhaifi explained that the statistical sector, in its new institutional form represented by the Authority and associated statistical departments, will strive to establish effective partnerships across all sectors. The objective is to consolidate the source of official statistics and accelerate their dissemination through formats and services that enable users to leverage the information and maximize its impact.
Speaking during a workshop held yesterday at the Department’s headquarters in Riyadh, which brought together more than thirty officials and specialists from various public and private sector institutions, Altekhaifi emphasized that clients are at the core of the transformation initiative launched by the Department, aimed at establishing a high-caliber statistical authority aligned with international standards relevant to development.
Government and private sector stakeholders involved in statistical work affirmed that the ongoing transformation of Saudi Arabia’s statistical sector—spearheaded by the Central Department of Statistics and Information—is advancing rapidly and cohesively, keeping pace with the evolving demands of both national and global economies.
The workshop, organized by the Central Department of Statistics and Information, aimed to engage all beneficiaries and partners of statistical products in the transition toward the establishment of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), and to develop a unified vision regarding the Authority’s current and future strategic priorities.
The Department’s meeting halls witnessed a dynamic exchange of ideas and expertise, with the participation of representatives from the Ministries of Economy and Planning, Commerce, Labor, Housing, Civil Service, Social Affairs, Education, Health, Culture and Information, Water and Electricity, and Communications and Information Technology. Also in attendance were the General Investment Authority, the Saudi Export Development Authority, the General Commission for Audiovisual Media, the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority, the e-Government Program (Yesser), King Saud University, Saudi Aramco, and a number of independent Saudi consultants.

Dr. Fahad bin Suleiman Altekhaifi, Director General of the Central Department of Statistics and Information, affirmed that the contents of the speech delivered by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the outset of announcing the State’s General Budget for the fiscal year 1437/1438 AH outline a comprehensive framework for the future of the Kingdom and the effective and impactful management of its development. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s directives were clearly articulated and imbued with an ambitious vision for a more stable and prosperous tomorrow.
The economic and financial reform program introduced in the speech represents a pivotal qualitative step in the journey of construction and progress. Through this program, all state institutions will be able to respond positively to the requirements of the current phase. This year’s budget contains important details of a comprehensive and integrated action plan, with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud outlining its pillars as foundational elements for building a strong and resilient economy based on ten solid principles: diversification of income sources, growth of savings, job creation, effective public-private sector partnership, continuity in implementing development and service projects, comprehensive advancement of services, improved efficiency of public spending, enhanced resource utilization, reduction of waste, and increased competitiveness of the business sector.
These ten principles form the core agenda of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, as referenced by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in his speech. The Council has led the transformation process with distinction and will continue to lead the development efforts in the coming period, which will witness major shifts in the management of government projects.
This places an increased responsibility on the statistical sector to ensure the quality of statistical products, especially as we now stand at the threshold of a major transformation with the conversion of the Department into the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). This shift aims to align statistical, data, and informational outputs with the evolving demands of the next phase of development, as these outputs constitute the primary inputs for effective developmental planning and continuous improvement.
The Director General emphasized that the statistical sector has received significant attention from the wise leadership, in recognition of its vital contribution to the development of various social, administrative, educational, economic, health, environmental, agricultural, and industrial domains. He added: “My colleagues and I in the statistical sector will spare no effort in providing everything that contributes to the development and construction of this nation’s future to perpetuate the blessings of security and prosperity upon us.

The General Authority for Statistics released today the Renewable Energy Statistics Publication for the year 2024.The results of renewable energy statistics showed that five solar energy projects were operated in 2024, with a total capacity of 3,751 megawatts. By the end of 2024, the total number of operated renewable energy projects reached ten, nine of which were solar energy projects with a combined capacity of 6,151 megawatts, in addition to one wind energy project with a total capacity of 400 megawatts.
As of the end of 2024, the total investment volume in renewable energy projects reached approximately SAR 19.839 billion. This includes SAR 18.264 billion invested in solar energy projects and SAR 1.575 billion allocated to the wind energy project.
The results indicated that by the end of 2024, the number of housing units estimated to be supplied with electricity from renewable energy achieved approximately 1,140,800 housing units. 
The Shuaiiba 1 Solar Power project recorded the lowest Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) in the Kingdom at 3.9 Saudi Halala per kilowatt-hour, compared to (LCOE) of other renewable energy projects, which ranged between 3.9 to 11.18 Saudi Halalas per kilowatt-hour.
It is worth noting that the Renewable Energy Statistics Publication presents data on renewable energy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Ministry of Energy is the primary source of this data, which is available as a time series covering 2019–2024.
 

A detailed report on Hajj statistics featuring 40 key statistical outputs to be released following the official announcement
The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT): Final Count of Hajj Pilgrims for 1438 AH to Be Announced After Sunset on the Day of Arafah
 GASTAT has announced that the counting and enumeration of pilgrims for the 1438 AH Hajj season, through the official entry points to the city of Makkah, will conclude at 6:30 PM, coinciding with sunset on Thursday, the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah (Day of Arafah). The final announcement of the total number of pilgrims and the release of the detailed Hajj statistics report will follow a few hours later, the same evening.
Mr. Abdullah Al-Batel, Deputy President of the Authority for Statistical Operations, confirmed that the Hajj Statistics Report, which will be issued shortly after the official announcement, will include forty principal statistical outputs intended to support strategic planning for serving the pilgrims and visitors to the Two Holy Mosques. He explained that the report provides comprehensive and accurate data on the number of pilgrims, classified by their methods and dates of arrival, and includes a variety of analytical tables and charts presenting figures such as the number of domestic pilgrims by gender and arrival method, the arrival patterns of Saudi pilgrims, the breakdown of non-Saudi domestic pilgrims by gender and nationality, their distribution by arrival method and nationality, and comparative figures across different nationalities. The report also details the number of vehicles used to transport domestic pilgrims to Makkah, organized by vehicle type and date of arrival. Furthermore, it presents data on international pilgrims by gender and arrival method, by gender and date of arrival, as well as comparative statistics on their methods of arrival. This information will be made available in multiple formats, including the Hajj Statistical Map, which allows users to easily access all data related to Hajj statistics.
Mr. Al-Batel further emphasized that the Hajj Statistics Program, implemented by GASTAT, aims to provide detailed and reliable data on the number of pilgrims from both inside and outside the Kingdom. These statistics serve as a foundational input for all relevant government entities to support future planning and ensure the delivery of essential services to pilgrims, including those related to social, health, security, food, and transportation sectors. The program relies on time-series data to estimate the manpower required to serve pilgrims and ensure their safety and comfort throughout the Hajj season. It also provides essential insights into infrastructure and facility needs in Makkah and the Holy Sites, which are considered when preparing development plans. In addition, the program contributes to the design of annual traffic management plans, including the phases of escalation and dispersal, and supports researchers, academics, and stakeholders interested in this field. It also assists in evaluating the efforts of various entities responsible for serving pilgrims and monitoring changes in arrival patterns.
In response to inquiries regarding the scope of enumeration and whether it includes drivers of vehicles and buses, Mr. Al-Batel clarified that the official unit of counting in Hajj statistics is the pilgrim in the state of Ihram. Accordingly, the enumeration of domestic pilgrims is limited to those in Ihram who are physically counted at the Hajj Statistics Centers located at the entrances to the city of Makkah. If a driver is in a state of Ihram, he is counted as a pilgrim. The enumeration includes all Saudi and non-Saudi individuals, male and female, arriving from within the Kingdom to perform Hajj. As for international pilgrims, they are counted by the General Directorate of Passports at the Kingdom’s official ports of entry, and their figures are subsequently provided to GASTAT to be added to the total number of pilgrims.

The overall unemployment rate among the population is 5.8%, while the rate for Saudi citizens is 12.8%.
General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) spokesman: Unemployment rates are calculated according to international standards and are published through GASTAT’s official website and social media platforms.
In response to recent discussions regarding the unemployment rate among Saudi citizens, the accuracy of the published figure, and various interpretations attempting to estimate the unemployment rate, the official spokesman of GASTAT, Mr. Taiseer Al-Mufarrej, clarified that GASTAT has published the Labor Market Report for the third quarter of 2017 through its official website. The report provides comprehensive indicators on the labor market in the Kingdom based on two main sources. The first is actual estimates derived from the Labor Force Survey conducted quarterly by GASTAT. The second is administrative data obtained from relevant agencies including The Ministry of Labor and Social Development, the Ministry of Civil Service, the General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI), the Human Resources Development Fund, and the National Information Center (NIC).
The report, along with the main press release issued by GASTAT at the time, included both the overall unemployment rate for the total population and the unemployment rate specific to Saudi citizens. The results of the report for the third quarter of 2017 showed that the overall unemployment rate among the population was 5.8%, which represents a decrease compared to 6.0% in the second quarter. The unemployment rate for Saudi citizens remained unchanged at 12.8% in both the second and third quarters.
Regarding the incorrect interpretations of the unemployment rate that were observed, Al-Mufarrej stated that these interpretations revolve around two main issues. The first involves misreadings and assumptions regarding the actual unemployment rate and how it is calculated. In this regard, he emphasized that GASTAT adopts internationally recognized methodologies that are followed by global statistical organizations, in the same manner as other official statistical agencies around the world, in estimating unemployment rates. GASTAT publishes detailed breakdowns by gender, nationality, and administrative region. Therefore, any alternative method of estimating unemployment that does not follow these established standards is incorrect and should not be considered.
The second issue observed is the failure to distinguish between the overall unemployment rate for the total population and the unemployment rate specific to Saudi citizens. GASTAT has consistently published both figures since the initial launch of the Labor Force Survey, which later evolved into the Labor Market Report. Each rate reflects a distinct measurement. The overall rate represents the total population, including non-citizens, while the Saudi-specific rate excludes non-Saudis. It is also important to note that international organizations, when comparing unemployment levels between countries, rely on the overall unemployment rate that includes the total population.
Al-Mufarrej further confirmed that GASTAT provides various communication channels to respond to inquiries from interested parties and media professionals before publishing any interpretation, information, or clarification related to statistical indicators or data. He stressed that the lack of accuracy in some of the information circulated by the public or media may result from relying solely on news headlines without referring to the source or the full statistical report. This report is published in multiple formats on GASTAT’s official website and contains all the necessary details, data, survey methodologies, and international standards used in its preparation.

Coinciding with its participation in the Fifth International Conference on Disability and Rehabilitation, held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Fourth International Exhibition for Disability Equipment “Dhiaa 2018,” which was organized alongside the conference at the Disabled Children’s Association in Riyadh, the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) clarified that, based on the results of the 2017 Survey of Individuals with Disabilities among Saudi nationals, the prevalence rate of severe disability was 2.9 percent.
GASTAT indicated that visual difficulties were the most common among Saudis with a single disability, accounting for 46.02 percent, with severity levels distributed as follows: mild (67.8 percent), severe (28.5 percent), and extreme (3.7 percent).
In comparison, the most common difficulty among Saudis with multiple disabilities was mobility difficulty, accounting for 29.13 percent of individuals with multiple disabilities, with severity levels distributed as follows: mild (54.07 percent), severe (29.22 percent), and extreme (16.71 percent).
According to the survey results, the Riyadh region recorded the highest concentration of Saudis with disabilities among all regions, representing 25.13 percent of the total, while Najran region recorded the lowest, at 0.87 percent.
GASTAT also participated in the Fourth International Exhibition for Disability Equipment with a booth that showed the key findings from the disability survey. GASTAT delivered an introductory lecture on the survey, presented by Mr. Abdullah bin Zaid Aldaafs from the Department of Population and Vital Statistics, and also took part in the workshop on the National Disability Registry.

The annual inflation rate in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recorded relative stability at 2.3% in June 2025 compared to the same month of the previous year. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) also remained stable at 0.2% in June 2025 compared to May 2025 on a monthly basis.
In the same context, the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) recorded relative stability at 2.1% year-on-year, while it declined by 0.1% compared to May2025.
It is worth noting that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) reflects changes in consumer prices for a fixed basket of goods and services consisting of 490 items. The selection was based on the 2018 Household Expenditure and Income Survey. Price data was gathered through field visits to retail outlets, and CPI statistics were published monthly in the Kingdom

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with the Project Management Institute (PMI) in Saudi Arabia. Representing GASTAT, the MoC was signed by Mr. Rami bin Ahmed Ghurab, General Supervisor of Data and Partnerships and, Dr. Ibtisam Alqahtani, Vice President, represented PMI.

The MoC aims to enhance collaboration between the two entities, coordinate efforts in their respective fields, establish a general framework for joint activities and tasks, develop their institutional capabilities, and improve the efficiency and qualification of project management professionals through courses and training programs. Additionally, it seeks to foster integration between both parties to achieve their mutual objectives.

This initiative is part of GASTAT's efforts to strengthen its cooperation with various public and private sector institutions and entities. It also seeks to raise statistical awareness through effective local, regional, and international partnerships, keeping pace with current demands and realizing the future aspirations of the statistical sector.
 

Non-oil exports (including re-exports) increased by 6.0%, reaching SAR 31.1 billion in May 2025, compared to the same month last year. Meanwhile, the total value of merchandise exports stood at SAR 90.4 billion. Imports in May 2025 also rose, reaching SAR 80.9 billion, a 7.8% increase from May of the previous year, according to "International Merchandise Trade Statistics Publication for May 2025" issued by GASTAT.
The publication highlighted that " machinery, electrical equipment, and parts " were among the most significant non-oil exports, totaling SAR 7.4 billion and accounting for 23.7% of total non-oil exports. This category was also the largest imported goods, valued at SAR 24.0 billion, making up 29.7% of total imports. China is the Kingdom's primary partner in merchandise trade. Exports to China reached SAR 12.7 billion, representing 14.0% of total exports in May 2025, while imports from China amounted to SAR 23.4 billion, accounting for 28.9% of total imports in May 2025.
It's worth noting that international trade statistics are built on administrative records from Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (non-oil), and the Ministry of Energy (oil). Saudi Arabia's merchandise exports and imports are classified according to the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding Systems 2022.