The President of the General Authority for Statistics, Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Aldossari, extended his congratulations to the members of the Statistical Center for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC-Stat) on Gulf Statistics Day, which falls on Tuesday, December 24, 2024. He commended the center's role in promoting statistical work and supporting national statistical and planning agencies in the GCC countries. Dr. Aldossari emphasized the importance of precise statistical data and indicators provided by statistical agencies, which play a vital role in supporting decision-makers and policymakers to make informed decisions and build successful national development policies.
Dr. Aldossari highlighted that statistical work is one of the fundamental pillars that contribute to enhancing strategic plans in GCC countries and achieving their sustainable development goals. This is due to the accurate statistical data, information, and indicators it provides, which aid in policy formulation and the analysis of indicators to achieve shared visions.
He further explained that by developing statistical work, overcoming its challenges, and removing obstacles, it is possible to provide a wealth of accurate data and statistical indicators. These resources enable the measurement of progress toward achieving future visions and contribute to the economic and developmental integration that the GCC countries aspire to achieve.
هنَّأ رئيس الهيئة العامة للإحصاء الدكتور فهد بن عبد الله الدوسري أعضاء المركز الإحصائي لدول مجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربي بمناسبة يوم الإحصاء الخليجي الذي يوافق يوم الثلاثاء 24 ديسمبر 2024م مثمِّنًا دور المركز في تعزيز العمل الإحصائي ودعم أجهزة الإحصاء الوطنية وأجهزة التخطيط في دول المجلس، مؤكدًا أهمية البيانات والمؤشرات الإحصائية الدقيقة التي تقدمها الأجهزة الإحصائية؛ إذ تلعب دورًا بارزًا في دعم صناع القرار وراسمي السياسات لاتخاذ القرارات الصحيحة وبناء السياسات التنموية الوطنية الناجحة.
It is noteworthy that the Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), during its 141st session held in Manama, Bahrain, on November 24, 2016, approved the designation of an annual Gulf Statistics Day. The significance of this day lies in emphasizing the community's partnership with statisticians and shedding light on the vital role that statistics play in achieving sustainable development in the GCC. Furthermore, it highlights the strategic role of the Gulf statistical system in decision-making and the formulation of developmental policies in the region.
وأكَّد الدكتور الدوسري على أن العمل الإحصائي هو من الدعائم والركائز الأساسية التي تساهم في تعزيز الخطط الاستراتيجية في دول مجلس التعاون الخليجي وتحقيق خطط التنمية المستدامة فيها؛ وذلك نظرًا لما يوفره من بيانات ومعلومات ومؤشرات إحصائية دقيقة تساعد في رسم السياسات وقراءة المؤشرات لتحقيق الرؤى المشتركة.
Saudi Arabia, as the first GCC country to implement a statistical system in 1349H (1930), recognized early on the importance of statistics and information as a cornerstone for building and development. This foundational approach supports any aspiring country seeking progress on solid and strong bases. The General Authority for Statistics joins other statistical agencies in the GCC in celebrating this year's Gulf Statistics Day under the theme: "The Future of Statistics Towards Sustainable Gulf Development."
وأوضح الدكتور الدوسري أنه من خلال تطوير العمل الإحصائي والتغلب على التحديات التي تواجهه وإزالة العقبات والصعوبات التي تعترض طريقه، يمكن توفير الكثير من البيانات الدقيقة والمؤشرات الإحصائية التي تمكِّن من قياس التقدم نحو تحقيق الرؤى المستقبلية، وتسهم في تحقيق التكامل الاقتصادي والتنموي الذي تطمح إلى تحقيقه دول مجلس التعاون الخليجي العربي.
هذا وقد أعرب رئيس الهيئة العامة للإحصاء عن تطلع المملكة إلى تعزيز العمل الإحصائي الخليجي والتعاون الاستراتيجي في شتى المجالات الإحصائية، والتنسيق الدائم بين دول مجلس التعاون الخليجي العربي لدفع عجلة الاقتصاد وتعزيز بناء قاعدة اقتصادية صلبة بجودة بيانات ومعلومات إحصائية عالية تمثل مصدرًا رئيسًا موثوقًا يُرجع إليه عند اتخاذ القرارات المهمة في دول المجلس لتحقيق المزيد من النهضة والنمو الاقتصادي والرخاء لشعوب دول المجلس.
ومن الجدير بالذكر أن المجلس الوزاري لمجلس التعاون لدول الخليج العربية الذي عقد في المنامة بمملكة البحرين في الرابع والعشرين من شهر نوفمبر عام 2016م قد اعتمد في دورته الـ (141) تخصيصَ يومٍ للإحصاء الخليجي من كل عام، وتتمثَّل أهمية ذلك اليوم في التأكيد على شراكة المجتمع بكل فئاته مع الإحصائيين، وتسليط الضوء على الدور الحيوي الذي يقوم به الإحصاء في تحقيق التنمية المستدامة لدول المجلس، كما يُبيّن الدور الاستراتيجي الذي تضطلع به المنظومة الإحصائية الخليجية في اتخاذ القرارات وبناء السياسات التنموية بالمنطقة.
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GASTAT 99.6% of individuals aged 15-74 use the internet in the Kingdom in 2026
01-11-2026
The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released the results of the ICT Access and Usage Statistics by Households and Individuals 2026 survey, which showed that 99.6% of individuals aged 15–74 use the Internet. The percentage reached 99.8% among Saudi males, compared to 99.5% among Saudi females. The 15–24 age group recorded the highest Internet usage percentage among all age groups, at 99.9% of its total population.
Results also indicated that 99.3% of individuals use the Internet at home, while 98.0% use it at least once a day. Regarding the devices used to access the Internet, mobile phone usage reached 98.4%, compared to 13.9% for laptops and 12.3% for tablets.
Participation in social networking platforms ranked first among Internet usage activities, accounting for 99.7% of all Internet users, with equal percentages among males and females. This is followed by seeking information about goods and services, at 65.4%. The results also showed that 87.8% of Internet users watch video content online, while 55.2% listen to audio content. Meanwhile, 19.4% of Internet users use the Internet to play games.
Regarding e-government services, the percentage of individuals accessing government services online reached 98.4%. The percentage among Saudis stood at 98.6%, reaching 98.9% among males, compared to 98.4% among females. Accessing electronic government forms ranked first among the services used, accounting for 89.0% of all individuals accessing government services online.
In terms of e-commerce, 74.5% of all Internet users purchase goods and services online. The percentage among Saudis reached 84.9%, at 86.8% among Saudi females, compared to 83.1% among Saudi males. Clothing, footwear, sports goods, household goods, and other items topped the list of online purchases, accounting for 85.2%, followed by food, groceries, or tobacco at 54.4%, while purchases of books, magazines, and newspapers accounted for 22.8%.
It is worth noting that GASTAT produces its statistics in accordance with a unified methodology aligned with procedures adopted by international organizations. This enables international comparability of indicators and meets the requirements of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) indicators.
GASTAT: Operating revenues of the business sector grow by 2.3% in 2025
01-11-2026
The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released the Structural Business Statistics 2025 results, which showed that the business sector's operating revenues increased by 2.3% compared to the previous year, reaching SAR 5,628 billion.
Results also showed that compensation of employees increased by 6.0%, reaching SAR 624.1 billion. Of this total, SAR 528.9 billion was allocated to salaries and wages, accounting for 84.8% of total compensation, while SAR 95.1 billion was allocated to benefits and allowances, representing 15.2%. Total gross fixed capital formation reached SAR 992 billion, recording a growth of 0.4%, while the gross operating surplus amounted to SAR 2,542 billion, decreasing by 0.1%.
It is worth noting that Structural Business Statistics provide detailed indicators on the structure of economic activities in the Kingdom, covering operating revenues and expenditures, as well as compensation of employees. The data are classified according to the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC4).
GASTAT Updates the Methodology for Calculating WPI
14-10-2026
The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) updated the methodology for calculating the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) in Saudi Arabia as part of its efforts to develop price statistics, keep pace with economic developments and changes, and apply relevant international statistical practices and standards.
The updated methodology includes several improvements, including updating the reference year and relative weights, enhancing geographical coverage, updating and expanding the basket of goods, increasing the number of pricing points and price quotations, and updating the classification used. These improvements enhance the comprehensiveness of the index and its representativeness of wholesale markets in Saudi Arabia.
GASTAT has adopted 2023 as the new reference year for the index, replacing the previous reference year of 2014. The relative weights of the index items have also been revised based on the 2023 Supply and Use Tables, import values, and agricultural census data. Furthermore, an annual chain-linking methodology has been introduced, enabling the relative weights to be updated each year to reflect the relative importance of domestic and imported goods included in the index basket and considering developments in the structure of goods traded in wholesale markets.
The updated methodology also expands the basket of goods from 343 to 554 items and introduces a revised product classification system. In addition, the number of cities covered by the index has increased from 3 to 23, ensuring coverage of all 13 administrative regions of Saudi Arabia. These changes were accompanied by updates to the sample design and the sampling frame of pricing points, as well as the use of geospatial technologies and data to distribute the covered pricing points.
It is worth noting that the WPI is a periodic statistical product among the economic statistics published monthly by GASTAT. The results will be published tomorrow, Thursday, in accordance with the updated methodology.
GASTAT 59.9% of adults in Saudi Arabia engage in physical activity for 150 minutes or more per week
22-10-2026
The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released its Physical Activity Statistics Publication for 2026, which showed that 59.9% of Saudi Arabia's adult population (aged 18 years and above) engage in physical activity for 150 minutes or more per week. The percentage reached 63.4% among males, compared to 52.9% among females. The age group (18–29 years) ranked first at 63.0%, while individuals aged 80 years and above recorded the lowest percentage at 13.4%.
In terms of physical activity types, recreational physical activity ranked first among physically active individuals at 64.7%, followed by physical activity while commuting to and from places at 52.4%, and physical activity at work at 40.8%. The average daily time adults spent sitting or reclining, excluding sleep, was 340 minutes, with 363 minutes among females compared to 329 minutes among males.
Regarding children and adolescents (aged 5–17 years), the results showed that 20.3% engage in physical activity for 60 minutes or more per day, with the percentage reaching 27.1% among males, compared to 13.3% among females. The results also showed that 33.8% of children and adolescents spend one hour to less than two hours per day sitting or engaging in sedentary activities, such as watching television or using electronic devices, excluding time spent at school.
It is noteworthy that the 2026 Physical Activity Statistics Publication presents physical activity indicators for adults (aged 18 years and above) and children and adolescents (aged 5–17 years) in Saudi Arabia, based on the results of the National Health Survey and the Woman and Child Health Survey. Its estimates are based on self-reported data provided by individuals or caregivers.
الإحصاء: تختتم النسخة الثالثة من مسابقة المعرفة الإحصائية بمشاركة أكثر من 1.82 مليون طالب وطالبة
25-10-2026
اختتمت الهيئة العامة للإحصاء بالتعاون مع وزارة التعليم أعمال النسخة الثالثة من مسابقة المعرفة الإحصائية التي استهدفت طلاب وطالبات الصفوف العليا من المرحلة الابتدائية، إضافة إلى طلاب وطالبات المرحلتين المتوسطة والثانوية في مختلف مناطق المملكة، وذلك في إطار الجهود المشتركة نحو تعزيز الثقافة الإحصائية لدى النشء وتنمية مهاراتهم في فهم البيانات والمؤشرات الإحصائية والتعامل معها من مصادرها الموثوقة.
وأظهرت النتائج الختامية للمسابقة مشاركة 1,822,143 طالبًا وطالبة من مختلف المراحل التعليمية المستهدفة، بواقع (1,202,222) طالبة و619,921 طالبًا، بما يعكس حجم التفاعل مع المسابقة.
وبيّنت النتائج أن إجمالي عدد المشاركين من طلاب وطالبات الصفوف العليا من المرحلة الابتدائية بلغ 702,073 مشاركًا ومشاركة، فيما بلغ عدد المشاركين من المرحلة المتوسطة 510,361 مشاركًا ومشاركة، وبلغ عدد المشاركين من المرحلة الثانوية 609,709 مشاركين ومشاركات.
وسجلت منطقة مكة المكرمة أعلى نسبة مشاركة للطلاب والطالبات في المسابقة بين الإدارات التعليمية بواقع 68.4%، تلتها منطقة القصيم بنسبة 60.3%، ثم منطقة حائل بنسبة 41.9%، ومنطقة نجران بنسبة 40.7%، فيما جاءت محافظة الطائف في المرتبة الخامسة بنسبة مشاركة بلغت 35.5%
والجدير بالذكر أن النسخة الثالثة من مسابقة المعرفة الإحصائية تأتي امتدادًا للشراكة الاستراتيجية بين الهيئة العامة للإحصاء ووزارة التعليم، الهادفة إلى رفع مستوى الوعي الإحصائي لدى الطلاب والطالبات وتعريفهم بالمفاهيم الأساسية للإحصاء والبيانات، وتنمية مهارات التفكير النقدي والتحليل الكمي لديهم، بما يُسهم في إعداد جيل واعٍ بأهمية البيانات وقادر على توظيفها في فهم المتغيرات واتخاذ القرارات المبنية على المعلومات الموثوقة.
Sixth UN World Data Forum and Second Saudi Statistics Forum Postponed to 2027
22-10-2026
GASTAT President meets with Director General of SESRIC to discuss cooperation in statistical artificial intelligence
01-10-2026
The President of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) held a bilateral meeting with Ms. Zehra Zümrüt Selçuk, Director General of the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC), on the sidelines of the statistical meetings held in Jeddah from September 26 - 30, 2026. The meetings include the 51st Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Arab Institute for Training and Research in Statistics; the 44th Meeting of the Permanent Technical Committee for Statistics of the Economic and Social Council of the League of Arab States; and the 15th Session of the Statistical Commission of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), hosted by the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC).
The two sides discussed opportunities for cooperation in statistical artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and the development of statistical systems, in addition to fostering cooperation in training and capacity building, and reaffirming the invitation extended to SESRIC to participate in the UN World Data Forum 2026 (UNWDF) in Riyadh.
Furthermore, the meeting is part of GASTAT’s efforts to foster international statistical cooperation, contributing to improving the quality of data and statistical indicators and enhancing the efficiency of statistical work in support of development and decision-making.
GASTAT President discusses statistical cooperation opportunities with President of Egypt’s Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics
01-10-2026
The President of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), Fahad Aldossari, held a bilateral meeting with Major General Eng. Akram El Gohary, President of Egypt’s Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), on the sidelines of the statistical meetings held in Jeddah from September 26 - 30, 2026. The meetings include the 51st Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Arab Institute for Training and Research in Statistics; the 44th Meeting of the Permanent Technical Committee for Statistics of the Economic and Social Council of the League of Arab States; and the 15th Session of the Statistical Commission of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), hosted by the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC).
The two sides discussed opportunities for cooperation in conducting population and economic censuses and exchanging expertise, in addition to discussing early preparations for the Egypt 2028 Census.
During the meeting, Aldossari showcased the national vision for statistical transformation implemented by GASTAT, which is based on diversifying data sources, developing methodologies, upgrading digital infrastructure, and adopting international standards and practices, contributing to improving the quality of statistical products and expanding their scope to meet the needs of beneficiaries.
Furthermore, the meeting is part of GASTAT’s efforts to foster international statistical cooperation and support the development of statistical capacities, contributing to improving the quality of data and statistics and advancing statistical work in support of development objectives.
GASTAT President holds bilateral meeting with Director of the Department of Statistics and Databases at the League of Arab States
01-10-2026
The President of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), Fahad Aldossari, held a bilateral meeting with Ms. Abeer Al-Jalahma, Director of the Department of Statistics and Databases at the League of Arab States, on the sidelines of the statistical meetings held in Jeddah from September 26 - 30, 2026. The meetings include the 51st Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Arab Institute for Training and Research in Statistics; the 44th Meeting of the Permanent Technical Committee for Statistics of the Economic and Social Council of the League of Arab States; and the 15th Session of the Statistical Commission of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), hosted by the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC).
The two sides discussed opportunities to strengthen cooperation between GASTAT and the League in developing Arab statistical databases, exchanging technical expertise, implementing joint training programs, and exploring new initiatives that support Arab statistical work and keep pace with digital transformation in statistics production.
Furthermore, the meeting is part of GASTAT’s efforts to foster international statistical cooperation and support the development of statistical capacities, contributing to improving the quality of data and statistical indicators and advancing statistical work in support of development objectives and decision-making.
GASTAT President discusses statistical cooperation opportunities with President of the Syrian Planning Commission
01-10-2026
The President of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), Fahad Aldossari, held a bilateral meeting with Mr. Anas Radwan Salim, President of the Syrian Planning and Statistics Commission, on the sidelines of the statistical meetings held in Jeddah from September 26 - 30, 2026. The meetings include the 51st Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Arab Institute for Training and Research in Statistics; the 44th Meeting of the Permanent Technical Committee for Statistics of the Economic and Social Council of the League of Arab States; and the 15th Session of the Statistical Commission of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), hosted by the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC).
The meeting included discussions on several topics related to the development of statistical work and fostering cooperation between the two sides in areas of mutual interest.
During the meeting, Aldossari showcased the national vision for statistical transformation and GASTAT’s efforts, which involve diversifying data sources, developing methodologies, upgrading digital infrastructure, and adopting international standards and practices. These efforts contribute to improving the quality of statistical products and expanding their scope to meet the needs of users and beneficiaries, including individuals, organizations, and the private sector.
Furthermore, the meeting is part of GASTAT’s efforts to foster international statistical cooperation and support the development of statistical capacities, contributing to improving the quality of data and indicators and advancing statistical work in support of development objectives.
GASTAT President holds bilateral meeting with Iraqi counterpart to foster statistical cooperation
01-10-2026
The President of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), Fahad Aldossari, held a bilateral meeting with Dr. Diaa Awad Kadhim, President of the Commission of Statistics and GIS of the Republic of Iraq, on the sidelines of the statistical meetings held in Jeddah from September 26 - 30, 2026. The meetings include the 51st Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Arab Institute for Training and Research in Statistics; the 44th Meeting of the Permanent Technical Committee for Statistics of the Economic and Social Council of the League of Arab States; and the 15th Session of the Statistical Commission of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), hosted by the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC).
The meeting was held as part of the two sides’ commitment to fostering statistical cooperation and exchanging technical expertise, contributing to the development of the statistical ecosystems in both countries.
The two sides discussed opportunities for cooperation in implementing joint projects in emerging statistical fields, in addition to emphasizing the invitation extended to Iraq to participate in the UN World Data Forum 2026 (UNWDF) in Riyadh.
During the meeting, Aldossari showcased GASTAT’s efforts in statistical transformation, which are based on diversifying data sources, developing methodologies, upgrading digital infrastructure, and adopting international standards and practices. These efforts contribute to improving the quality of statistical products and expanding their scope to meet the needs of users and beneficiaries, including individuals, organizations, and the private sector.
Furthermore, the meeting is part of GASTAT’s efforts to foster statistical cooperation and partnerships, supporting the development of statistical systems and enhancing data quality to contribute to development policies and decision-making.
GASTAT President discusses ways to foster statistical cooperation with Statistics Indonesia
01-10-2026
The President of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), Fahad Aldossari, held a bilateral meeting with a delegation from Statistics Indonesia (BPS) on the sidelines of the statistical meetings held in Jeddah from September 26 - 30, 2026. The meetings include the 51st Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Arab Institute for Training and Research in Statistics; the 44th Meeting of the Permanent Technical Committee for Statistics of the Economic and Social Council of the League of Arab States; and the 15th Session of the Statistical Commission of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), hosted by the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC).
The Indonesian delegation included Dr. Sonny Harry Budiutomo Harmadi, Vice Chief Statistician; Dr. Nasrul Wajdi, Deputy Chief Statistician for Social; and Mr. Rizki Tri Anggara, Chief Statistician.
During the meeting, the two sides reviewed GASTAT’s efforts in statistical transformation, including diversifying data sources, developing statistical products, and adopting international standards and practices in statistical work.
Furthermore, the meeting is part of GASTAT’s efforts to foster international statistical cooperation and support the development of statistical work, contributing to improved statistical products and the provision of reliable statistical indicators that support development and decision-making.
GASTAT hosts the 15th Session of the of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Statistical Committee (OIC-StatCom)
30-09-2026
GASTAT hosted the 15th Session of the of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Statistical Committee (OIC-StatCom) in Jeddah on September 29–30, 2026, with the participation of heads and representatives of statistical offices from member states, as well as regional and international organizations.
The session addressed a number of topics related to advancing statistical work across member states, most notably the modernization of population and housing statistics through digital systems, the implementation of the 2025 System of National Accounts, and the monitoring of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) indicators. The session also reviewed member states’ experiences in leveraging emerging technologies and artificial intelligence in official statistics, as well as activities carried out since the previous session.
During the opening session, Fahad Aldossari, the President of GASTAT, delivered the Kingdom’s statement, emphasizing that Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the 15th Session of the of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Statistical Committee (OIC-StatCom) reflects its strong commitment to advancing statistical work and strengthening its role in keeping pace with evolving developments and meeting the growing demand for data.
He also highlighted the importance of leveraging modern technologies to enhance official statistics, thereby contributing to the provision of reliable data that supports decision-making.
On the sidelines of the session, a panel discussion titled “Fostering Partnerships within Statistical Ecosystems” as part of the sub-theme of the 6th UN World Data Forum. The session explored ways to strengthen public-private partnerships to support the development of statistical data, international cooperation in data sharing, and the role of international partnerships in addressing global challenges.
During the session, GASTAT also highlighted the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s preparations to host the 6th UN World Data Forum, scheduled to take place in Riyadh in November 2026. GASTAT also highlighted the efforts undertaken as part of the “Road to Riyadh” activities, including workshops and panel discussions aimed at fostering participation and exchanging knowledge and expertise in preparation for the Forum.
It is worth noting that, since the adoption of the Istanbul Declaration in 2010, OIC member states have held annual meetings under the umbrella of the OIC Statistical Committee. SESRIC, as the Secretariat of the Committee, continues to support initiatives aimed at strengthening the exchange of experiences, good practices, and technical knowledge among statistical offices across member states.
GASTAT launches a monthly statistical product on International Trade in Non-Oil Goods
24-09-2026
GASTAT has launched a new monthly statistical product titled “International Trade in Non-Oil Goods Statistics”. The product provides detailed data and indicators covering exports, re-exports, and imports in accordance with approved statistical classifications.
The product aims to improve the availability of up-to-date non-oil international trade data, supporting the monitoring and analysis of developments and enabling users to benefit from relevant indicators in a timely manner. It also provides users with up-to-date monthly data for the previous reference month on the Kingdom’s non-oil trade activity.
The launch of this product is part of GASTAT’s efforts to develop its statistical products and enhance data accessibility through reporting frequencies that meet users’ needs. It also enables studies and comparisons for research and statistical purposes.
The “International Trade in Non-Oil Goods Statistics” product is available through the official website of GASTAT.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Chairs the 44th Meeting of the Permanent Technical Committee for Statistics at the League of Arab States
28-09-2026
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), is chairing the 44th meeting of the Permanent Technical Committee for Statistics of the Economic and Social Council of the League of Arab States, hosted in Jeddah on Monday, September 28, 2026, with the participation of heads and representatives of statistical offices of the member states, as well as relevant Arab and regional organizations.
The meeting, chaired by Fahad Aldossari, President of GASTAT, discussed several priority areas for Arab statistical work, including developing and updating official statistics, Sustainable Development Goal indicators, and exchanging statistical experiences and expertise among Arab countries. It also explored ways to strengthen coordination and cooperation among relevant statistical authorities, offices, and organizations.
Furthermore, this meeting comes in light of rapid developments in data sources, methodologies, and technologies used to produce statistics, requiring greater integration among statistical offices and the development of capabilities to support the quality of statistics across Arab countries.
The meeting also comes as part of GASTAT’s preparations to host the 6th UN World Data Forum in Riyadh in November 2026, as GASTAT works to strengthen its organizational readiness and enrich the Forum’s themes by addressing the latest developments in statistical work through panel discussions, workshops, conferences, and international meetings.
GASTAT hosts the 51st meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Arab Institute for Training and Research in Statistics (AITRS)
27-09-2026
The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) hosted in Jeddah the 51st meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Arab Institute for Training and Research in Statistics (AITRS), with the participation of heads and representatives of Arab statistical offices, as well as relevant Arab and regional organizations.
The meeting discussed a number of topics related to developing statistical capacities across Arab countries and strengthening the role of training and research in keeping pace with the rapid transformations taking place in the field of statistics. These include technological advancements and the adoption of modern tools to enhance the quality of official statistics and strengthen their ability to support development and economic plans and policies across the Arab world.
GASTAT’s hosting of the meeting comes as part of its efforts to strengthen Arab statistical cooperation and in recognition of the important role played by AITRS in supporting knowledge and expertise within statistical authorities. These efforts contribute to developing professional competencies and enhancing the readiness of statistical systems to meet the growing demand for reliable data and statistics.
The meeting is being hosted as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia prepares to host the 6th UN World Data Forum in Riyadh in November 2026. The forum will bring together the global data community to discuss the future of data and statistics and to advance partnerships and international cooperation in this field.
GASTAT organizes a workshop to discuss the Transformation in Health Statistics and the Women and Child Health Survey as part of Road to Riyadh events
20-09-2026
The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) organizes, on Thursday, September 24, 2026, a quarterly virtual workshop titled “Statistical Practices: Transformation in Health Statistics – Women and Child Health Survey” as part of the Road to Riyadh events. The workshop is part of a series of quarterly workshops showcasing GASTAT’s experiences and practices in various areas of statistical work and contributing to knowledge exchange within the statistical community.
The workshop aims to review GASTAT’s experience in developing the Women and Child Health Survey as a national statistical product, highlight the statistical and community practices that support the quality of its data, and underscore its role in supporting decision-making, the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
In addition, the workshop will cover several topics related to the transformation in social and health statistics, the experience of the Women and Child Health Survey, community and statistical success factors, as well as the key findings of the survey.
The workshop will be held virtually with local and international participation, enabling participants to share knowledge and expertise in the field of health and social statistics.
It is noteworthy that the workshop is part of GASTAT’s preparations to host the 6th UN World Data Forum in November 2026. Through the workshop, GASTAT aims to showcase Saudi Arabia’s efforts to advance statistical work and enhance the quality of statistics in support of public policies and decision-making.
GASTAT: Exports and imports at Saudi Arabia’s ports exceed 341 million tons in 2025
17-09-2026
The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released the Maritime Transport Statistics publication 2025, which indicated that the total volume of inbound and outbound cargo at Saudi Arabia’s ports exceeded 341 million tons. The volume of outbound cargo reached 227.2 million tons, increasing by 2.1% compared to 2024, while the volume of inbound cargo totaled 114.3 million tons, an increase of 5.0% compared to the previous year.
The publication indicated that King Fahad Industrial Port in Yanbu ranked first in terms of exports, representing 50.7% of the total, with 115.2 million tons. Meanwhile, King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam ranked first among ports receiving imported goods, with a total of 39.2 million tons.
Data also showed that the total volume of cargo handled at Saudi Arabia’s ports exceeded 298 million tons in 2025. King Fahad Industrial Port in Yanbu ranked first in terms of cargo handling, accounting for 33.0%, while Jeddah Islamic Port ranked first in terms of handling twenty-foot equivalent units, accounting for 47.3%.
Regarding ship traffic, the total number of ships arriving at Saudi Arabia’s ports reached 7,848 in 2025. Jeddah Islamic Port accounted for the largest share, with 2,677 ships, followed by Jubail Commercial Port with 1,256 ships and King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam with 1,030 ships.
The publication also showed that the number of passengers arriving at and departing from Saudi Arabia’s ports reached approximately 1.1 million passengers in 2025, an increase of 20.1% compared to 2024. Jazan Port recorded the highest passenger traffic, with more than 489.6 thousand passengers, followed by Jeddah Islamic Port with approximately 413.8 thousand passengers and NEOM Port with more than 187 thousand passengers. Meanwhile, the total number of cruise passengers reached 174.5 thousand during the year.
It is worth noting that the Maritime Transport Statistics publication is based on administrative records obtained from the Saudi Ports Authority, the Economic Cities and Special Economic Zones Authority, NEOM Company, and the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, with the aim of providing a reliable database to support studies and research in the maritime transport sector.
UN commends GASTAT for developing RAD tool and adopts it as an applied model
16-09-2026
The UN Statistics Division commends the methodology developed by GASTAT for designing and managing statistical surveys and adopted the Request Assessment and Decision (RAD) survey designing tool as an applied model for professional best practices that enhance the quality of statistical survey design and implementation efficiency. Featured in the United Nations Handbook on Household Surveys, this recognition highlights Saudi Arabia's significant progress in the field of statistics.
The inclusion of the RAD tool in the UN Handbook reflects international recognition of GASTAT’s methodology for planning, designing, and managing surveys. The Handbook describes the applied methodology as an organized and rigorous process that ensures statistical surveys are conducted in accordance with high standards of quality, accuracy, and relevance. This maximizes the added value of data and increases the efficiency of its use in supporting public policies and achieving SDGs, while showcasing Saudi Arabia's investment in advancing statistical tools under the Saudi Vision 2030.
It is worth noting that the development of the RAD tool comes as part of GASTAT’s ongoing efforts to develop national statistical tools and methodologies and its endeavor to strengthen institutional capacities and transform its experiences in conducting surveys into applicable and sustainable practices and tools, thereby enhancing the quality of statistical work.
GASTAT: Inflation in Saudi Arabia reaches 1.8% in August 2026
15-09-2026
The annual inflation rate of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in Saudi Arabia reached 1.8% in August 2026, compared to the corresponding month of 2025. This was mainly driven by increases in the prices of housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels by 3.9%, food and beverages by 1.4%, and transport by 2.0%. On a monthly basis, the CPI increased by 0.1% compared to July 2026.
In the same context, the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) increased by 4.6% in August 2026 compared to the corresponding month of 2025, while decreasing by 0.2% on a monthly basis compared to July 2026.
It is noteworthy that the CPI reflects changes in the prices paid by consumers for a fixed basket of goods and services, while the WPI reflects price movements of goods at the pre-retail stage for a fixed basket of goods.