Methodology and Quality Update
Latest Update on Methodology and Quality
2025/12/24
Statistical Presentation
Data description
The Warehousing and Logistics Statistics presents data on recent statistics and indicators on warehousing and logistics in Saudi Arabia, presented in the form of statistical tables and analytical reports.
The data were collected on the main characteristics as follows:
• Licensed warehouses.
• Postal and freight transportation data.
• Activated logistics centers.
• Distribution of activated logistics centers by type of use.
• Freight by transportation sector.
• Freight transportation service licenses.
• Data on licensed delivery apps for freight transportation.
• Driver licenses issued by activity.
• Contracted companies in freight transportation and logistics services.
• Freight loading and unloading stations
Classifications
The following classifications are applied in the Warehousing and Logistics Statistics:
The National Classification for Economic Activities (ISIC4):
It is a statistical classification based on the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC4), used to describe the productive activities of an establishment.
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.
The classification is used in the Warehousing and Logistics Statistics to classify Saudi or non-Saudi individuals.
Detailed data are collected to allow the production of outputs in accordance with all relevant classifications.
The classifications are available on GASTAT website:
• The National Classification for Economic Activities
• National Code of Countries and Nationalities
Statistical concepts and definitions
Terms and concepts of the Warehousing and Logistics Statistics Publication:
• Logistics services:
The processes and procedures that ensure the transportation of goods from one point to another through various means of road, sea or air transportation.
• Logistics center:
A geographic cluster of entities and companies involved in freight and logistics services.
• Warehousing :
A place where goods are safely stored according to the conditions in which they should be kept.
• Warehouses:
Warehouses are specialized storage facilities equipped with controlled environments that maintain specific temperatures to preserve goods, prevent spoilage, and ensure product quality.
• Transportation documents license:
A transportation document is a document issued under a transportation contract and serves as proof of receipt of the goods by the carrier. It indicates that the goods are being transported in the condition specified in the document, to be delivered to the consignee in the same condition.
• Outlets for postal services:
The place where goods or products are sold to retail and wholesale customers, including private sector companies in the logistics sector.
• Postal Services:
Transportation and delivery of mail and parcels (domestic or international), sale of postage stamps, distribution and postal delivery, etc. It also includes activities carried out by a private messenger, typically involving letters and small-sized parcels..
• Customs clearance activity licenses:
Licensing customs activities for imported, exported, and transit goods in accordance with the customs procedures stipulated in the Unified Customs Law by port type: air or sea.
• Delivery apps:
These are programs that make it easy to get what you need without leaving your home. They provide food, drinks and other supplies and services, as well as apps that provide delivery service from one place to another.
• Integrated truck service yard:
Integrated yard providing diverse services for trucks and their drivers, including: Maintenance services, fuel services, catering and temporary accommodation services, and comprehensive solutions for truck operators under one roof.
• Open storage yard:
Used for storing equipment, vehicles, materials, and goods suitable for outdoor storage.
• Distribution centers:
Specialized warehouses for storing goods and products to redistribute them to retail and wholesale traders, as well as directly to customers.
• 3PL warehouses:
Buildings used for storing goods and products on behalf of third parties, utilized by manufacturers, suppliers, exporters, wholesalers, and transportation companies. Their sizes vary in terms of area and height.
• Refrigerated warehouses:
Buildings designed for storing goods and products at specific temperature levels, utilized by manufacturers, suppliers, exporters, wholesalers, and transportation companies. Their sizes vary in terms of area and height.
• Hazardous materials warehouses:
Buildings for storing hazardous goods and products that are flammable or explosive.
Data sources
Warehousing and Logistics Statistics are based on administrative records, which are:
• Transport General Authority.
• Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services.
• Ministry of Municipalities and Housing.
• Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority.
• Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones.
• General Authority of Civil Aviation.
• Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani).
The main published variables from the administrative data source are:
• Number of warehouses.
• Number of logistics centers.
• Number of issued and valid licenses.
• Data on licensed delivery apps for transporting freight.
• Postal and parcel data.
• Amount of freight by transportation sector.
Designing the data collection tool
Administrative data are collected based on standardized data request forms that are sent to the data-providing entities to obtain periodic, harmonized, and documented data derived from administrative records related to the Warehousing and Logistics Statistics indicators. This process ensures improved data quality and promotes integration across the various data sources.
Questionnaire test (cognitive test)
Not applicable, as the product is registry-based and relies on registry data available from the relevant authorities.
Statistical population
The statistical population for the Warehousing and Logistics Statistics consists of all establishments operating within Saudi Arabia that engage in all warehousing and logistics activities according to the National Classification of Economic Activities (ISIC4), across all categories, sizes, and their distribution across administrative regions.
Sample Design
Not applicable, as the product is based on administrative records provided by the relevant authorities.
Statistical unit (sampling unit)
The statistical unit in the Warehousing and Logistics Statistics is the establishment in the logistics services sector.
Data collection
Data collection from administrative records:
Data are collected from administrative records in coordination with the departments of GASTAT responsible for data collection and management. The administrative record data for the Warehousing and Logistics Statistics Publication are obtained from the Transport General Authority, Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services, Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, and MODON (Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones). These include data on the number of logistics centers, warehouses, and freight volumes.
The data is stored in the Authority’s databases after undergoing auditing and review using established statistical methods and recognized quality standards regarding the data source, in case any errors or remarks related to the data are detected.
Data collection frequency
The collection of Warehousing and Logistics Statistics data is conducted on an annual basis.
Reference area
The Warehousing and Logistics Statistics Publication covers 13 administrative regions in Saudi Arabia.
Reference period (time reference)
References period to the variables or dataset as following:
All data for the Warehousing and Logistics Statistics 2024 are based on administrative records, covering the period from the first day to the last day of the year.
Base period
Not applicable.
Measurement unit
• Most results are measured by numbers (e.g.: Number of postal service outlets – Number of warehouses – Number of licenses – Number of logistics centers in thousands).
• Indicators calculated as equations (e.g.: Freight volume in tons).
• Results calculated in square meters (e.g.: warehouses area, logistics asset area).
• Some results are calculated as percentages (e.g., Delivery success percentage according to the agreed timeframe).
Time coverage
Data for some indicators is available, as applicable, as a time series from 2021 to 2024.
Publication frequency
The results of the Warehousing and Logistics Statistics are published annually in accordance with the approved statistical plan.
Statistical processing
Error detection
The data is reviewed and validated to ensure its accuracy in a manner appropriate to its nature, to enhance the quality and accuracy of the statistics provided.
The current year’s publication data is compared with the previous year’s data to ensure its validity and coherence in preparation for data processing, extracting results, and reviewing them.
In addition to the data processing and tabulation to check their accuracy, all the outputs are stored and uploaded to the database after being calculated by GASTAT to be reviewed and processed by specialists in the Tourism and Transportation Statistics department through modern technologies and software designed for this purpose.
Data integration and matching from multiple sources
Not applicable, as the product relies on a single primary data source only.
Imputation and calibration
Not applicable, as the product is registry-based and relies on registry data available from the relevant authorities.
Seasonal adjustments
The impact of seasonal variations in the activities of transportation and logistics establishments is addressed by comparing the results with the same period of the previous year to ensure a more accurate interpretation of changes, with the possibility of applying statistical methods for seasonal adjustment when needed.
Adjustment of preliminary results
Not applicable, only final results will be published.
Quality dimensions
Suitability
A criterion that indicates how well the product meets users’ needs.
User needs
Internal users at the General Authority for Statistics for Warehousing and Logistics Statistics Publication data:
• International Indicators Department.
Several external users who greatly benefit from Warehousing and Logistics Statistics Publication data, including:
• Government entities.
• Regional and international organizations.
• Research institutions.
• Media.
• Individuals.
Key variables most utilized by external users:
• Number of licenses for warehouses, freight transportation services, and delivery apps.
• Logistics centers by administrative region.
• Total number of warehouses by activity and administrative region.
• Postal and parcel sector data.
• Freight volume by transportation sector.
Completeness
The Warehousing and Logistics Statistics Publication is based on administrative records to provide comprehensive information on warehousing and logistics, with data presented in a complete form.
Accuracy and reliability
A measure that indicates how close the estimates or calculations are to the true or exact values that reflect reality.
Overall accuracy
• Data is checked with previous years to identify any significant changes in the data.
• The internal coherence of the data is checked before it is finalized.
• The relationships between variables are examined, and coherence across different data series is verified.
Timeliness and punctuality
A standard that measures the time gap between the availability of information and the occurrence of the event.
However, timeliness reflects the time difference between the date of data publication and the target date when it is actually published.
Timeliness
The General Authority for Statistics is committed to applying internationally recognized standards regarding the announcement and clarification of the time of publishing statistics on its official website, as well as adhering to the announced time of publication. In the event of any delay, updates will be provided accordingly.
Punctuality
The data are available at the expected time, as scheduled by the Tourism and Transportation Statistics Department. If the publication is delayed, reasons shall be provided by the department.
Coherence and comparability
A standard that refers to the necessity of internal and temporal coherence of statistics, their logical coherence, and their comparability and integration across different regions and sources.
Comparability - geographical
The data follow standardized international definitions and standards, ensuring their comparability both nationally and internationally.
Comparability - over time
Warehousing and Logistics Statistics began in 2023 as annual administrative records. The following are the main changes that have occurred in recent years:
• 2024:
The first Warehousing and Logistics Statistics Publication 2023 was published, with time series data for some indicators available from 2021.
Coherence- Cross domain
The same definitions and classifications are used when comparing warehousing and logistics data across different means of transportation, with a unified definition applied to the freight volume indicator in air transportation, maritime transportation, railway transportation, and road transportation publications. This harmonization helps ensure comparability across different publications and reinforces data coherence across the entire statistical domain.
Coherence- Sub-annual and annual statistics
Not applicable, as the Warehousing and Logistics Statistics are published only as an annual publication.
Coherence- National Accounts
Not applicable, as the Warehousing and Logistics Statistics do not target economic (financial) data.
Coherence- Internal
The warehousing and logistics data are characterized by internal coherence, as logical tests are applied to verify the compatibility of values across variables, reflecting internal coherence in Saudi Arabia's warehousing and logistics data.
Accessibility and clarity
The ability for users to access data, the availability of accurate or complete data, and the availability of a methodology and quality report.
Press releases
The announcements for each publication are available on the statistical calendar as mentioned in 9.1. The press releases can be viewed on the website of GASTAT on the link:
Press release
Publications
The General Authority for Statistics regularly issues publications and reports on Warehousing and Logistics Statistics according to a pre-prepared release schedule, and they are published on GASTAT's website. The Authority is keen to publish its results in a way that serves all types of users, including publications in various formats containing publication tables, data graphs, indicators, and methodology and quality reports in both English and Arabic.
The Warehousing and Logistics Statistics results are available on GASTAT's website:
Warehousing and Logistics Statistics
Online database
Not available.
Microdata accessibility
Not available.
References and standards
Warehousing and Logistics Statistics framework:
The General Authority for Statistics adopts a unified methodology in carrying out all its statistical work, according to the nature of each statistical product and survey. It relies on the Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM), which aligns with the procedures adopted by international organizations, and is implemented in coordination with GASTAT's internal departments and relevant authorities to ensure the quality and efficiency of statistical operations. For more details, you can refer to the Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM) via the following link:
Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM)
The methodology, definitions, and concepts used by Eurostat and the transportation statistics glossary were also applied. This glossary is the fourth edition of a document prepared by the joint working group between the Eurostat secretariats, the International Transport Forum, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, in addition to the statistical terminology glossary issued by ESCWA.
• Eurostat methodology
• Transportation statistics glossary
In addition, international experiences were reviewed, and their methodologies were adapted to align with Saudi Arabia’s vision for developing the logistics sector.
Quality assurance
GASTAT declares that it considers the following principles: Impartiality, ensuring that the statistical product is user-oriented, maintaining the quality of processes and outputs, the effectiveness of statistical operations, and reducing 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
GASTAT performs all statistical activities according to a national model (Generic Statistical Business Process Model—GSBPM). According to the GSBPM, the final phase of statistical activities is overall evaluation using information gathered in each phase or sub-process. This information is used to prepare the evaluation report, which outlines all the quality issues related to the specific statistical activity and serves as input for improvement 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
Warehousing and Logistics Statistics Publication is included in the statistical calendar.
Statistical Calendar
User access
One of GASTAT’s objectives is to better meet its clients' needs, so it immediately provides them with the publication's results once the Warehousing and Logistics Statistics Publication is published.
Customer questions and inquiries about 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).