GASTAT President receives a delegation from the UK Office for National Statistics to enhance statistical cooperation

GASTAT President Fahad Aldossari received, at GASTAT headquarters, a delegation from the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS), headed by Ms. Lucinda Eggleton and Ms. Alison Bailey, as part of the British side’s annual visit program. During the meeting, both sides discussed aspects of cooperation in the statistical fields.
In the same context, Fahad Aldossari reviewed during the meeting GASTAT’s efforts in digital transformation and the development of statistical methodologies in line with the latest international best practices, as well as its main statistical products, the innovation mechanism in data collection and analysis, and the integration of data sources to support decision-makers efficiently and effectively.
The visit included a tour of the Innovation Lab and the Statistical Surveys Operations Center, during which the delegation was briefed on the latest technical initiatives, the mechanism for monitoring indicators, and the integrated management of statistical operations. Technical sessions were also held during which the joint work plan for 2026 was discussed, and the priorities of cooperation between the two sides were identified.
This visit comes within the framework of activating the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two sides, reflecting the depth of the strategic partnership, which contributes to enhancing statistical capacities, exchanging expertise, developing statistical work, and supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
 

GASTAT President Fahad Aldossari opened the high-level workshop entitled “Big Data Policies”, organized by the International Monetary Fund in Riyadh on Monday, 19/01/2026. The workshop explored ways to leverage big data in support of macroeconomic statistics and enhance the quality of government decision-making.
The workshop aims to enhance high-level dialogue among senior officials from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region on integrating big data with official statistics and developing regional cooperation in innovative solutions. It also seeks to build institutional capacities in the use of data sources to support economic and development planning, as well as decision-makers and policy-makers.
During his participation, Aldossari reviewed the Kingdom’s key achievements in the field of data and statistics, highlighting the National Strategy for Statistical Development and the General Population and Housing Census 2022, which received wide recognition at both regional and international levels. He also referred to the Kingdom’s progress in several international statistical indicators in accordance with approved international classifications, as well as GASTAT’s efforts to enhance the technical infrastructure, adopt advanced analytical tools, and expand the scope of local and international partnerships, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, affirming the role and importance of big data in developing national statistical systems.
Aldossari concluded his participation by referring to the Kingdom’s ongoing preparations to host the prominent global event, the 6th United Nations World Data Forum (UNWDF), in November 2026, and the launch of the Road to Riyadh series of events. He highlighted the forums, seminars, workshops, and in-person and virtual dialogue sessions held during the past period and scheduled for the coming months, which aim to showcase the Kingdom’s readiness for hosting the forum, keep pace with rapidly evolving global developments in statistical work, and strengthen its strategic partnerships at both the regional and international levels. 
It is worth noting that GASTAT hosted members and representatives from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) who participated in the workshop to brief them on the Kingdom’s latest statistical developments, including initiatives and programs implemented throughout 2025.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), in collaboration with the UN Statistics Division, PARIS21, and Open Data Watch, organized a virtual panel discussion on Commit to Data, with the participation of a distinguished group of international leaders and experts in statistics, data, and development.
The panel discussion was held as part of Road to Riyadh events, a preparatory pathway for the 6th UNWDF 2026, which will be hosted in Saudi Arabia in November 2026. It aims to foster international partnerships, develop comprehensive and reliable data ecosystems, and translate commitments into sustainable development impact.
In his opening remarks, Fahad Aldossari, President of GASTAT, emphasized that committing to data is a key pillar for strengthening statistical governance, integrating statistical data, and supporting decision-making, while contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. He noted that hosting this panel discussion reflects GASTAT’s commitment to fostering multilateral collaboration in the data field and enhancing the role of statistics in addressing development challenges.
The panel discussion brought together Shantanu Mukherjee, Acting Director of the UN Statistics Division; Johannes Jütting, Executive Head of PARIS21; Shaida Badiee, Managing Director of Open Data Watch; Amelia Greaves, Senior Program Manager of the Equality Insights Program at the International Women’s Development Agency; Cyrus Darpoh, Senior Administrative Officer at the Ghana Statistical Service; Samuel Annim, Director of the African Centre for Statistics at the UN; Zehra Selçuk, Director General of the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC); Haitham Alghulaiga, Director General of International Partnerships at GASTAT; and Ian Rutherford from the UN Statistics Division.
Similarly, GASTAT showcased the strategic framework for Road to Riyadh events, highlighting the forums, seminars, workshops, and both in-person and virtual panel discussions held over the past period and planned for the coming months. These efforts aim to highlight Saudi Arabia’s readiness to host the Forum and demonstrate how its statistical work keeps pace with rapidly evolving global developments.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) today released the Short-Term Business Statistics publication for November 2025. According to the publication’s findings, the Operating Revenue Index for short-term businesses in the Kingdom recorded a 5.0% increase in November 2025 compared to the same month in 2024. This increase is primarily attributed to growth in several key economic activities. Manufacturing recorded a 6.5% rise, while wholesale and retail trade and vehicle repair activities grew by 9.5%. The construction sector also increased by 7.4%. In addition, financial and insurance activities, as well as information and communication activities, rose by 14.4% and 8.6%, respectively.
On the other hand, the Employee Compensation Index within the Short-Term Business Statistics recorded a year-on-year increase of 13.6%. This growth was driven by an 18.8% rise in manufacturing activities, a 4.7% increase in construction, and a 10.5% increase in wholesale and retail trade and vehicle repair activities. In addition, mining and quarrying activities grew by 15.0%, while financial and insurance activities increased by 9.5%.
It is noteworthy that the Short-Term Business Statistics product is among the most prominent newly released economic statistical products issued by GASTAT. This product aims to measure the short-term performance of various economic sectors through monthly indicators that track developments and growth rates across different activities. The product covers all the economic activities of establishments operating within the business sector across Saudi Arabia.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) today released the Real Estate Price Index publication for Q4 of 2025. According to the publication’s findings, the Real Estate Price Index in Saudi Arabia recorded a 0.7% decline in Q4 2025 compared to Q4 2024. This decline is primarily attributed to a 2.2% decrease in residential property prices, driven by a 2.4% decline in residential land prices, a 2.5% decrease in apartment prices, a 1.3% decrease in villa prices, and a 0.2% decrease in residential floor prices.
Quarterly, the Real Estate Price Index in Saudi Arabia recorded a decline of 0.4% compared to Q3 of 2025. This decline was driven by a 0.4% decrease in residential property prices and a 0.4% decrease in commercial real estate prices, while agricultural property prices fell by 0.7%.
It is noteworthy that the Real Estate Price Index is based on real estate transaction data from all administrative regions and is calculated quarterly using an updated methodology that incorporates geospatial artificial intelligence models and integrates data from multiple sources, thereby enhancing the quality and transparency of real estate price data in Saudi Arabia.
 

The annual inflation rate in Saudi Arabia reached 2.1% in December 2025, compared to December 2024, while it recorded a monthly increase of 0.1% compared to November 2025. In the same context, the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) increased by 3.1% in December 2025 compared to the same period in 2024 and rose by 1.0% on a monthly basis. It is worth noting that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) reflects changes in prices paid by consumers for a fixed basket of 582 goods and services, while the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) measures the price movements of goods at pre-retail stages, based on a fixed basket of 343 items.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), in collaboration with Open Data Watch and PARIS21, will co-organize a virtual panel discussion on Commit to Data on Tuesday, 20 January 2026, as part of Road to Riyadh events. It aims to strengthen international and cross-sector partnerships to support the development of resilient and sustainable data systems, promote sustainable financing to drive innovation across the statistical ecosystem, enhance capacity-building efforts within national statistical offices through skills development and knowledge exchange, and showcase the Commit to Data initiative.

General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) issued the Industrial Production Index (IPI) publication for November 2025. According to the preliminary results, the Industrial Production Quantity Index increased by 10.4% on an annual basis, compared with the same month in 2024. This growth was supported by the performance of mining and quarrying activities, manufacturing activities, as well as water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities. On a monthly basis, the index recorded a decrease of 0.7% compared with October 2025.
The sub-index for mining and quarrying activities registered an annual increase of 12.6% in November 2025, driven by higher oil production levels, which rose to 10.1 million barrels per day compared with 8.9 million barrels per day in November 2024. On a monthly basis, the sub-index increased by 0.5%.
It is worth noting that IPI reflects changes in the volume of industrial production quantities, based on data from the Industrial Production Survey conducted on a sample of establishments operating in mining and quarrying, manufacturing, electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply, as well as water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities. The data are classified according to National Classification of Economic Activities (ISIC4), and results are published on a monthly basis in accordance with approved statistical methodologies.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released today the results of Tourism Establishments Statistics for Q3 of 2025. The findings indicate that the hotel room occupancy rate reached 49.1% during Q3 2025, representing an increase of 2.9 percentage points compared to the same quarter of 2024, when the occupancy rate was 46.1%. In contrast, the occupancy rate for serviced apartments and other hospitality facilities stood at 57.4% in Q3 2025, compared to 58.0% in the corresponding quarter of 2024, reflecting a decline of 0.5 percentage points.
Results indicated that the total number of licensed tourism hospitality facilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia amounted to 5,622 facilities during Q3 2025, an increase of 40.6% compared to the same quarter of 2024, when the number reached 3,998 facilities. Serviced apartments and other hospitality facilities constituted 52.6% of the total, with 2,955 facilities, while hotels accounted for 47.4%, totaling 2,667 hotels.
The average length of stay for hotel guests during Q3 2025 was approximately 4.1 nights, recording a decrease of 1% compared to the same quarter of 2024, when the average stay was 4.2 nights. Meanwhile, the average length of stay for guests in serviced apartments and other hospitality facilities reached about 2.1 nights during the same period, declining slightly by 0.2% compared to Q3 2024, according to the publication.
The publication also revealed that the total number of employees engaged in tourism activities during Q3 2025 reached around 1,009,691, marking a growth of 6.4% compared to the same quarter of 2024, when employment totaled 948,629 employees. Saudi employees accounted for 245,171 employees, representing 24.3% of the total, while non-Saudi workers numbered 764,520, or 75.7%. In terms of gender distribution, male employees totaled 875,658, accounting for 86.7% of the total, whereas female employees numbered 134,033, representing a participation rate of 13.3%.
It is worth noting that the Tourism Establishments Statistics for Q3 2025 are compiled from multiple sources to ensure comprehensive coverage of tourism activities in the Kingdom. These sources include administrative records, statistical surveys, and secondary data.
 

Pursuant to Council of Ministers’ Resolution No. (11) dated 13/01/1437 AH, approving the Regulations of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), as the entity responsible for statistics and the sole official reference for conducting statistical work. GASTAT announces the commencement of its statistical activities and field, telephone, and self-reporting surveys in the economic, social, and environmental and spatial domains. These activities are being carried out across Saudi Arabia’s regions, including cities and their affiliated governorates, to collect accurate data for the 2026 statistics.
These surveys target individuals, households, and establishments across the public, private, and non-profit sectors, aiming to collect accurate and comprehensive data that supports decision-making, and the formulation of evidence-based development policies. In conducting these activities, GASTAT employs the latest data collection methods and internationally recognized statistical practices, ensuring the quality and accuracy of its statistical outputs.
It is noteworthy that GASTAT provides the necessary statistical information and data as part of its vital national role, contributing to the monitoring of performance indicators for Saudi Vision 2030 and measuring progress toward achieving SDGs.
In addition, GASTAT urges all individuals, households, and establishments targeted by these surveys to respond and cooperate in fulfilling this national duty by providing updated data. GASTAT also emphasizes that all collected information is kept strictly confidential in accordance with official regulations and is used solely for statistical purposes, following the principles and standards governing statistical work. For inquiries, GASTAT has provided a unified contact number (199009).
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) reported that the value of Saudi Arabia’s services exports reached SAR 58.2 billion in Q3of 2025, while the value of services imports into Saudi Arabia amounted to SAR 120.8 billion during the same period.
According to the publication’s results, travel services ranked first among the Saudi Arabia’s  services exports, with a value of SAR 33.8 billion, followed by transport services in second place at SAR 9.7 billion. On the imports side, transport services ranked first with a value of SAR 32.3 billion, while travel services came second at SAR 30.8 billion.
GASTAT emphasized that it adopts a statistical methodology based on international best practices, in accordance with the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM6) and the Extended Balance of Payments Services Classification (EBOPS 2010). Data quality is ensured through the treatment of missing values and the review of internal and temporal consistency, in line with internationally recognized standards and practices.
 

Results of the Digital Economy Survey 2024 indicated an increase in the digital economy’s share in Saudi Arabia’s GDP, reaching 16.0% compared to 15.6% in 2023, an increase of 0.4 percentage points. According to the digital economy classifications, the core digital economy contributed 2.7%, while the narrow digital economy accounted for 2.4%. The broad digital economy represented the largest share, amounting to 10.9% of GDP.
Publication’s results indicated that the operating revenues of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector reached SAR 249.8 billion in 2024. Telecommunications activities recorded the highest revenues, amounting to SAR 133.9 billion, followed by computer programming activities with revenues of SAR 31.1 billion.
Operating expenditures for the sector totaled SAR 122.2 billion, while employee compensation reached SAR 29.2 billion. Telecommunications activities also ranked first in this category, with compensation amounting to SAR 16.1 billion.
In terms of foreign trade, the results indicated an increase in imports of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) goods from SAR 54.9 billion in 2023 to SAR 67.9 billion in 2024, representing a growth rate of 23.5%. Telecommunications equipment accounted for the largest share of these imports, with a value of SAR 36.8 billion.
Meanwhile, the value of exports and re-exports of ICT goods rose significantly, reaching SAR 25.8 billion in 2024 compared to SAR 11.8 billion in 2023, reflecting a growth rate of 118%
It is noteworthy that Digital Economy Statistics are based on a unified methodological framework that follows the Statistical Business Process Model and adheres to the international standards outlined in the Handbook on Measuring the Digital Economy issued by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD, 2020). The methodology is also aligned with the G20 roadmap for measuring the digital economy. The digital economy is classified into three levels: core, narrow, and broad according to the nature of economic activities and the extent of their reliance on digital inputs.
 

The results of the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Statistics for Q3 of 2025 indicated that net inflows reached SAR 24.9 billion, representing an increase of 34.5% compared to the same quarter of the previous year, amounting SAR 18.5 billion. Net inflows also recorded a 5.2% increase compared to the previous quarter, during which they totaled SAR 23.7 billion. According to the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Statistics publication for Q3 of 2025 issued by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). 
Publication’s results indicated that FDI inflows reached approximately SAR 27.7 billion in Q3 of 2025, representing a 4.4% increase compared to the same quarter in 2024, reaching SAR 26.5 billion. In addition, inflows rose by 3.3% compared to the previous quarter, during which they totaled SAR 26.8 billion.
Publication’s results indicated that FDI outflows amounted to approximately SAR 2.7 billion in Q3 of 2025, reflecting a decrease of 65.7% compared to the same quarter of 2024, reaching SAR 8.0 billion. In addition, outflows declined by 11.4% compared to the previous quarter, reaching SAR 3.1 billion.
It is noteworthy that FDI reflects a long-term relationship and a permanent interest of economic entities residing in an economy other than the Saudi economy. This means that an individual foreign investor or a group of foreign investors owns 10% or more of the voting power of shareholders’ rights.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) issued the Waste Accounts publication for 2024. According to its results, the quantity of recorded waste generated from various economic activities, in addition to household waste, reached 135.1 million tons, compared with 111.4 million tons in 2023.
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing activity recorded the highest quantity of waste at 46.9 million tons, followed by construction activity at 32.2 million tons, then households at 20.5 million tons. Waste generated by manufacturing industries amounted to 18.3 million tons during 2024.
Results also showed that organic waste constituted the largest share of total recorded waste in 2024, accounting for 45.7%, with a quantity of 61.7 million tons. This was followed by construction materials waste at 22.8% and plastic waste at 5.8% of total waste.
In addition, industrial sector waste increased to 26.7 million tons, compared with 22.1 million tons in 2023. Waste from manufacturing industries accounted for 68.6% of total industrial sector waste, followed by waste from mining and quarrying at 26.4% and waste from electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply at 5.0%
Waste Accounts publication was prepared in accordance with the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) Central Framework issued by the United Nations Statistics Division. It is based on data from GASTAT, as well as administrative data from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and the National Center for Waste Management.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released the results of the Labor Market Statistics for Q3 of 2025, which showed a year-on-year decline in the unemployment rate and a notable improvement in females’ participation in economic activity indicators. The survey results indicated that the unemployment rate among Saudis reached 7.5% in Q3 of 2025, down by 0.3 percentage points compared to Q3 of 2024.
The publication’s results also showed a year-on-year decline in unemployment among Saudi females, reaching 12.1% and down 1.5 percentage points compared to Q3 of 2024. This reflects the effectiveness of programs and initiatives aimed at supporting women’s empowerment and enhancing their employment opportunities.
The results also indicated an increase in the Saudi males’ economic participation rate, reaching 64.3% an increase of 0.3 percentage points. Meanwhile, the employed Saudi females rate rose by 3 percentage points over the past five years to reach 29.7% reflecting positive shifts in the structure of the Saudi labor market.
The total labor force participation rate reached 66.9% reflecting a quarterly decline of 0.2 percentage points, while marking a year-on-year increase of 0.3 percentage points. Meanwhile, the employment-to-working-age population ratio stood at 64.6% marking a decrease of 0.4 percentage points compared to Q2 of 2025, while recording a year-on-year rise of 0.5 percentage points compared to Q3 of 2024.
GASTAT emphasized that these indicators reflect the ongoing national efforts to develop the Saudi labor market and provide opportunities for social engagement in building a thriving economy while achieving balance and sustainability in the labor market. This aligns with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and its related programs focused on human capital development and fostering economic growth.
 

President of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), Fahad Aldossari, met today with Chairman of Najran Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Bader Hamod Almojel, to discuss potential cooperation between the two parties in exchange of statistical data and information. The meeting took place during a visit by a GASTAT delegation to the region.
The discussion focused on the importance of collaboration in their respective fields, leveraging accurate statistical indicators to support development plans, and improving the efficiency of commercial and industrial projects in the region, in line with the goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
This meeting reflects GASTAT’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its strategic partnerships with entities and institutions across all sectors, utilizing its statistical outputs to support national initiatives and objectives and advance development across various regions of Saudi Arabia.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) is participating alongside the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in celebrating Gulf Statistics Day, held annually on 24 December. This year’s celebration comes under the theme “Unified Data for Shared Vision”, reflecting the commitment of GCC statistical ecosystems to advancing statistical work and enhancing its role in supporting comprehensive development plans and achieving the objectives of national visions across the Council’s member states.
This year’s celebration continues the GCC countries’ efforts to build advanced statistical data ecosystems that provide accurate and harmonized statistics, enhancing the effectiveness of public policies, and supporting decision-making to meet sustainable development objectives. Gulf Statistics Day serves as an annual occasion to highlight the importance of the statistical sector and its pivotal role in shaping the developmental future of the GCC countries, as well as to raise public awareness of the value of statistical data as a key element in development, growth, and progress.
In this context, the President of GASTAT, Fahad Aldossari, emphasized that Gulf Statistics Day underscores the GCC countries’ commitment to enhancing statistical integration. He noted that harmonizing statistical data and unifying production methodologies constitute a fundamental pillar for achieving a shared vision based on a strong economy and sustainable development, in partnership with GCC statistical ecosystems, alongside the development of national transformation plans and modern methodologies for data production.
It is noteworthy that during its 141st session, held in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, on November 24, 2016, the GCC Ministerial Council approved the designation of an annual Gulf Statistics Day. The initiative aims to strengthen community partnerships with statistical authorities, highlight the vital role of statistics in supporting sustainable development, and underscore the strategic role of the Gulf data system in shaping policies and guiding developmental decision-making across the region.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) and Najran University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening institutional collaboration and integrating efforts in statistics, research, and statistical studies. The MoU was signed during a visit by a GASTAT delegation to Najran Region, where the delegation also met with H.R.H. the Governor of Najran Region and several officials from relevant entities.
The MoU was signed by GASTAT President, Fahad Aldossari, and Najran University President ‏Prof. Abdulrahman Alkhedhairi‏. It seeks to enhance cooperation between the two parties through the exchange of expertise and knowledge transfer, the establishment of a general framework for joint activities and tasks, and the development of institutional capabilities, in support of shared goals and interests.
The cooperation covers the exchange of technical and knowledge-based expertise in areas of mutual interest, joint research, studies, and publications, and enabling staff from both sides to participate in professional development programs, seminars, scientific conferences, and workshops. It also includes support for innovation, the development of joint initiatives, and the application of best practices in research and statistical studies. In addition, the MoU provides cooperative training opportunities for Najran University graduates in line with GASTAT policies, as well as collaboration in raising awareness of statistical work and data analysis.
This MoU reflects GASTAT’s ongoing efforts to expand its partnerships with public and private sector entities, contributing to the advancement of statistical work and the achievement of national objectives.
 

GASTAT’s President met today at the Municipality headquarters with the Mayor of Najran Municipality, Eng. Saleh Alghamdi to discuss potential areas of collaboration, particularly in the exchange of data and statistical information that support planning and urban development in the region.

During the meeting, both parties discussed the importance of integration within their respective areas of expertise and the effective use of accurate statistical indicators to enhance the efficiency of projects and services, in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

It is worth noting that this meeting comes as part of GASTAT’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its strategic partnerships with government entities and institutions across all sectors, leveraging its statistical products to support national initiatives and targets and to advance development priorities across the various regions of the Kingdom.

H.E. the Minister of Economy and Planning and Chairman of the Board of Directors of GASTAT, Faisal F. Alibrahim, inaugurated a virtual workshop titled “Statistical Practices: Saudi statistical data… a pivotal role in supporting national development”. The workshop is organized by GASTAT as part of Road to Riyadh events in preparation for Saudi Arabia’s preparations hosting of the 6th UNWDF in November 2026.
In his opening speech, H.E. emphasized that this workshop represents an important step in strengthening the role of statistical data as a fundamental basis for national policy-making, formulating development plans, and measuring their impact. He highlighted that the integration of government efforts in developing a national statistical ecosystem that serves decision-makers, enhances transparency, and improves government performance. H.E. also stressed the importance of statistical data in monitoring Saudi Arabia’s progress toward achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and SDGs, affirming that statistics have become a strategic enabler to support flexible decision-making that keeps pace with global economic and social changes.
During the workshop, the President of GASTAT, Fahad Aldossari, delivered a detailed presentation on GASTAT’s transformation journey over the past years. He reviewed the pre-transformation phase, during which GASTAT provided around 50 statistical products, and highlighted the post-transformation phase, which marked a major leap in the statistical product system, now exceeding 80 products. Furthermore, he discussed the development of existing products, the implementation of modern methodologies aligned with international standards, and the increased frequency, level of detail, and statistical coverage of publications.
He also emphasized that the Council of Ministers approval of the Statistical Law represented a pivotal milestone in the development of the statistical ecosystem, enhancing the governance of statistical work and organizing roles and responsibilities in line with international best practices. He highlighted GASTAT’s key roles in collecting comprehensive data and information from various sources, producing and developing official statistics, publishing them, and providing them to government entities, private establishments, individuals, and international organizations.
Furthermore, he highlighted key statistical products issued by GASTAT, including GDP, industrial production index, international trade statistics, household income and expenditure survey, housing statistics, labor market statistics, and transportation and renewable energy statistics, emphasizing the role of these products in supporting decision-makers with accurate and reliable indicators.
In addition, he highlighted GASTAT’s efforts to facilitate access to statistical data, increase compliance with statistical publication to 94% and raise the number of website users to 8.5 million in 2025. He also noted the development of the website and the launch of the Microdata Lab as an advanced electronic service designed to meet clients’ requests using the best and fastest technological means.
Moreover, he highlighted Saudi Arabia’s success in securing the hosting of the 6th UNWDF 2026 in Riyadh. He noted Saudi Arabia’s membership in the High-level Group for Partnership, Coordination and Capacity-Building for statistics (HLG-PCCG) and its co-chairing of the Data Governance Working Group. Also, he emphasized GASTAT’s efforts to strengthen community and scientific partnerships through the Saudi Statistical Forum, the Universities and Statistical Associations Forum, and the launch of Saudi Arabia’s first specialized statistics Innovation Lab.
Additionally, he emphasized the progress achieved in institutional performance, noting that the Digital Transformation Measurement Index rose to 86% in 2025. He also highlighted programs for developing future leaders and Saudi statisticians, the transition to accrual-based accounting, the achievement of the Expenditure Efficiency Index, and advancement in the assessment of performance management practices from the transitional stage to the advanced stage.
Moreover, he addressed future focus areas, which include the growth and expansion of statistics, enhancing the use of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, leveraging new data sources, supporting statistical innovation, raising awareness, and building statistical capacity through training programs and the provision of statistical certifications for users, students, and professionals. These efforts aim to strengthen statistical literacy and increase the utilization of national data.
It is noteworthy that this workshop is part of a series of ongoing efforts by GASTAT within Road to Riyadh events, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s readiness to host the 6th UNWDF in 2026 and reinforcing its leading role in the development of statistical work at both regional and international levels.