Methodology and Quality Update

Latest Update on Methodology and Quality

2026/01/14

Statistical Presentation

Data description

The ICT Access and Usage Statistics for Households and Individuals present data on access to and usage of information and communication technology in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
ICT Access and Usage is a survey conducted to collect data on the main characteristics, as follows:
•    Availability of information and communication technology (ICT) devices among households.
•    Use of information and communication technology (ICT) among individuals.
•    Areas of internet use by individuals.
•    Locations where the internet was used by individuals.

Classifications

The following classifications are applied in ICT Access and Usage for Households and Individuals.
Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations(ISCO_08):
A statistical classification based on the International Classification  (ISCO_08) that provides a system for the classification and compilation of professional information obtained through censuses, statistical surveys, and administrative records.
This classification is used in ICT Access and Usage for Households and Individuals to classify employed persons based on their occupations.
Saudi Classification of Specializations and Educational Levels:
A statistical classification based on the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED_11) and (ISCED_13) for education and training, issued by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It serves as the reference classification for organizing educational programs and qualifications according to their levels and fields of study. It comprehensively covers all educational programs, levels, and methods, spanning from early childhood education to higher education levels.
This classification is used in ICT Access and Usage for Households and Individuals to classify individuals aged 15–74 years according to their fields of specialization and levels of education.
National Code of Countries and Nationalities (3166 ISO – codes Country):
A statistical classification based on the international standard  (ISO 3166_Country codes), which is a standard issued by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO of the UN), and this classification gives numeric and literal codes for the world’s (248) countries, based on the classification of countries.  
This classification is used in ICT Access and Usage for Households and Individuals to classify individuals into Saudi and non-Saudi.
Metadata is collected through interviews, so that outputs can be produces in accordance with all relevant classifications.
The classifications are available on GASTAT’s website
www.stats.gov.sa

Statistical concepts and definitions

Terms and Concepts for ICT Access and Usage for Households and Individuals:
•    Information and Communication Technology (ICT): 
It is the description of the tools and methods of accessing information technology media and performing data retrieval, storage, organization, and production processing methods, as well as describing the means of displaying and exchanging information through electronic and manual methods, and some information technology tools include computers, scanners, digital cameras, telephones, faxes, CDs, and software, such as. Database system and multimedia applications.
•    Access and usage of Information and Communication Technology (ICT): 
It is important to distinguish between what we mean by access to information and communication technology (ICT) and the use of this technology. ICT access refers to the availability of this technology to a household. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) use refers to the use of ICT by one or more household members, whether at home or elsewhere.
•    Internet: 
The internet is a vast computer network composed of smaller networks, allowing anyone connected to it to browse the network and access information (if permitted). It serves as a means of communication and information exchange among individuals and institutions. Internet service can be accessed in several ways, including digital subscriber line (DSL), mobile modem, mobile data packages, or fiber-optic connections.
•    Social media platforms: 
Social media platforms are a group of websites available on the internet whose main objective is to facilitate communication among individuals or establishments across different parts of the world. Most social media platforms provide services such as written communication with other users, as well as voice and video communication. These platforms include Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. etc.).
•    Email: 
Email is a service that allows network users, locally and globally, to exchange messages, text, and attachments.
•    Blog: 
An abbreviation of the term “weblog,” a blog is a discussion or informational website published on the World Wide Web, consisting of discrete entries (“posts”) arranged in reverse chronological order (from the most recent to the oldest).

Data sources

The main data source for ICT Access and Usage for Households and Individuals is the ICT Access and Usage Survey for Households and Individuals. 
The main variables published for ICT Access and Usage for Households and Individuals are:
•    Percentage of households with a television set.
•    Percentage of households with a mobile phone.
•    Percentage of individuals aged 15–74 years who use the internet.
•    Percentage of individuals aged 15–74 years who purchased goods and services online. 
•    Percentage of individuals aged 15–74 years who carried out government services online.

Designing the data collection tool

An electronic form (CAPI) was designed to ensure ease of use by field researchers, and a computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) form was designed to communicate with the targeted respondents by phone. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire that was prepared and designed by specialists at the General Authority for Statistics. International recommendations, standards, and definitions were taken into account in its design. The questions were formulated in a specific scientific manner to standardize the way questions are administered by researchers.
The survey’s conceptual and methodological framework, along with its core and supplementary indicators, were developed in accordance with the ITU guidelines.
Sections of the questionnaire:
The questionnaire consists of 12 main sections, designed to cover the various aspects of information and communication technology usage, as follows:
•    Section one: Geographic data.
•    Section two: Dwelling characteristics.
•    Section three: Households' access to ICTs.
•    Section four: Home internet services.
•    Section five: Children’s internet use.
•    Section six: General characteristics of individuals within the household.
•    Section seven: Use of information and communication technology.
•    Section eight: Individual use of the internet.
•    Section nine: Digital content.
•    Section Ten: Electronic services.
•    Section 11: Mobile voice communication services.
•    Section 12: Mobile internet services.
Method of calculating the indicators:
The ICT Access and Usage for Households and Individuals survey aims to measure a number of national and international indicators related to ICT access and usage among households and individuals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, at both the household and individual levels. The calculation of the main indicators of the ICT Access and Usage for Households and Individuals survey is based on the internationally recognized formulas, as follows:
•    Percentage of households by availability of information and communication technology at the administrative region level =
(Number of households with information and communication technology in the administrative region / Total number of households in the survey sample for each administrative region) × 100
•    Percentage of individuals aged 15-74 years who use information and communication technology by administrative region =
(Number of individuals aged 15-74 years who use information and communication technology / Total number of individuals 15-74 years in the survey sample for each administrative region) × 100
•    Percentage of individuals aged 15-74 years who use information and communication technology by sex and nationality =
(Number of individuals aged 15-74 years by nationality, who use information and communication technology / Total number of individuals 15-74 years in the survey sample, by nationality) × 100 
•    Percentage of individuals aged 15-74 years who use information and communication technology by age groups =
(Number of individuals aged 15-74 years by age group, who use information and communication technology / Total number of individuals 15-74 years in the survey sample for each age group) × 100
Review and Correction Rules:
Audit and control rules have been established in the form to ensure that the data collected is consistent, accurate, and logical. These rules were designed by establishing logical relationships between responses, questions, and different variables to help the field researcher detect any errors directly during data entry.
To ensure the quality of data for ICT Access and Usage for Households and Individuals, four types of review and correction rules were established, as follows:
Navigation rules between sections and fields:
Special rules were programmed to regulate automatic navigation between sections and fields based on the respondent’s answers, totaling 70 rules.
Error rules:
These are rules that cannot be bypassed during the data entry process. Accordingly, the field researcher is required to revise the data by referring back to the respondent to verify its accuracy. The number of such rules exceeds 150.
Alert rules (warnings):
These rules are designed to verify the correctness of the data entered by the researcher. The field researcher may override them if the data accuracy is confirmed, with a total of approximately 16 rules.

Questionnaire test (cognitive test)

The outputs of the cognitive testing conducted in 2024 were relied upon. The interview sample consisted of a random sample, and cognitive testing was conducted on a number of questionnaire questions based on the pillars of cognitive testing. A number of observations were identified related to the following pillars: the general concept of the question, clarity of question wording, clarity of the terms used in the question, and the appropriateness of the response options, culminating in the preparation of a report providing a comprehensive summary of the cognitive testing results.

Statistical population

The statistical population for ICT Access and Usage for Households and Individuals consists of all resident households (Saudi and non-Saudi) and resident individuals (Saudi and non-Saudi) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Sample Design

Sample type
The sample was designed using a two-stage stratified cluster systematic random sampling method. In the first stage, a random sample of primary sampling units (counting areas) was selected for each stratum of the adopted sampling design.   In the second stage, a systematic random sample of 20 households was selected from each chosen primary sampling unit.
Stratification:
To increase the efficiency of the sample and enhance its representation of the target population, the primary sampling units in the sample frame were classified into homogeneous strata as follows: To obtain more accurate results than those of a simple random sample of the same size, and to ensure a sufficient number of households at publishable levels with acceptable precision, stratification was conducted as follows:
•    Using governorates as actual strata.
•    The degree of urbanization (urban, rural) was used as actual strata.
•    Implicit stratification was applied by ordering the primary sampling units within each governorate according to demographic indicators and housing condition indicators, which were combined into a single variable using factor analysis. This approach was applied during the design of the Labor Force Survey.
Sample allocation across strata:
Exponential allocation (with a lambda value of 0.4) was used to allocate the total sample across administrative regions. Proportional allocation was then used to allocate the administrative region samples to governorates within each administrative region.  It was implemented using the number of housing units from the second stage of the census as the measure of size (MOS).  The following is the proportional allocation formula:

Where:
•     : represents the total sample size in the study domain or administrative region.
 •    : represents the sample size allocated to stratum (governorate) h
 •     represents the size of stratum h in the sampling frame.
Calculation of sample size:
The estimated sample size for each administrative region (study domain) was calculated using Equation (9) below. The estimated size for each administrative region was then allocated to the strata (governorates) within that region using Augmented Proportional Allocation. The calculated sample size for small governorates was increased to ensure that it was not less than 40 households.
Parameters and determinants used in sample size estimation:
The sample size was calculated using the following parameters and specifications:
•   The estimates calculated from the sample have a specified level of precision. The maximum allowable coefficient of variation (CV) used in calculating the sample size was 1% at the national level, 3% at the administrative region level, and 10% at the governorate level.
•     The design effect used at the administrative region level ranged between 2.48 and 3.875
•     The expected response rate at the national level was 80%
•      A confidence level of (1 − α) = 0.95 was used in estimating the mean.
Sample size estimation formula:
The sample size was calculated at the health center level to ensure the production of accurate estimates at this level (publication level), in addition to the national level and the administrative region level, based on the request of the department responsible for the survey.
The sample size for each stratum h (study domain) was calculated as follows:

Where:
•    :is the frame size for each stratum h (study domain).
•      :is the sample size for each stratum h (study domain).
•    :is the estimated design effect for each stratum h (study domain).
•     : is the estimated response rate for each stratum h (study domain).
•      :is the allowable margin of error in estimating a given proportion for each stratum h (study domain). Note that the allowable error is calculated by multiplying the relative error by the value of the proportion to be estimated from the survey   .
•  : is the proportion of individuals who performed Umrah more than once in stratum h (study domain).
•    α : is the confidence level parameter for the aforementioned proportion for each stratum h (study domain).
The sample size amounted to 19,820 households and was distributed across governorates according to levels of urbanization, ensuring a balance between urban and rural areas.
The level of precision was determined with a margin of error of (±6%) at a 95% confidence level. The coverage and representation also encompassed all regions of the Kingdom, ensuring comprehensive coverage of all targeted dwellings within the scope of the study. 
Table: Sample distribution at the administrative region level:

Statistical unit (sampling unit)

The statistical unit for ICT Access and Usage for Households and Individuals is households and individuals.

Data collection

Data collection from the survey:
Data for ICT Access and Usage for Households and Individuals are collected through computer-assisted personal interviews (CAPI).
The data is stored in the authority's databases after undergoing auditing and review processes following approved statistical methods and recognized quality standards. If errors or discrepancies are discovered, the data is cross-referenced with the data source for correction or clarification.

Data collection frequency 

Data collection for ICT Access and Usage for Households and Individuals is conducted on an annual basis.

Reference area

ICT Access and Usage for Households and Individuals covers 13 administrative regions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Reference period (time reference)

References period to the variables or dataset as following:
•    Household identification data, dwelling characteristics, household access to ICT, and general individual characteristics (such as educational attainment) are referenced to the date of the household visit. 
•    Employment status data are referenced to the seven days preceding the household visit.
•    Data on household access to ICT and internet use are referenced to the three months preceding the household visit. 

Base period

Not applicable, as the survey does not rely on an index number methodology or the calculation of relative changes compared to a base year. Rather, it aims to measure the characteristics and uses of information and communication technology among households and individuals during a specified reference period. Accordingly, the concept of a base period does not apply to this survey.

Measurement unit

The unit used in ICT Access and Usage for Households and Individuals is the percentage, such as: Percentage of individuals who use the internet.

Time coverage

The data are available from 2017 to 2025.

Publication frequency

The results of ICT Access and Usage Statistics for Households and Individuals are published on an annual basis in accordance with the approved statistical plan.

Statistical processing

Error detection

Data are reviewed and matched to ensure their accuracy and precision in a way that suits their nature with the aim of giving the presented statistics quality and accuracy.
 An example of this is the use of the interquartile range (IQR) methodology, which is widely applied internationally to identify outliers.
The calculation is done:
•    First quartile (Q1 / 25%): The median of the lower half of the dataset. 
•    Third quartile (Q3 / 75%): The median of the upper half of the dataset. 
The interquartile range measures the dispersion of 50% of the data to highlight values that differ substantially from the central tendency of the dataset. 
  The boundaries for outliers are determined as follows:
•    Lower Bound: First quartile - 1.5 * Interquartile range (IQR). 
•    Upper Bound: Third quartile + 1.5 * Interquartile range (IQR).
Variables are identified as outliers if: 
•    The variable is below the minimum threshold.
•    The variable is above the maximum threshold.
After identifying outliers, the Digital Economy Statistics team analyzes and evaluates the impact of outliers on averages by comparing the mean and the median across specific characteristics of the dataset, using appropriate statistical measures. In addition to processing and tabulating the data to verify its accuracy, all outputs are stored and uploaded to the database after being calculated by the General Authority for Statistics. They are then reviewed and processed by specialists in the Digital Economy Statistics Department, using modern technologies and software designed for this purpose.

Data integration and matching from multiple sources 

Not applicable, as the product relies on only one main data source.

Imputation and calibration

Compensation and calibration procedures were implemented as part of the statistical processing stage in accordance with the GSBPM model, to improve data quality and reduce bias resulting from partial or total non-response. The compensation process involved the application of specific methodologies to compensate for missing values. Regarding calibration, the design weights of responding units were adjusted to align with known totals or population distributions, thereby improving sample representativeness and ensuring the consistency of estimates.
These processes took into account statistical quality standards such as impartiality, consistency, and comparability. All processing steps were documented for transparency, reproducibility, and verification.
The sample weights were calculated by computing the design weight, which reflects the probability of selecting a sampling unit into the sample, such that the weight of a selected unit (individual) in the sample is as follows: 

Where: 
: denotes the probability of selecting individual i from stratum h
Non-response weight adjustment:
Weight adjustment to compensate for non-response or missing data to ensure proper representation of the sample. This adjustment is made after data collection and identifying the response cases, and is calculated using the following formula:

Where:
w h * the non-response–adjusted weight in stratum (or adjustment class) h, where the adjustment factor for each stratum (or adjustment class),   , is calculated as follows:

Where: 
 R denotes response cases, and NR denotes non-response cases.
Table of survey response outcomes after the data collection process is as follows:

Calibration of weights using projections:
Weights are calibrated (adjusted) to align with the population distribution based on known characteristics such as age, sex, nationality, and administrative region, as follows:
•    Adjustment classes, referred to as post-strata (Post_Strata), are created through a combination of the variables mentioned above. Updated population totals for each adjustment class are obtained from population projections.

•    The totals of the non-response–adjusted weights are calculated within each adjustment class (post-stratum).
•    The weight calibration factor is calculated by dividing the population totals by the sum of weights within each adjustment class.  
The following equation illustrates the weight calibration mechanism:

Where:
•    : Final weight.
•   X : Total number of individuals in the calibration class according to population projections.
•    : Sum of the adjusted weights for individuals in the calibration class.

Seasonal adjustments

Not applicable, only final results will be published. 

Adjustment of preliminary results

Not applicable, only final results will be published.

Used Resources

Quality dimensions

Suitability

A criterion that indicates the extent to which the product meets users’ needs.

User needs 

Internal users in the General Authority for Statistics of data of the Survey of ICT Access and Use by Households and Individuals:
•    International Indicators Department.
•    General Department of Strategic Communication and Client Support.
There are several external users who significantly benefit from ICT Access and Usage Statistics for Households and Individuals data, including:
•    Government entities.
•    Regional and international organizations.
•    Research institutions.
•    Media.
•    Individuals.
The disseminated key variables used by external users: 

Completeness 

Data for ICT Access and Usage Statistics for Households and Individuals are based on a single main data source, namely the survey, in order to provide comprehensive information on information and communication technology, and the data status is complete.

Accuracy and reliability 

A measure that indicates the extent to which estimates or calculations are close to the true or exact values that reflect reality.

Overall accuracy 

•    The data collected is improved through the researchers, that have been selected according to a set of practical and objective criteria and training program related to the field of work.
•    Alert and blocking rules, as well as correction rules, are applied during the data collection process through the electronic questionnaire for ICT Access and Usage for Households and Individuals to improve data quality.
•    Data is checked with previous years to identify any significant changes in the data.
•    The internal consistency of the data is checked before it is finalized.
•    The links between variables are checked and coherence between different data series is confirmed.

Timeliness and punctuality 

Timeliness A standard that indicates the length of time between the availability of information and the occurrence of the event.
Punctuality It reflects the time lag between the data publication date and the target date when publication actually occurs.

Timeliness 

GASTAT uses the Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS) issued by the International Monetary Fund. According to this Standard, all statistics agencies are required to publish data on an annual basis, and with a delay of not more than mid of year (180 days) after the end of the reference period. If the data are from different source, they may be published in a different frequency.

Punctuality 

Publication is carried out according to the publication dates in the statistical calendar published for ICT Access and Usage for Households and Individuals on the General Authority for Statistics website.
The data are available at the expected time, as scheduled in the statistical release calendar, If the publication is delayed, reasons shall be provided. 

Coherence and comparability

A standard that refers to the necessity of internal and temporal consistency of statistics, their logical coherence, and their comparability and integration across different regions and sources.

Comparability – geographical

The statistical data related to ICT Access and Usage Statistics for Households and Individuals are fully geographically comparable across administrative regions within the Kingdom, as well as at the regional and international levels.

Comparability - over time 

The survey began in 2017 as an annual survey and is comparable over time. 

Coherence- Cross domain

Not applicable, as there is no overlap between the indicators of GASTAT surveys and ICT Access and Usage Statistics for Households and Individuals.

Coherence- Sub-annual and annual statistics 

Not applicable, as ICT Access and Usage Statistics for Households and Individuals are conducted on an annual basis only.

Coherence- National Accounts 

Not applicable, as the indicators of ICT Access and Usage Statistics for Households and Individuals are not directly linked to national accounts or their inputs.

Coherence- Internal 

The estimates of ICT Access and Usage Statistics for Households and Individuals for 2025 have full internal consistency, as they are all based on the same microdata set and are calculated using the same estimation methods.

Accessibility and clarity

This refers to the accessibility of data for users, the availability of detailed or aggregated data, as well as the availability of the methodology and quality report.

Press releases

The announcements for each publication are available on the statistical calendar as mentioned in 10.1. The press releases can be viewed on the website of GASTAT on the link: 
Press release

Publications

GASTAT issues publications and reports on ICT Access and Usage Statistics for Households and Individuals regularly in accordance with a pre-established dissemination plan, and they are published on the Authority’s website. The Authority is keen to disseminate its results in a manner that serves all users, regardless of their types, including publications in various formats that contain dissemination tables, charts for data and indicators, and the Methodology and Quality Report, in both Arabic and English.
The results of ICT Access and Usage Statistics for Households and Individuals are available at:
ICT Access and Usage Statistics for Households and Individuals

Online database

The data is published on the statistical database:
GASTAT (stats.gov.sa)

Microdata accessibility

Accurate data is unit-level disaggregated data obtained from multiple sources such as sample statistical surveys, general population and housing censuses, and administrative systems, providing detailed information about the characteristics of individuals, families, business entities, and geographical areas, supporting the construction and development of statistical indicators and scientific research.
Different types of microdata files are available to meet diverse information needs.
•    Public use: 
It consists of sets of records containing information on individuals, households, or business entities anonymized in such a way that the respondent cannot be identified either directly, such as by name, address, contact number, identity number, etc., or indirectly (by combining different – especially rare – characteristics of respondents), such as age, occupation, education, etc.
•    Scientific use:
These files are created based on specific methodologies, upon request by data users, to extract datasets with defined characteristics for use in strategic studies, decision-making, and scientific research by individuals, households, and companies, while ensuring that they do not contain any direct identifiers and are subject to confidentiality protection controls.
Qualified users who meet the standards and procedures of confidentiality protection can access the files of scientific use of accurate data through the platform "ITAHA" of the General Authority for Statistics, while the most sensitive data for use is shared by visiting the accurate data laboratory within a secure environment managed by the Authority.

References and standards

ICT Access and Usage Statistics for Households and Individuals are based on the international standards set out in the guide “Measuring Household and Individual Access to and Use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT),” issued by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in its 2020 edition, for the adoption of the indicators, concepts, definitions, and classifications applied in the survey.
To access the guide:
https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Pages/publications/manual.aspx

Quality assurance

GASTAT declares that it considers the following principles: Impartiality; ensuring that the statistical product is user-oriented; quality of processes and outputs; effectiveness of statistical operations; and reduction of the burden on respondents. 
Data is validated through procedures and quality controls that are applied during the process at various stages, such as data entry, data collection, and other final controls.

Quality assessment

The General Authority for Statistics performs all statistical activities in accordance with the national model, the Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM). Under the GSBPM, the final phase of statistical activities is the overall evaluation stage, during which the information collected in each phase or sub-process is used to prepare an evaluation report that summarizes all challenges related to the quality of each statistical process and serves as input for improvement and development actions.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality – Policy

According to Royal Decree No. 23 dated 07/12/1379, data must always be kept confidential and must be used by GASTAT for statistical purposes only.
Therefore, the data is protected in the data servers of GASTAT.

Confidentiality - Data Treatment

Data were displayed in appropriate tables to facilitate their summarization, comprehension, and results extraction. Also, to compare data with other data and extract statistical meanings for the study community. It is also easier to check tables without the need to see any sensitive or confidential data, which violates the confidentiality of statistical data.

Publishing policy

Statistical calendar

ICT Access and Usage Statistics for Households and Individuals have been included in the statistical calendar.
Statistical Calendar

User access

One of the objectives of the General Authority for Statistics is to better meet the needs of its users; therefore, it provides them immediately with the results of the publication upon the release of the ICT Access and Usage Statistics for Households and Individuals results publication.
Customer questions and inquiries regarding the publication and its results are also received through various communication channels, such as:
•    GASTAT official website:  www.stats.gov.sa
•    GASTAT official email address:   info@stats.gov.sa
•    Official visits to GASTAT’s official head office in Riyadh or one of its branches in Saudi Arabia.
•    Official letters.
•    Statistical telephone: (199009).