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Within the joint committee meetings events on the occasion of completing 55 years in the capital city Seoul  Saudi Arabia and South Korea Signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the Field of Statistics    Saudi Arabia and South Korea signed on Friday 7th of Safar 1439 H (27th of October 2017) in Seoul the capital city of South Korea a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cooperate in the field of statistics. It aims to establish a cooperation between the two countries in the field of statistics by exchanging administrative and technical experiences that are related to the work of official statistical entities. Moreover, the signing ceremony was held within the “Saudi-Korean” joint committee meetings events on the 26 and 27 of this October. These events were held in the capital city of Korea on the occasion of completing 55 years of relationship between The Kingdom and Korea. The memorandum was signed by his excellency the president of GaStat Dr.Fahad Bin Sulaiman AL-Tukhaifi from the Saudi side and by the official commissioner of the Korean statistics Mrs. Hwang Soo Kyeong from the Korean side. A number of the two countries officials have attended the ceremony. In addition, his excellency the president of GaStat Dr.Fahad Bin Sulaiman AL-Tukhaifi expressed in his speech for this occasion his thanks to the Korean side for the warm reception and gracious hospitality that the Saudi delegation had. He also assured on the deep cooperative relationship between the two countries since 55 years ago until now in a noticeable improvement. He said" we are here today and more than half century of relationship between our countries have passed where the relations have improved remarkably in different fields, in which the economic interests have gathered the experts of the two countries on the tables of the commercial cooperation. Additionally, the special political relationships between the two countries have attributed in the advancement towards cooperation fields that are more distinguished. Since the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Korea have agreed on establishing diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level on 16th of October 1962 until this day, the two countries are keeping a strong cooperative relationship as partners and they represent a special model for the West-East convergence”. Dr.AL-Tukhifi added that signing the statistical memorandum between the two countries came along with the new Saudi Vision 2030 where it opens wider horizons for cooperation. The statistical partnership is a qualitative partnership to transfer successful experiences and effective cooperation in the fields of statistical data and information which is considered the strongest cornerstone towards future. It is noteworthy to mention that the statistical memorandum between Saudi Arabia and south Korea includes points for cooperative work in developing technical mechanisms necessary for collecting and publishing statistics according to international standards, determining the fundamentals of statistical databases in different statistical fields, exchanging experiences concerning the necessary requirements for establishing an information central system that is linked automatically with all public entities [and their activation mechanisms], developing statistical work in governmental entities in addition to developing government statistical plans, policies, and mechanisms, exchanging statistical awareness programs and organizing joint seminars and workshops which discuss cooperation issues.

GaStat: Real Estate Index Decreased by (6.3%) compared to the previous year and stabilized compared to Second Quarter On Tuesday Safar 4th, 1439 (October 24th,2017), GaStat issued its quarterly indicator of the real estate price general index in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the third quarter (2017) and published it through its official website www.stats.gov.sa . This indicator is based on available registry data of the Ministry of Justice regarding real estate transactions. This indicator is an essential tool that supports entities which make economic and statistical decisions regarding the real estate price movements and future forecasts during different periods of time. The indicator includes three main sectors consisting of many real estate types: residential sector (piece of land, building, villa, apartment, and house), commercial sector (piece of land, building, shop, gallery and commercial centre), and agricultural sector which only includes agricultural land. The index of real estate prices for the third quarter 2017 recorded a relative stability compared to the previous quarter (second quarter 2017), reaching (84.9) in the third quarter 2017. The report attributed the stability of the real estate price index for the third quarter of 2017 to the varying percentage of change in the main sectors composing the indicator. The commercial sector witnessed a decline by (1.0%), the residential sector witnesses an increase by (0.2%), while the agricultural sector was stable without any relative change. The indicator recorded a decline of (6.3%) compared to the same quarter of the previous year (third quarter 2017). The report attributed this decline to the decline in the main sectors composing the indicator: the residential sector (7.9%), the commercial sector (10.9%) and the agricultural sector (1.0%).

Labor Market Bulletin Includes 67 Statistical indicators GaStat: The Saudi unemployment rate is 12.8% in the 2nd Quarter (2017)  The General authority for Statistics (GaStat) published the Labor Market Bulletin for the second quarter of 2017 on Sunday Muharram 11th,1439H (Corresponding to October 1st,2017) which provides comprehensive data and indicators on the labor market in the Kingdom from April 1st to June 30th, 2017 (Corresponding to Rajab 15th to Shawwal 6th, 1438H) to support decision and policy makers regarding labor force. It also contributes in building a database on the labor market in the Kingdom that can be used to prepare and plan future social and economic development programs. The quarterly bulletin includes 67 statistical indicators which contain data and indicators from the Labor Force Survey estimates and labor market data from the administrative records of the relevant entities (Ministry of Labor and Social Development, Ministry of Civil Service, General Organization for Social Insurance(GOSI), Human Resources Development Fund and National Information Center) applying international standards in this area. The results of the bulletin for the second quarter of 2017 indicated that the total number of employees from the data of administrative records in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reached (13,841,158) individuals compared to (13,889,137) for the first quarter of 2017.   According to the results of the bulletin also from the data of administrative records in the government agencies for the second quarter of 2017, the total number of Saudis seeking work reached (1,075,933) individuals, (216,352) of them are males and (859,581) are females. The results also showed that the highest percentage of Saudis seeking employment was among the age group (25-29), which is (34.2%). Also according to the results of the administrative records data, nearly half of the Saudi job seekers hold university degrees reaching (50.5%). The results of the bulletin showed that the unemployment rate in Saudi Arabia for the Saudi population (15 years and over) from the Labor Force Survey estimates for the second quarter 2017 reached (12.8%), (7.4%) are males and (33.1%) are females. And the unemployment rate in the Kingdom for the total population (15 years and over) is (6.0%), (3.3%) are males and (22.9%) are females. The results also showed that (11.6%) of the unemployed Saudis had previously worked, and (32.9%) of unemployed Saudis who had previously worked left their jobs due to dismissal from the employer. The survey results also showed that (9.6%) of unemployed Saudis have already been trained. Regarding the economic activity rate of total population (15 years and over) it reached (54.2%), divided between males (78.2%) and females (18.7%). In its bulletin, GaStat also explained that the economic activity rate for total Saudi population (15 years and over) reached (40.3%). The bulletin included a large number of detailed data on workers according to the regulations they are subject to, nationality, sex, age, administrative region and educational level, as well as data for job seekers, average monthly wages, working hours and domestic workers. For more details, you can view the bulletin through Gastat’s official website: www.stats.gov.sa

UN International Comparison Program board of directors holds second meeting Dr. Altekhaifi: KSA's distinctive work at statistics leads to council membership and participation in recurring meetings Saudi Arabia has participated at the second meeting of the board of directors of the International Comparison Program (ICP), which was held at Washington D.C. early this week.  His Excellency, president of the General Authority for Statistics, Dr. Fahad bin Sulaiman Altekhaifi, confirmed that the program’s work and results will help shape policies for global comparison to support statistical products of the participating countries. It will also enable the General Authority for Statistics to access the best global practices for statistics for the purpose of improving and developing the statistical work. Also, it will raise the quality of the data, which will reflect positively on the decisions for development that rely mainly on statistics. On the other hand, his excellency Dr. Altekhaifi pointed out that the board of directors, which has 11 countries including Saudi Arabia, which represents west Asia, has looked into the progress made when implementing the 2017 cycle in the participating areas. The council also specified a list of research topics including, implementing a rolling survey approach and building Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) time series, integrating ICP and Consumer Price Index (CPI) activities, Streamlining the process of establishing product lists and the use of importance indicators, improving the availability and quality of input data for rents, government services, and construction, streamline the use of productivity adjustments for government services, fine tuning global linking procedures, quality assurance of resulting PPPs and measures of reliability and other topics related to statistical work. Dr. Altekhaifi added that the ICP selecting of Saudi Arabia for the membership at the 2017-2019 cycle came as a result of the positive role of the General Authority for Statistics in different statistical programs organized by the UN. It also confirmed the kingdom’s effective role on the global map of statistics. Moreover, it reflects the results of the strategic transformation of the kingdom’s Statistic sector, which the leadership cares for and supports due to its role in aiding the national development decisions.  The ICP, which is under the supervision of the World Bank, is a partnership program for statistics on a global level. It is based on a statistical system that is connected with economic analysis. It uses statistical methods to derive the necessary data to calculate the PPP for about 200 countries and economies worldwide. It will facilitate the use of PPP as currency converters. That will allow for the comparison of the total economic indicators and the economic situations of countries worldwide. It is noteworthy to mention that the ICP board of directors is compiled of executives, chairpersons, and leading experts in 11 statistical devices participating in the program. They are distributed according to the regional areas: Africa, Asia, Pacific Islands, Latin America, the Caribbean, West Asia, Commonwealth of Independence States, European Union, non-European Union States, members of the organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, representatives of the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, UN Statistics Division, and the Inter-Agency Coordination Group.

Within the activities of the first GCC statistical forum 40 speakers from the gulf and other regions discuss enhancing statistical collaborations to support economic policies and development, next March GCC statistical forum, which will be held in Riyadh from 21st to 23rd of Jumada 2nd corresponding to 20th to 22nd of March 2017, is receiving 40 speakers from the gulf and other regions of the world, in addition to several people who are interested in statistics. They all will be gathering in a forum held for the first time under the theme "   enhancing statistical collaborations to support economic policies and sustainable development in the GCC region" under the patronage of the two holly mosques king Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and organized by the general authority for statistics and GCC statistical center.  The forum will gather many people who deal with statistics such as: data producers, data users, and the academic sector. They will discuss many main axes like: the request of statistical data and information that results from the national- developmental tracks, sustainable development agenda, and international economic issues. They will also discuss the provision of statistical data and services to support the national- developmental tracks and sustainable development in the GCC region. In addition to discussing the main theme which is enhancing statistical collaboration between data users and producers to support economic policies and sustainable development in the GCC region.  In details, the opening of this forum will be on the first day. Many politicians will attend such as ministers, GCC secretariat leaders, ambassadors, statistical organizations presidents, national and international organizations representatives, statisticians, media specialists, and other participants.  On the next day, the sessions will start with discussing the first axe which is about statistical data and information request: the request from an international prospective and focusing on the international issues and their impact on policies and reforms all over the world in general and in the gulf region in particular. In addition to data needs and gaps. The session will be headed by Mr. Abdulaziz Alfuraih, vice governorate of the Saudi Arabian monetary fund. Prof. many speakers will start on that day such as: Enrico Guvannini, economic statistics professor in Roma university, Italy, Mr. Paul Schreyer, vice director of statistics in OECD, Mr. Jose Roberto Rosales, deputy director of statistics department in IMF, and dr. Khalfan bin Mohammed Albarwani, vice executive president of banking operations, research, and statistics in Oman central bank.  As for the second session, it will be headed by dr. Johannes Jütting, director of Paris secretariat in the OECD. They will discuss request from a national and regional perspective. The participants in this session include: de. Salem bin Nasser Alqudhai'e, vice minister of economy and planning, Mrs. Faridah Abdulrahim Khanji, director of analysis and assessment department in the office of his highness the president of ministers' cabinet in Bahrain, ambassador. Ashok Nigam, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Khalifah bin Saeed Alabri, assistant general secretary of economic and developmental affairs in the GCC general secretariat. On the third day, the forum works continue with a session titles" producing and publishing statistics: the strategic motives of the national statistical entities' works". This session will be headed by ambassador. Mossa Kolaklikaya, general director of statistical, economic, and social research and training in the Islamic countries (Ankara center). The participants also include: Mr. Taiseer bin Mohammed Almofarrij, from the general authority for statistics in Saudi Arabia, Mr. Mohammed Hassan ahli, executive director of statistics and national data sector in the federal competitiveness and statistics authority, UAE, Mrs. Sawsan Dawood Allawati, general director of the information directory in the national statistics and information center, Oman, and dr. Rashoud bin Mohammed Alkhuraiyef, supervisor of demographic studies center in king Saud university.  After that, a general session about the third axe which is associated with collaborations will begin " next steps: towards sustainable mechanisms and framework for cooperation between users and producers" headed by Mr. Saber bin Saeed Alharbi, the general director of GCC statistical center, with the participation of the forum workshops heads to discuss the workshops results and recommendations according to the forum three axes: data request, producing and publishing data, and collaborations between statistics users and producers. At last, a final session will start to announce the forum recommendations.  Along with the forum activities, 6 workshops will be held: the first will discuss measuring the progress in achieving sustainable development goals, the second is about enhancing statistical knowledge. As for the third, it will be about the statistical media. In the fourth workshop, the participants will get to know the mechanisms of statistics development by using information and communication technologies. However, the fifth will discuss data revolution which will present cooperation between Arab countries to get benefited from data revolution in enhancing the production and publishing of statistics. After that, two presentations will be presented by one of the GCC countries and the GCC statistical center about the preparations and challenges. Regarding the last workshop, it will discuss the collaborations between the public and private sectors in the field of statistics.  At the end of the forum works, a session will be held and headed by dr. Fahad bin Sulaiman Altekhaifi, GaStat president. In this session, the forum recommendations will be announced regarding enhancing collaborations between statistical data and information producers and users on the national and regional levels. Then, a concluding speech will be delivered by GCC statistical center and the general authority for statistics.

Gathering 40 gulf and international speakers, discussion sessions and workshops  For the first time… the launching of the GCC Statistical Forum in Riyadh.. the end of this month Sabir Al Harbi: the patronage of King Salman confirms his interest in reinforcing GCC joint work Hessa AlJanahi: the meeting of data producers and users will contribute in building sustainable frameworks and mechanisms for cooperation The Director General of the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-Stat), Mr. Sabir bin Said Al Harbi, affirmed that the patronage of the Custodian of the Two holy Mosques of the first statistical forum which will be held later this month confirms his interest in reinforcing GCC joint work, enabling the cooperation in the development and economy files, and linking and coordinating between GCC countries in all fields. Mr. Al Harbi stressed on the importance of the forum which will be held for the first time, gathering 40 gulf and international speakers with data producers, data users, and the academic sector. They will discuss many main axes like: the request of statistical data and information that results from the national- developmental tracks, sustainable development agenda, and international economic issues. They will also discuss the provision of statistical data and services to support the national- developmental tracks and sustainable development in the GCC region. In addition to discussing the main theme which is enhancing statistical collaboration between data users and producers to support economic policies and sustainable development in the GCC region.  The forum will be under the theme "   enhancing statistical collaborations to support economic policies and sustainable development in the GCC region" under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holly Mosques king Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and organized by the general authority for statistics and GCC- Stat. The Director General of GCC-Stat pointed that the forum comes in a time when current global political and economic developments forms a challenge in the Gulf Region, which leads us to guard by precise economic development trends that fit global changes, especially statistical wise. This appears in the importance of the existence of good, reliable, classified and timely data that measures the progress towards achieving economic growth and diversifying its sources. On the other hand, the GCC-Stat consultant, Mrs. Hessa AlJanahi, said that the forum is considered one of the manifestations of GCC governments interest to building sound national statistics derived from strategic motivations that serve the goals of 2030 sustainable development.  Mrs. AlJanahi predicted that the meeting of data producers, data users and relevant sectors will contribute in building sustainable frameworks and mechanisms for cooperation and creating strong collaborations in order to bridge the gap between statistics producers, including, statistical systems and statistics users from government and public entities, academics, researchers, or other users. The forum will start with the opening on the first day. Many politicians will attend such as ministers, GCC secretariat leaders, ambassadors, statistical organizations presidents, national and international organizations representatives, statisticians, media specialists, and other participants.  In the next two days, the sessions will start with discussing the first axe which is about statistical data and information request: the request from an international prospective and focusing on the international issues and their impact on policies and reforms all over the world in general and in the gulf region in particular. In addition to data needs and gaps, it will also discuss request from a national and regional perspective, a general session titles" producing and publishing statistics: the strategic motives of the national statistical entities' works", followed by  a general session about the third axe which is associated with collaborations " next steps: towards sustainable mechanisms and framework for cooperation between users and producers". Along with the forum activities, 6 workshops will be held: the first will discuss measuring the progress in achieving sustainable development goals, the second is about enhancing statistical knowledge. As for the third, it will be about the statistical media. In the fourth workshop, the participants will get to know the mechanisms of statistics development by using information and communication technologies. However, the fifth will discuss data revolution which will present cooperation between Arab countries to get benefited from data revolution in enhancing the production and publishing of statistics. After that, two presentations will be presented by one of the GCC countries and the GCC statistical center about the preparations and challenges. Regarding the last workshop, it will discuss the collaborations between the public and private sectors in the field of statistics. Statistical sector interested individuals can register to attend the forum events by visiting the website through the link: https://www.stats.gov.sa/gccsf/en

announcing (6) new economic surveys to support development Collaboration between GsStat and the private sector to develop statistical work GaStat revealed new economic surveys to be implemented this year and next year. These surveys aim at fulfilling the development needs, they include: insurance activity survey, direct foreign investment survey, intermediate and small establishments survey, retail activity survey, non-profit sector survey, and tourism survey.  This was mentioned in the second workshop held by GaStat yesterday (Monday) 13th February 2017 in Jeddah. HE dr. Fahad bin Sulaiman Altekhaifi, GaStat president, said that the private sector is an essential partner in the national development. He added, it integrates all public sectors and institutions in a way that strengthens the national economy. The collaboration between "statistics" and the private sector is part of the developmental movements which aim at achieving the 2030 Saudi vision and representing that with indicators that reflect the progress in the achievement of this vision. The role of GaStat, statistical national commission, and the statistical sector in general became more important now as the need for accurate statistical data, effective indicators, and measurement tools increased. Dr. Fahad indicated that one of the most important stages that GaStat works on these days is meeting the clients' needs whether from the public or private sector. It also works on establishing effective collaborations locally, nationally, and internationally with related parties. In addition to creating indicators necessary for current and future needs. GaStat works with its partners on unifying the information sources, facilitating their access, and providing innovative statistical products with international standards.   On the other hand, Mrs. Kholoud Aldakhail, the national statistical commission chairman, stated that the commission was established under the umbrella of the council of Saudi chambers based on the Saudi chambers board resolution number 13 /88/m issued in 15/6/1437 H as response to the ministry of economy and planning and GaStat request. This reflects GaStat initiative to make the private sector a collaborative sector. She asserted that the role of this committee, which include 23 members who work in the field of statistics, data, and information, is represented in the coordination with Saudi chambers of commerce all over Saudi Arabia. The coordination will be about statistical work activation, data exchange, and proposing methods to enhance the statistical work impacts on the private sector. Furthermore, it deals with elaborating the use of statistics in private sector, deepen relations between GaStat and Saudi chambers of commerce.  The workshop discussed two main themes; the requirements of data users in the private sector as one of the statistical sector components, determining required additional data by activity, and the proposed methods to develop the mechanism of data collection from the private sector institutions. GaStat has presented the economic surveys and the new surveys that will be implemented by them during these two years. They also presented the six tracks based on which the authority work which can be summarized in; a work strategy about the authority clients and partners to fulfill the actual need of statistical products, then developing these products and services and improving the statistical operations and methodologies. Also, raising the level of information technology and digital infrastructure to enable products to start from a strong base that can be adapted with any change. Moreover, focusing on raising statistical awareness, and building capabilities in the statistical field. In addition to structuring all GaStat tasks and departments.  At the end of the workshop, dr. Fahad expressed his thanks to all the participants. He asserted that the workshop outputs will contribute in enhancing the effectiveness of the decisions made by the private sector and its policy makers for the citizen's advantage and society economies which enhance his role in the domestic product growth, and guarantee making proper decisions based on accurate data to facilitate measuring their result and reflections.

Minister of economy launches the general authority for statistics and its electronic portal The authority of statistics signs 4 agreements with private and public sectors Media center- Riyadh Minister of economy and planning, chairman of the general authority for statistics, Eng. Adel bin Mohammed Faqeeh, launched the first day of working in the statistical field with a new structure and identity. This was an implementation of the supreme decree issued on 26-12-1536 H which states transforming the central department of statistics to be a general authority called ( the general authority for statistics). The authority is financially and administratively independent. In his speech that was declared in the launching event which was held in Marriot hotel, the minister expressed his gratitude and thanks to the custodian of the two holly mosques, king Salman bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, may God protect him, for his approval to transform the central department of statistics to be an independent authority. He confirmed that the work will start officially in the general authority for statistics as a result of many supreme directives, orders, and resolutions that support and enhance a lot of governmental sectors by transforming them into independent authorities that provide services compatible with the rapid changes and developments. On his part, the authority's general director, dr. Fahad bin Sulaiman Altukhaifi, in his name and on behalf of all the staff of the central department of statistics , and all those who work in the statistical sector , he expressed his gratitude and thanks to the custodian of the two holy mosques for his supreme approval to transform the central department of statistics to a general authority. Dr.Fahad said that this transformation process has been done through six fundamental tracks which can be briefed in a working strategy that is all about the authority’s clients and partners to fulfill the actual need of statistical products, then developing these products and services and improving statistical and data methodologies and procedures. In addition, it focuses on upgrading the level of information technologies and digital infrastructure in order to give the products the ability to start from a very tough base that can cope with all technological changes. It also concentrate on raising awareness and literacy in the statistical field, and finally structuring the authority’s different tasks and departments. He assured that the general authority for statistics’ role has become more important as long as there are national transformation projects as it is very crucial to provide accurate statistical data and effective indicators besides developing the measurement tools. On the first working day and after the transformation process, the authority’s general director has announced that the first of Muharram of the next year will be the day in which the information bank will be issued. This bank is one of the statistical development national strategy’ aspects, which aim to organize statistical data and information in Saudi Arabia, to guarantee providing the governmental sectors and individuals with statistical information and indicators through an easy and accurate technique. This is to support the development decisions via collaborative system, which starts with electronic linking between all data resources in many related sectors. Furthermore, minister of economy and planning Eng. Adel bin Mohammed Faqeeh has launched the electronic portal of the general authority for statistics. In this portal, the users can get all the needed information in very easy and direct ways through many windows and according to the international statistical and technical standards. On the first working day, four agreements have been signed with different private and public sectors. The authority has signed two agreements with the national information center in the interior ministry and e-government program (yesser). These agreements have been signed to develop the techniques of collecting, exchanging, and integrating data. The third agreement has been signed with the national center for communication, aiming to develop the mechanisms of communication with disabled people. It also aims to provide statistical content in sign language. On the other hand, the central department of statistics and information ex-directors and retired employees were honored. After the launching event, the authority held an introducing workshop with many partners from both the private and public sectors. This workshop aimed to introduce the authority and its roles. The participants watched a detailed presentation about the products and services in addition to the interactive statistics window and a brief of the statistical awareness. The minister of economy and planning revealed that the statistical sector partnership with the private and public sectors will open many opportunities for the statistical sector to be constantly developed and improved in order to be able to effectively collaborate in supporting any developmental decision taken by any private or public sector in all fields of national development. It is worth mentioning that the ministers’ council resolution issued on 13/1/1437 H included the approval of general authority for statistics structure, and made it the only authorized entity that technically and structurally supervise the statistics sector. It also made it the only responsible authority for creating thorough national statistical databases in different fields. Moreover, it made it the only responsible entity for managing the authority affairs and creating its own board of directors

"Statistics" worked on six tracks in 90 days Four Days and the Statistical Sector will Start a New Era Media Center The Saudi statistical data and information sector is starting a new era after declaring the changing of the central department of statistics to be an authority named" the general authority for statistics". This transforming will start officially on Wednesday 1st of jamad first. Director of media and statistical awareness department and the spokesman of the authority, Taiseer Almufarij states that working under the umbrella of the general authority for statistics is considered an implementation of the supreme decree number ( 64283) in 26/12/1436 H which declares transforming the central department of statistics to be a general authority called the general authority for statistics. This authority is financially and administratively independent. The supreme decree gave ninety days for the transforming process. The countdown is about to finish now and this Wednesday will be the first official day to work under the new name. Almufarij confirmed that this transforming is not only about changing the name or identity, but changing content, techniques, and mechanisms as the statistical sector must cope with all the rapid changes around it otherwise it cannot go farther.  With the increase of commercial transactions, international investments, social and economic changes, mass data revolution , and the development of digital media and portable technologies, it has been a need for the statistical work to go through a vital transforming process in order to satisfy the clients and fulfill their needs which require the authority to establish a mutual partnerships, estimate their current and future needs, unify the information sources, facilitate access to this sources, and provide more advanced statistical products. Almufarij said that the general authority for statistics is undergoing a transforming plan that has six major tracks: concentration on the client strategy, developing products and services, enhancing methodologies and procedures, upgrading information technologies and infrastructure, statistical literacy and building competences, and structuring all the authority's different tasks and departments in order to keep developing the authority and making it a distinct institution. It is worth mentioning that the Saudi statistical work has started in a very early era of the Saudi development history. It has started in 1349H /1930 AD and continued for thirty years till the issuance of the general statistics system in royal decree number (23) which made the statistical work a sector that refers technically and administratively back to an official system that cooperated in organizing the statistical sector by setting the rules of relation between the central department as it is the only central department for statistics and the other sectors. This system aimed to activate the statistical work and make it more comprehensive, and raise statistical awareness. During the last fifty eight years, the department worked on many surveys, censuses, and indicators in many different fields in Saudi Arabia.