GASTAT issued today, Wednesday, Muharram 12, 1444 AH, corresponding to August 10, 2022, the results of the Industrial Production Index (IPI) in June 2022, and published it on its official website www.stats.gov.sa  The publication results revealed the increase of IPI in June 2022 by 20.8% compared to June 2021. This was due to the increase in mining, quarrying and manufacturing activities. The results of the monthly publication showed an increase in the index of mining and quarrying activity in June 2022 by 19.2% compared to the same month of the previous year 2021. In June 2022, the manufacturing activity index increased by 29.3% compared to June 2021, and the electricity and gas supply activity decreased by 1.2% compared to the same month of the previous year in 2021. According to the publication results, the general index of industrial production in June 2022 increased by 1.0% compared to May 2022, affected by the increase in mining and quarrying activity, which appeared to be high by 1.0%. The electricity and gas supplies activity increased by 9.3%, while the manufacturing activity stabilized at the same level of production compared to the previous month. GASTAT issues a number of Industry-related statistical products, including the Industrial Production Index (IPI), which is an economic indicator that reflects relative changes and evolution in the volume of industrial production quantities based on the data of the industrial production survey. It is implemented monthly and targets industrial establishments operating in the targeted activities, which are mining and quarrying, manufacturing, and electricity and gas supply.

GASTAT revealed on Monday, Muharram 3, 1444, corresponding to August 1, 2022, the results of the real estate price index for the second quarter of 2022, and published it on its official website www.stats.gov.sa The publication results indicated a 0.7% increase in the general real estate price index for the second quarter of 2022, compared to the same quarter of the previous year 2021, mainly due to increase in residential real estate prices of +1.9%. According to the publication results, the increase in residential land prices largely affected the increase in real estate prices in the second quarter of 2022, compared to the second quarter of 2021. The residential sector recorded a 1.9% increase affected by a 0.2% increase in the residential land plots prices, on an annual basis in the second quarter of 2022, due to its high relative importance in the general index. Among other residential real estate prices, the prices of villas, apartments, and houses decreased by 1.1%, 1.1% and 0.9% respectively.  However, the prices of residential buildings stabilized and did not record any significant changes. The commercial sector recorded a 1.5% decrease, impacted by the decrease in the prices of commercial lands plots by 1.5%.  The prices of galleries also decreased by 1.1%, while the prices of commercial centers increased by 0.1%. On the other hand, the commercial buildings prices stabilized and did not record any significant changes. The agriculture sector decreased by 0.6% affected by the decrease in agriculture land prices by -0.6%. GASTAT is the only official statistical reference for statistical data and information in Saudi Arabia. It carries out all the statistical work, in addition to the technical oversight of the statistical sector. It also designs and implements field surveys, conducts statistical studies and researches, analyzes data and information, in addition to documenting and archiving all works of information and statistical data that cover all aspects of life in Saudi Arabia from its multiple sources. Data are written, classified, and analyzed; their indicators are extracted as well.

General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) issued on its official website www.stats.gov.sa today, Monday, Dhu al-Hijjah 26, 1443 AH, corresponding to July 25, 2022 AD, the International Trade Publication in Saudi Arabia for May 2022. Accordioning to the data contained in this publication, the value of merchandise exports in Saudi Arabia during May 2022 reached (144 billion riyals) one hundred and forty-four billion riyals, compared to (79 billion riyals) seventy-nine billion riyals May 2021, with an increase of (65 billion riyals) sixty-five billion riyals, a percentage of 83.4%. The publication results indicated that the value of oil exports during May 2022 reached (116 billion riyals) one hundred and sixteen billion riyals, compared to (57 billion riyals) fifty-seven billion riyals during May 2021, with an increase of (59 billion riyals) fifty-nine billion riyals, a percentage of 105.5%. According to the publication results, the value of non-oil exports (including re-exports) during May 2022 reached (28 billion riyals) twenty-eight billion riyals, compared to (22 billion riyals) twenty-two billion riyals during May 2021, with an increase of (6 billion riyals) six billion riyals, a percentage of 26.7%. The value of merchandise imports in Saudi Arabia during May 2022 reached (54 billion riyals) fifty-four billion riyals, compared to (44 billion riyals) forty-four billion riyals during May 2021, with an increase of (10 billion riyals) ten billion riyals, a percentage of 21.8%. GASTAT is the only official statistical reference for statistical data and information in Saudi Arabia. It carries out all the statistical work, in addition to the technical oversight of the statistical sector. It also designs and implements field surveys, conducts statistical studies and researches, analyzes data and information, in addition to documenting and archiving all works of information and statistical data that cover all aspects of life in Saudi Arabia from its multiple sources. Data are written, classified, and analyzed; their indicators are extracted as well.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) issued through its official website www.stats.gov.sa today, Sunday 25/12/1443 AH corresponding to 07/24/2022 AD, the Publication of the Household Sports Practice Survey for the year 2021 AD. According to the publication results, the percentage of adults who practice physical activity (15 years and over) increased for at least 150 minutes per week during the year 2021 at the level of all regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to reach 29.7% compared to only 20% during the year 2019. This increase indicates the high awareness of society towards the practice of sports and physical activity, and indicates the provision of the basic capabilities required to help increase the time of exercise to raise the quality of life for the Kingdom’s population, which represents one of the axes of the Saudi Vision 2030. The indicator of practicing physical activity for at least 30 minutes per week is one of the indicators of the Quality of Life Program of the Vision Program, and it aims to promote the practice of sports activities in the community. The publication results showed that 48.2% of the Kingdom’s population practice physical activity for at least 30 minutes per week, an increase of 3.2 points compared to 2019, where the percentage was 45%. The results also showed a significant difference between the percentages of males and females who practiced physical activity for at least 30 minutes per week, as the percentage of males was 54.8%, and the percentage of females was only 38.3%. On the other hand, the World Health Organization recommends practicing physical activity, and confirms that individuals should practice moderate-intensity physical activity for at least 150 minutes per week, high-intensity physical activity for at least 75 minutes per week, or a combination of both. According to the publication results, the percentage of the population who practice physical activity for at least 150 minutes per week in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reached 29.7%, an increase of 9.7 percentage points compared to 2019. The percentage of males who practice physical activity for at least 150 minutes per week was 36.1%, while the percentage of females was 20.3%. It is noteworthy that the publication results revealed a disparity between the regions of the Kingdom in terms of the percentages of adults who practice physical activity for at least 30 minutes per week, as the lowest percentage was 41.6% in Hail Region, while the highest percentage was 51.2% in the Eastern Region. The lowest percentage of adults who practice physical activity for at least 150 minutes per week was 24.3% in Al-Jouf Region, while the highest percentage was 32.9% in the Eastern Region. The publication results also showed that there is a gap between males and females who practice physical activity in different regions, where the lowest difference between males and females who practice physical activity for at least 30 minutes per week was in Hail Region which reached 12.6%, while the highest difference between males and females was in Tabuk Region which reached 20.1%. The results showed that the lowest difference between males and females who practice physical activity for at least 150 minutes per week was in Qassim Region with a percentage of 13.1%, and the highest difference was in the Northern Border Region, where it reached 18.9%.

General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) issued, through its official website www.stats.gov.sa today, Thursday, 24 Dhu al-Qa’dah 1443, corresponding to June 23, 2022, Saudi Arabia's International Trade Publication for April 2022.   The value of the Saudi Arabia's merchandise exports during April 2022 amounted to (137,119 million) one hundred thirty-seven billion one hundred nineteen million Riyals, compared to (69,252 million) sixty-nine billion two hundred fifty-two million Riyals during April 2021, with an increase of (67,867 million) sixty-seven billion eight hundred sixty-seven million Riyals, by (98.0%), according to the data of the publication. The value of oil exports during April 2022 was (109,750 million) one hundred nine billion seven hundred fifty million Riyals, compared to (49,214 million) forty-nine billion two hundred fourteen million Riyals during April 2021, with an increase of (60,536 million) sixty billion five hundred thirty-six million riyals, by (123.0%) , the results indicated. The value of non-oil exports during April 2022 registered (27,370 million) twenty seven billion three hundred seventy million Riyals, compared to (20,038 million) twenty billion thirty-eight million Riyals during April 2021, with an increase of (7.331 million) seven billion three hundred thirty-one million riyals, by  (36.6%), according to the results. While the value of the Saudi Arabia's merchandise imports during April 2022 amounted to (55,274 million) fifty-five billion two hundred seventy-four million Riyals, compared to (49,703 million) forty-nine billion seven hundred three million Riyals during April 2021, with an increase of (5,572 million), five one billion five hundred seventy two million Riyals, by  (11.2%).

GASTAT's Board of Directors, headed by His Excellency the Minister of Economy and Planning, Mr. Faisal bin Fadhil Al-Ibrahim, issued a decision to appoint Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Al-Dossari as GASTAT's President, starting from today, Sunday, to lead the work in GASTAT in order to achieve the goals of transformation in GASTAT, and to complete the development of the system Statistical work. His Excellency the Minister expressed his congratulations to Dr. Al-Dossari on this occasion, wishing him success in leading GASTAT and achieving its goals during the next critical period of the strategic transformation phase. On behalf of the members of the Board, the Minister expressed his thanks to Dr. Konrad Pesendorfer for his efforts during his presidency, and for his role in upgrading the work in GASTAT, developing its statistical products, leading the transformation project, overcoming the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 during the past two years, and  implementing the Saudi Census Program 2022, looking forward to continuing his efforts as an advisor to the Chairman of GASTAT's Board of Directors. Dr. Al-Dossari has held a number of leadership positions, the last of which was Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Saudi Arabia, which included the areas of systems analysis, economic research, and statistics. He also had a membership in many governmental and professional committees along with boards of directors of local and international funds and banks. GASTAT is the only official statistical reference for statistical data and information in Saudi Arabia. It carries out all the statistical work, in addition to the technical oversight of the statistical sector. It also designs and implements field surveys, conducts statistical studies and researches, analyzes data and information, in addition to documenting and archiving all works of information and statistical data that cover all aspects of life in Saudi Arabia from its multiple sources. Data are written, classified, and analyzed; their indicators are extracted as well.

GASTAT revealed on Monday, Muharram 3, 1444, corresponding to August 1, 2022, the results of the real estate price index for the second quarter of 2022, and published it on its official website www.stats.gov.sa The publication results indicated a 0.7% increase in the general real estate price index for the second quarter of 2022, compared to the same quarter of the previous year 2021, mainly due to increase in residential real estate prices of +1.9%. According to the publication results, the increase in residential land prices largely affected the increase in real estate prices in the second quarter of 2022, compared to the second quarter of 2021. The residential sector recorded a 1.9% increase affected by a 0.2% increase in the residential land plots prices, on an annual basis in the second quarter of 2022, due to its high relative importance in the general index. Among other residential real estate prices, the prices of villas, apartments, and houses decreased by 1.1%, 1.1% and 0.9% respectively.  However, the prices of residential buildings stabilized and did not record any significant changes. The commercial sector recorded a 1.5% decrease, impacted by the decrease in the prices of commercial lands plots by 1.5%.  The prices of galleries also decreased by 1.1%, while the prices of commercial centers increased by 0.1%. On the other hand, the commercial buildings prices stabilized and did not record any significant changes. The agriculture sector decreased by 0.6% affected by the decrease in agriculture land prices by -0.6%. GASTAT is the only official statistical reference for statistical data and information in Saudi Arabia. It carries out all the statistical work, in addition to the technical oversight of the statistical sector. It also designs and implements field surveys, conducts statistical studies and researches, analyzes data and information, in addition to documenting and archiving all works of information and statistical data that cover all aspects of life in Saudi Arabia from its multiple sources. Data are written, classified, and analyzed; their indicators are extracted as well.

His Excellency the Minister of Economy and Planning, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Statistics, His Excellency – Faisal Al-Ibrahim – has launched the data collection phase for the Saudi Census 2022. The date of Monday evening, 8th Shawwal 1443 H, which corresponds to May 9th, 2022, was approved by Royal Decree last September as the census day for the General Population and Housing Census for 1443 H. His Excellency expressed his sincere gratitude 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, Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister, for their kind guidance and their unlimited support for the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) to implement the Census. In his speech during the ceremony, which was held in Riyadh today, His Excellency praised the great efforts made by various government agencies in the Saudi Census 2022, contributing in various roles during its preparatory phases, and appreciating what their support and contribution in the coming phases. His Excellency Al-Ibrahim, referred to the transformation in the Kingdom under ‘Vision 2030’, pointing out that GASTAT provides accurate and reliable statistical data as a basic pillar for planning, development, creating economic and social policies, and developing plans for various sectors to achieve the Vision’s objectives and create a better future. He stressed that GASTAT conforms to the highest international standards and uses the latest techniques to issue statistical data, by integrating various administrative records, big data and statistical census information to provide accurate data. His Excellency explained that the Saudi Census 2022 is the first digital census in the history of the Kingdom, using a self-enumeration feature which allows heads of households to conveniently fill the census questionnaire on their own without the need for the census interviewer’s visit. In addition to self-enumeration, 30,000 census interviewers will visit households to collect information, all while upholding the highest levels of confidentiality. His Excellency also praised the wide participation of Saudi women in the Saudi Census 2022, whether through their leadership positions or by contributing in the field operation, stressing that it was an extension of the Kingdom’s approach to empowering women and increasing their contribution to the national economy. His Excellency Faisal Al-Ibrahim urged the Kingdom’s residents and citizens to participate in the census by completing its questionnaire through the various available options, considering it as a national duty, a societal responsibility, and an opportunity to build a better future for the Kingdom. The President of GASTAT, Dr. Konrad Pesendorfer clarified that the Saudi Census 2022 is the beginning of a new era of statistical knowledge in the Kingdom, describing it as an innovative digital census, and indicating that it will provide detailed information to help planners and policymakers. Dr. Pesendorfer pointed out that GASTAT is helping with the Kingdom’s developments by investing in its human capabilities, as well as following a new business model of producing high quality statistics by integrating data from multiple sources. The census project is a good example of implementing this new business model as big data sources like satellite images were used in the preparation of the census, just as well as administrative data before collecting data directly from households. He explained that the Authority had improved the quality of data of major statistical products and information provided to decision makers, exemplifying GDP figures that were available earlier than they used to be. He addressed several Saudi leaders who had worked on preparing for the Census, through a video in which they talked about the efforts made during the census operations and the roles they played. GASTAT prepared the Census project based on the best international practices as implemented in countries of the G20 and in member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), through collaboration with experts from the United Nations (UN) and various government agencies. The Authority is always keen to ensure the quality of data, by setting quality control procedures, as data is validated and processed during the data collection phase by a specialized quality control team, which communicates with a random sample of census participants to ensure the accuracy of the information. After completing the data collection phase, data analyzing will start to ensure its quality and accuracy, after which the preliminary results will be published before the end of 2022, and made available to decision-makers and researchers in the public and private sectors. This will be a record time to complete the analysis and data dissemination, while some countries take more than a full year to complete the analysis and publication process.