GASTAT signs cooperation agreement with STC Group

In the presence of His Excellency Dr. Fahad Aldossari, President of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), and Eng. Olayan bin Mohammed Alwetaid, CEO of STC Group, GASTAT signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with STC Group. This agreement aims to enhance their collaboration, coordinate efforts to strengthen and diversify sources of statistical information and data, integrate to achieve shared objectives, and facilitate the exchange of expertise in their respective fields.
MoC was signed by Mr. Rami bin Ahmed Ghurab, General Supervisor of Data Management and Partnerships, on behalf of GASTAT, and Mr. Amir Al-gabrini, CEO of Regulatory and Compliance Affairs represented STC Group.
Dr. Fahad Aldossari, President of GASTAT, stated that the statistical work undertaken by GASTAT is a crucial contributor to achieving national targets. He emphasized that cooperation with STC Group will help diversify data sources, which are essential inputs for statistical products and play a vital role in improving their quality.
This initiative is part of GASTAT's efforts to foster collaboration with various public and private sector institutions and entities. The goal is to provide statistical data and indicators and enhance service levels using the latest modern technological means, all within the framework of activating digital transformation, supporting the national economy, and promoting sustainable development to contribute to achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

Industrial Production Index (IPI) recorded a 1.5% increase in May 2025 compared to May 2024. This rise was driven by increased activity in mining and quarrying activity , manufacturing activity and water supply, sewerage and waste management and remediation activities, according to IPI publication issued by GASTAT.

The publication's results showed a 2.1% annual increase in the sub-index for mining and quarrying, and a 0.9% rise in the sub-index for manufacturing. However, the sub-index for electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply decreased by 7.7%. Conversely, the sub-index for water supply, sewerage, and waste management, and remediation activities significantly increased by 15.5% year-on-year.
Furthermore, the publication indicated an annual increase in both the oil activities index (0.5%) and the non-oil activities index (3.8%).
GASTAT publishes the Industrial Production Index monthly. It measures relative changes in industrial production quantities based on data from the industrial production survey. This survey is conducted on a selected sample of establishments operating in targeted industrial sectors, including mining and quarrying, manufacturing, electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply, and water supply, sewerage, and waste management, and remediation activities.
 

The General Authority for Statistics has released the Tourism Establishments Statistics Publication for Q1 of 2025. According to the publication’s findings, the hotel room occupancy rate reached approximately 63% during the quarter, marking an increase of 2.1 percentage points compared to Q1 of 2024. The occupancy rate in serviced apartments and other hospitality facilities stood at 50.7% in Q1 of 2025, representing a decrease of 3.8 percentage points compared to the corresponding quarter of 2024.

The publication further indicated that the average daily room rate in hotels was about 477 SA during Q1  of 2025, reflecting a decrease of 3.4% compared to the same quarter in 2024. Meanwhile, the average daily room rate in serviced apartments and other hospitality facilities was approximately 209 SA during the same quarter, representing an increase of 7.2% compared to Q1 of 2024.

The results also showed that the average length of stay for hotel guests was about 4.1 nights during Q4 of 2024, which is the same as in the corresponding quarter of 2024. The average length of stay in serviced apartments and other hospitality facilities was around 2.1 nights during the same quarter, showing a decrease of 4.5% compared to the corresponding quarter of 2024.

The total number of employees in tourism activities reached 983,253 during Q1 of 2025, an increase of 4.1% compared to the same quarter of 2024. The number of Saudi employees was 243,369, representing a participation rate of 24.8%, while the number of non-Saudi employees was 739,884, accounting for 75.2% of the total workforce in tourism activities.

The publication’s findings also revealed that the number of male employees in tourism activities was 853,852, representing 86.8%, while the number of female employees was 129,401, accounting for 13.2% of all employees in tourism activities during Q1 of 2025.

Furthermore, the publication indicated that employees in tourism activities represented 5.4% of the total workforce in the economy during Q1 of 2025, a decrease of 0.3 percentage points compared to the corresponding quarter of 2024. The percentage of employees in tourism activities within the private sector was 8.1%, a decrease of 0.6 percentage points compared to Q1 of 2024.

It is worth noting that the data for the Tourism Establishments Statistics for Q1 2025 is based on several sources to provide comprehensive information about tourism activities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These sources include administrative records, statistical surveys, and secondary data.

In the presence of Her Excellency Dr. Inas bint Suleiman Al-Issa, Deputy Minister of Education; Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Aldossari, President of the General Authority for Statistics; the Ministry’s Undersecretary for Planning, Eng. Saad bin Abdulgh  
 ani Alghamdi; the Secretary-General of Education Departments, Mr. Hamad bin Nasser Alwahaibi; along with several directors of education departments and leaders and staff , the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) held a ceremony to honor the winning education departments in the Statistical Knowledge Competition. The first edition of the competition was organized in partnership with the Ministry of Education in 2024 and witnessed significant engagement, with the participation of 243,245 male and female students from 16 education departments across various regions and governorates of the Kingdom.
The competition results revealed that the General Administration of Education in Riyadh Region had the highest level of participation, with 46,635 students taking part, accounting for 21.0% of the total participants. They were followed by students from the General Administration of Education in Taif Governorate, with 38,953 participants (17.5%), and then by the Eastern Region’s General Administration of Education in third place, with 38,030 students representing 17.1% of the total. Meanwhile, 20,183 students from the General Administration of Education in Makkah Region participated, placing fourth with a percentage of 9.1%. Students from Qassim Region’s General Administration of Education came in fifth, with 17,692 participants, accounting for 8.0% of the total.
For his part, Dr. Fahad Aldossari, GASTAT President, praised the fruitful partnership between the Authority and the Ministry of Education in his remarks. He commended the efforts of the education departments that secured top ranks based on student participation levels in the Statistical Knowledge Competition, noting that these efforts led to outstanding results for this distinguished initiative.

Aldossari added that “The Statistical Knowledge Competition was launched to enhance statistical awareness among students and to develop their skills in critical thinking and informed engagement with data and statistical indicators from reliable sources.” He also expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to His Excellency Mr. Yousef Al-Benyan, Minister of Education, for the strong support the program received under his leadership, as this support played a vital role in the success of the first edition. He also expressed his hope that the second edition of the competition, set to launch in the upcoming academic year, will be even more successful and impactful. He noted that it will serve as a renewed opportunity to strengthen awareness of statistical work and highlight its important role in individual lives and the success of various development programs.
It is worth noting that the second edition of the Statistical Knowledge Competition will be launched during the upcoming academic year 1447H. This launch will coincide with the global celebration of World Statistics Day, which is held every five years. The Statistical Knowledge Program includes a variety of activities, such as leveraging school broadcasts to raise students’ awareness of the importance of statistical work and its role in development. It also features field visits by GASTAT staff to schools, where they deliver hands-on and enrichment programs. Additionally, the program provides specialized knowledge guides covering statistical terms, occupational classifications, and number-writing policies. It also explains key concepts such as statistical indicators and trains students on how to use statistical data sources, ultimately supporting sustainable development and advancing the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
 

The General Authority for Statistics has released the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Publication for Q1 of 2025. According to the results, net FDI inflows reached SAR 22.2 billion, marking a 44% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year, while recording a 7% decrease compared to Q4 of 2024.
The publication also showed that outward FDI flows from the Kingdom’s economy amounted to approximately SAR 1.8 billion during Q1 of 2025, a 54% decrease compared to the same quarter last year, despite a 7% increase compared to Q4 of 2024. Meanwhile, inward FDI flows into the Kingdom's economy reached around SAR 24.0 billion in Q1 of 2025, representing a 24% increase compared to the same quarter last year, when the inflows were approximately SAR 19.4 billion. However, this also represents a 6% decrease compared to the previous quarter of the same year.
It is worth noting that foreign direct investment reflects a long-term relationship and sustained interest by entities resident in an economy other than Saudi Arabia. This typically involves the foreign investor, either individually or jointly with other foreign investors, owning 10% or more of the voting power in the shares of an enterprise.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released today the Labor Market Statistics Publication for Q1 of 2025. According to the results, the overall unemployment rate (including Saudis and non-Saudis) stood at 2.8%, while the overall labor force participation rate reached 68.2%. The labor force participation rate for Saudis increased to 51.3%, compared to Q4 of 2024.

The publication showed a rise in labor force participation among Saudi males, reaching 66.4%, accompanied by a decline in their unemployment rate to 4%. It also highlighted the success of women’s empowerment initiatives, which contributed to increased female economic participation and enhanced their role in driving growth and sustainable development. The labor force participation rate for Saudi females rose to 36.3%, while their unemployment rate dropped to 10.5%, compared to the previous quarter.

Among young Saudi women (15–24 years), the employment-to-population ratio increased to 14.6%, and their labor force participation rose to 18.4%. Meanwhile, the employment-to-population ratio for young Saudi males declined to 29.2%, with their labor force participation falling to 33.0%. Their unemployment rate dropped to 11.6% compared to Q4 of 2024. These changes are attributed to improvements in labor market policies, driven by the robust performance and growing attractiveness of the Saudi labor market.
Regarding core working-age Saudis (25–54 years), the employment-to-population ratio rose to 65.9%, and the labor force participation rate increased to 69.6%, while the unemployment rate declined to 5.4%. For Saudis (55 years and older), both the unemployment rate and labor force participation rate decreased compared to the previous quarter of 2024.
 
According to the publication, the unemployment rate among Saudis reached a historic low of 6.3% in Q1 of 2025. Likewise, unemployment among Saudi women has declined by more than 11 percentage points since 2021, reaching 10.5%, reflecting the Saudi labor market’s growing capacity to provide economic opportunities for its citizens amid supportive policies focused on development and employment.
The most common job search method was directly approaching employers, used by 75.8% of job seekers, followed by using the national unified employment platform (Jadarat) at 74.6%, while 64.5% of job seekers reported posting or updating their resumes on professional social media platforms. 
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) has released today International Merchandise Trade Statistics publication for April 2025. According to the publication’s findings, the total merchandise exports amounted to SAR 90.3 billion, marking a decline of 10.9% compared to April 2024. Meanwhile, non-oil exports (including re-exports) increased by 24.6%, reaching SAR 28.4 billion compared to April 2024.
Imports also rose in April 2025, reaching SAR 76.1 billion, an increase of 18.3%. As a result, the trade balance surplus decreased to SAR 14.2 billion, reflecting a drop of 61.7% compared to April 2024.
The publication’s results showed an increase in the ratio of non-oil exports (including re-exports) to imports, which stood at 37.2% in April 2025 compared to 35.4% in April 2024. On the other hand, the share of oil exports in total exports declined from 77.5% in April 2024 to 68.6% in April 2025.
According to the publication, chemical industry products were among the top non-oil export commodities, amounting to SAR 6.0 billion and accounting for 26.4% of total non-oil exports. As for imports, the leading commodity group was machinery, electrical equipment, and parts thereof, which recorded SAR 21.1 billion and made up 26.0% of total imports.
The publication also indicated that the People’s Republic of China remained the Kingdom’s top trading partner. Exports to China totaled SAR 11.4 billion, representing 12.6% of total exports in April 2025, while imports from China reached SAR19.0 billion, accounting for 25.0% of total imports.
It is worth noting that international trade statistics rely on administrative records from Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (for non-oil trade) and the Ministry of Energy (for oil trade). The Kingdom’s imports and exports are classified according to the 2022 Harmonized System (HS) for the Description and Coding of Goods.
 

The United Nations has announced the election of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Authority for Statistics, as a member of the High-Level Group for Partnership, Coordination, and Capacity-Building for Statistics for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (HLG-PCCB).
This announcement affirms the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to develop an advanced statistical system based on innovation, quality, and openness, and reflects its commitment to continuing its role in promoting transparency and providing accurate statistics to support development policies in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
The group is one of the high-level committees operating under the umbrella of the United Nations and plays a pivotal role in leading and coordinating global efforts related to the follow-up and implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It does so through strengthening national statistical capacities, enhancing international partnerships, overseeing preparations for the United Nations World Data Forum (UNWDF), developing global statistical data strategies, and making recommendations to boost financial investments in statistical infrastructure, stimulate innovation, and ensure the sustainability of statistical systems to consistently produce accurate data in the long term.
Saudi Arabia’s membership will contribute to supporting international cooperation, enhancing the exchange of expertise with member countries, and activating new partnerships with international organizations and national statistical offices around the world. It will also further the Kingdom’s efforts to build an advanced statistical ecosystem rooted in innovation, quality, and openness, reaffirming its commitment to transparency and to providing accurate statistics that support development policies aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.
It is worth noting that the 39th meeting of the group was held earlier today, with the participation of Dr. Fahad Aldossari, President of the General Authority for Statistics. During the meeting, he welcomed the Kingdom’s upcoming hosting of the High-Level Group’s meeting, scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia this November. He also presented the Kingdom’s preparations for hosting the United Nations World Data Forum (UNWDF) in Riyadh, November 2026 and discussed several other topics related to international conferences on sustainable development.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) issued the Hajj Statistics Publication for the year 1446 H / 2025. According to the publication’s results, the number of workers serving pilgrims during the 1446H/2025 Hajj season from both the public and private sectors, including security sectors, reached 420,070 workers, serving a total of 1,673,230 male and female pilgrims. Of these workers, 92% were male, while 8% were female.
Meanwhile, the number of male and female volunteers within the holy sites reached 34,540, who contributed a total of 2,134,398 volunteer hours during the 1446 H / 2025 Hajj season.
The publication also revealed that 314,337 male and female pilgrims benefited from the "Makkah Route Initiative" this year, representing 20.9% of all external pilgrims. These pilgrims arrived from eight countries. The initiative, which began during the 2017 Hajj season, aims to facilitate travel procedures for pilgrims arriving to perform the Hajj rituals.
It is worth noting that on 9 Dhul-Hijjah 1446 H (June 5, 2025), the General Authority for Statistics announced that the total number of pilgrims reached 1,673,230, including 1,506,576 external pilgrims who arrived through various entry points, and 166,654 internal pilgrims comprising both citizens and residents.
GASTAT’s statistical results for this year's Hajj also indicated that the number of male pilgrims was 877,841, while the number of female pilgrims was 795,389 out of the total number of internal and external pilgrims
It should be noted that the General Authority for Statistics relied in issuing the Hajj Statistics Publication on administrative records provided by the Ministry of Interior, which included the number of pilgrims, their detailed characteristics, and the services provided within the temporal and spatial boundaries of the pilgrimage. These data were collected, analyzed, and classified according to the statistical procedures followed over the past five years.
 

Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Aldossari, President of the General Authority for Statistics, officially received the hosting rights for the 6th UN World Data Forum 2026 on behalf of Saudi Arabia. This announcement came at the conclusion of the 5th edition of the forum, held in Medellín, Colombia, from November 12 to 15, 2024. The forum gathered representatives from 193 UN member states. The High-Level Group for Partnership, Coordination, and Capacity-Building in Statistics welcomed Saudi Arabia’s selection as the host for the next forum in Riyadh, following its success in securing the majority vote within the group. The Kingdom’s outstanding bid and capabilities were commended by the group. This achievement highlights Saudi Arabia’s leadership in statistical work and the significant advancements in its statistical system. It also reflects the impact of the Kingdom’s data in demonstrating its role in supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
On this occasion, Dr. Fahad Aldossari, extended his congratulations, on behalf of himself and GASTAT employees, to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Prime Minister. He expressed gratitude for the support and empowerment GASTAT has received in recent years, which has significantly strengthened its local and international presence, enabling it to excel in statistical work and compete on the global stage. Aldossari noted that Saudi Arabia’s successful bid to host the 6th UN World Data Forum in Riyadh in 2026 reflects the Kingdom’s significant advancements across various sectors, including its statistical system. He emphasized that the event presents a valuable opportunity to share technical expertise in statistics and establish strategic partnerships with national statistical offices worldwide.
In his speech, Aldossari expressed his gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Colombia, the United Nations, and the National Department of Statistics (DANE) for hosting and organizing this global event. He also extended his appreciation to all representatives of national statistical offices, the program team, and members of the HLG-PCCB for their dedication and hard work in preparing the program. He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's commitment, through the General Authority for Statistics, to enhancing the quality and transparency of statistical data across various fields. He highlighted the Kingdom’s exemplary leadership and outstanding performance in the region, underscoring its pivotal role in advancing statistical excellence.

The UN World Data Forum is a major international event attended by over 20,000 participants, including representatives from governments, national statistical offices, international and regional organizations, civil society, academia, and the private sector. The forum serves as a platform to discuss challenges facing the global data and statistics system and to foster collaboration among policymakers and experts from around the world. It reflects the growing level of cooperation across diverse data systems and underscores the critical importance of data and statistics.
It is worth noting that Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Authority for Statistics, will host the 6th UN World Data Forum in 2026 in Riyadh. The High-Level Group for Partnership, Coordination, and Capacity-Building in Statistics for the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda (HLG-PCCB) announced Saudi Arabia’s selection by majority vote, following a review of competing countries’ bids and an assessment of their hosting capabilities. This decision reflects the Kingdom’s prominent global standing and its pivotal role in advancing efforts to provide high-quality data and statistical indicators. It also highlights the exceptional contributions of the General Authority for Statistics to the field of statistical work, reaffirming the Kingdom’s leadership in the global statistical community.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report for the first quarter of 2025. According to the publication’s results, real GDP achieved a growth rate of 3.4% compared to the same quarter of 2024, driven by a 4.9% growth in non-oil activities, in addition to a 3.2% growth in government activities, while oil activities recorded a decline of 0.5%. Meanwhile, seasonally adjusted real GDP rose by 1.1% compared to the fourth quarter of 2024.

The results also showed that non-oil activities are the main driver to the annual real GDP growth, contributing 2.8 percentage points. Additionally, government activities and net taxes on products contributed positively by 0.5 and 0.2 percentage points, respectively.

It is worth noting that most economic activities achieved positive annual growth rates. Wholesale and retail trade, restaurants, and hotels recorded the highest growth rates during the first quarter of 2025, reaching 8.4% year-on-year and 0.7% quarter-on-quarter.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) announced the official statistics for Hajj 1446H, reporting a total of (1,673.230) pilgrims. Of these, (1,506,576) pilgrims arrived from outside the Kingdom through various entry points, while (166,654) were citizens and residents pilgrims, including both Saudi citizens and residents. According to GASTAT’s statistical release, the number of male pilgrims, both internal and external, reached (877,841), while the number of female pilgrims totaled (795,389). GASTAT also revealed that a total of (1,435,017) pilgrims arrived in the Kingdom through airports, while (66,465) pilgrims entered via land border crossings, and (5,094) pilgrims arrived through seaports. 
It is worth noting that the General Authority for Statistics has relied on administrative records from the Ministry of Interior as the primary source for data and statistical indicators related to the Hajj season of 1446H / 2025. This approach aims to provide high-accuracy and reliable register-based data for Hajj statistics, using a standardized model that includes several key components. This methodology is a continuation of the statistical approach adopted over the past five years. 
As the Kingdom’s official statistical authority, GASTAT is the exclusive provider of official statistics in Saudi Arabia that is entrusted with overseeing all national statistical activities. Its responsibilities include providing technical supervision, conducting field surveys and research, performing data analysis, and managing the documentation, preservation, and tabulation of statistical information across all sectors of life in the Kingdom. 
On this occasion, His Excellency Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Aldossari, President of GASTAT, extended his sincere appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and to His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister, for their unwavering support and comprehensive care provided to the pilgrims. He also prayed to Allah Almighty to accept the pilgrims’ Hajj and to grant continued success to all government entities in delivering outstanding services.

To view the executive summary of Hajj statistics 1446 AH, please visit the following link:

https://www.stats.gov.sa/documents/d/guest/hajj-report-1446h-en-1-

أصدرت الهيئة العامة للإحصاء اليوم نشرة إحصاءات التجارة الدولية السلعية لشهر مارس 2025 والربع الأول من العام ذاته، والتي كشفت عن استمرار نمو الصادرات غير البترولية. وأظهرت نتائج النشرة أن الصادرات غير البترولية (شاملة إعادة التصدير) سجلت ارتفاعًا ملحوظًا بنسبة 13.4% خلال الربع الأول 2025 مقارنةً بالربع المماثل من عام 2024، كما حققت نموًا بنسبة 10.7% في مارس 2025 مقارنة بمارس 2024، ما يعكس اتساع مساهمة القطاعات غير النفطية في التجارة الخارجية للمملكة. في حين أن الصادرات السلعية الكلية سجلت انخفاضًا بنسبة 3.2% في الربع الأول من عام 2025 مقارنةً بالفترة ذاتها من عام 2024، بينما بلغت نسبة الانخفاض في شهر مارس 9.8%. 
أما الواردات السلعية فقد ارتفعت بنسبة 7.3% خلال الربع الأول 2025، وبنسبة 0.1% في مارس 2025، مقارنةً بالفترات المماثلة من العام السابق. في حين تراجع الفائض في الميزان التجاري بنسبة 28% في الربع الأول، وبنسبة 34.2% خلال شهر مارس. 
وأوضحت نتائج النشرة تحسّن نسبة الصادرات غير البترولية إلى الواردات، حيث بلغت 36.2% في الربع الأول من 2025 مقابل 34.3% في الربع الأول من 2024، كما ارتفعت النسبة في شهر مارس لتصل إلى 36.5% مقابل 33% في مارس 2024. في المقابل، تراجعت نسبة الصادرات البترولية من إجمالي الصادرات الكلية إلى 71.8% في الربع الأول 2025 مقارنة بـ 75.9% في نفس الفترة من 2024، وإلى 71.2% في مارس مقارنة بـ 76.5% في مارس 2024.
وتصدرت "منتجات الصناعات الكيماوية" قائمة سلع الصادرات غير البترولية، حيث شكلت 23.8% من إجمالي الصادرات غير البترولية في الربع الأول، و25.7% في مارس 2025. في حين كانت "الآلات والأجهزة والمعدات الكهربائية وأجزاؤها" أكبر السلع المستوردة، بنسبة 25.8% في الربع الأول، و26.1% في مارس. 
وبيّنت النشرة أن جمهورية الصين الشعبية لا تزال الشريك التجاري الرئيس للمملكة، حيث استحوذت على 15.7% من إجمالي الصادرات و26.6% من إجمالي الواردات في الربع الأول 2025، بينما بلغت نسبتها في شهر مارس 15.5% للصادرات و25.3% للواردات.
تجدر الإشارة إلى أن إحصاءات التجارة الدولية السلعية تعتمد على السجلات الإدارية من هيئة الزكاة والضريبة والجمارك فيما يخص البيانات غير البترولية، ومن وزارة الطاقة للبيانات البترولية، وتُصنف السلع وفقًا للنظام المنسق لتوصيف السلع الأساسية وترميزها 2022.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) revealed that the digital economy’s share of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased to 15.6%, marking a 1.6% rise compared to 2022. This is according to the results of the 2023 Digital Economy Statistics Publication, issued today.
The publication indicated that imports of information and communications technology (ICT) goods recorded a notable increase, reaching SAR 54.9 billion in 2023 compared to SAR 45.8 billion in 2022, an increase of 19.9%. Conversely, exports and re-exports of the same technologies grew by 76.1%, rising from SAR 6.7 billion to SAR 11.8 billion during the same period.
The publication further highlighted that 71.6% of internet-connected establishments are leveraging smart devices or internet-enabled systems. These include advanced technologies such as smart alarm systems, smart meters, smart lighting, and surveillance cameras. 
From a financial perspective, the ICT sector reported substantial performance in 2023, with operating revenues reaching approximately SAR 236.4 billion. Operating expenditure stood at SAR 115.4 billion, while total employee compensation amounted to SAR 27.5 billion.
In terms of digital economy stratification, the core level, which comprises enterprises engaged in the direct production of ICT goods and services, contributed 2.6% to GDP. The narrow level, which includes businesses that depend primarily on digital inputs for their operations, accounted for 2.3%. Most notably, the broad level, representing entities that utilize digital technologies to substantially enhance their products and services, contributed 10.7%. 
It is worth noting that this survey is based on international standards outlined in the Handbook on Measuring Digital Economy Statistics issued by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), ensuring the international comparability of the indicators published by the Kingdom.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released Air Transport Statistics Publication 2024, which showed a notable increase in both passenger and air cargo traffic across the Kingdom’s airports compared to 2023. The total number of passengers at Kingdom’s airports exceeded 128 million, marking a 15% increase compared to the previous year, according to the publication.

International flight passengers surpassed 69 million, representing a 14% rise from 2023, while domestic flight passengers exceeded 59 million, an increase of 16% from the same year. King Abdulaziz International Airport topped the list in terms of passenger numbers, receiving around 49 million passengers with a growth rate of 14%, followed by King Khalid International Airport, which handled 37.6 million passengers with an 18% increase. King Fahd International Airport came third, serving 12.8 million passengers with a 15% rise. The average daily number of domestic flight passengers at Kingdom’s airports reached approximately 162 thousand, while the average number for international flights stood at around 189 thousand, the report noted. 

Regarding air cargo, total cargo volumes reached 1.2 million tons in 2024, recording a 34% increase compared to 2023. March was the peak month for cargo traffic, with a total of 123 thousand tons. The cargo volumes were distributed as follows: 64 thousand tons of outbound cargo, 720 thousand tons of inbound cargo, and 407 thousand tons of transit cargo.

The total number of aircraft in the Kingdom’s fleet reached 361 in 2024, representing an 11% increase compared to 2023. Commercial aviation fleet recorded the highest share, with 258 aircraft, an increase of 12% over 2023, and a capacity of more than 250 passengers, totaling 97 aircraft. Meanwhile, the general aviation fleet included 103 aircraft, marking a 7% increase. 

It is worth noting that the Air Transport Statistics Publication is published annually by GASTAT to provide accurate data and indicators on the air transport system in the Kingdom, including passenger movement, flights, and cargo operations across both commercial and general aviation sectors, in support of development efforts within the air transport industry.
 

GASTAT's President, Dr. Fahad Aldossari, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Professor Markus Sovala, Director General of Statistics Finland of the Republic of Finland, in the presence of His Excellency the Minister of Economy and Planning, Chairman of GASTAT’s Board of Directors, Mr. Faisal Alibrahim, and His Excellency the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Mr. Bandar Alkhorayef, during the Saudi Statistics Forum organized by GASTAT in the capital Riyadh, on April 27-28, 2025

MoU aims to enhance cooperation between the two parties, improve coordination and integration of efforts in statistical work, establish a general framework for joint activities and tasks, and develop institutional capacities to serve the strategic objectives of both parties. It includes several areas of cooperation, notably: exchanging technical and knowledge-based support and expertise according to the specialization of each party, exchanging programs focused on promoting statistical awareness, developing communication strategies with the public, and organizing conferences, seminars, and workshops.

The Saudi Statistics Forum is the first of its kind and aims to discuss important statistical topics, highlight the positive impact of the statistics sector in supporting the Kingdom's path of progress and sustainable development, and reinforce the importance of data and statistics in raising awareness among members of society.

GASTAT's President, Dr. Fahad Aldossari, received today at GASTAT headquarters in Riyadh an official delegation from the UAE’s FCSC, headed by Ms. Hanan AHLI, Director of the Center.
At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Aldossari welcomed the visiting delegation, stressing the depth of the brotherly relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and the importance of bilateral cooperation between the two statistical agencies in the two brotherly countries to support the march of statistical work and develop national capabilities to achieve the goals of sustainable development and the ambitious vision of the two countries.
An expanded meeting was also held between the two sides, during which some topics of common interest in the fields of statistical work were discussed, most notably: exchanging experiences in developing modern statistical methodologies, enhancing integration in collecting and analyzing statistical data, developing mechanisms for producing strategic indicators to support decision-making, reviewing best practices in making open data available and ensuring its quality, and discussing future cooperation opportunities in statistical innovation and modern analytical techniques such as artificial intelligence and big data analysis. The two sides also reviewed the most prominent national achievements made by the Kingdom and the UAE in the field of official data development and the efforts made to improve data quality and expand the use of statistics to support development plans and national visions.
At the end of the meeting, GASTAT's President expressed his appreciation for the visit of the UAE delegation, pointing out the importance of enhancing statistical cooperation between the two countries through practical initiatives that contribute to the exchange of knowledge and expertise, enhance GCC statistical integration, and support building an advanced knowledge economy based on accurate and reliable data. The two sides also affirmed their commitment to continue joint work to explore new areas of statistical cooperation to enhance the position of the two countries in the regional and international arena.

The Saudi Statistics Forum concluded its work on its last day with three-panel sessions that addressed some key topics and themes in the statistical sector, with the participation of some representatives of international organizations, local and international experts, and decision-makers.
On the second and final day, a panel discussion entitled “Modern Methods of Innovation and Statistical Development” was held in which participants talked about the role of innovative technologies in changing and modernizing the way data is produced, collected, and analyzed across various fields; employing remote sensing techniques and satellite images in geographical and agricultural statistics; using statistical methods to analyze future trends and forecasts; raising awareness of the automation of statistical processes; and the role of statistical innovation in increasing the level of confidence in official statistics.
The fourth-panel discussion was devoted to the topic: “The Role of The Private Sector in Producing Statistical Data” in which some specialists in the statistical sector discussed the role of the private sector in supporting and producing statistical data and integration between statistical institutions and data users, in addition to the importance of the contribution of private sector components from private companies and institutions in providing data and producing statistics related to the private sector or the national development scope in general, and the challenges it faces in producing and providing high-quality data, the importance of big data and statistical analysis innovations in improving the quality of economic estimates and indicators and opportunities to enhance partnership with the private sector.
The last session reviewed “Enhancing the Relationship between Statistical Agencies and Data Beneficiaries” and discussed ways to enhance the relationship between statistical offices and users by facilitating access to data and indicators of statistical products and providing them in multiple formats and various services and emphasizing the continuous work to develop the level of relationship and communication by offering platforms capable of presenting data in a safe manner and various digital formats supported by graphs, tables, and explanatory designs according to the best local and international practices, standards, and technologies.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released today the results of the Industrial Production Index (IPI) for March 2025, which showed a 2.0% increase in the overall index compared to the same month of the previous year.
According to the publication, manufacturing activities recorded a notable year-on-year growth of 5.1%, while the water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities rose by 15.0%. In contrast, mining and quarrying activities decreased by 0.2%, and electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply activities declined by 0.9%.
At the level of major economic classifications, oil-related activities increased by 0.5%, while the non-oil activities recorded a 5.6% rise compared to March 2024.
It is worth noting that the General Authority for Statistics issues the Industrial Production Index on a monthly basis to measure the relative changes in industrial production volumes. This is based on data from the Industrial Production Survey, which is conducted on a selected sample of establishments operating in targeted industrial sectors, including: mining and quarrying, manufacturing, electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply, and water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) announced the launch of the second edition of the Saudi Statistician Program. This initiative aims to attract outstanding graduates from local and international universities, and qualify them academically and professionally to become promising national cadres in the fields of statistics and data science.
The program objective is to enable Saudi talents to pursue their higher studies at top global universities in certain fields including statistics, applied statistics, and data science, with full financial support that covers tuition fees, training, and monthly allowances. This support enhances the competitiveness of national talents in both the local and global labor markets.
Accepted candidates will undergo several integrated developmental stages, starting with basic training, which includes training in statistical programming languages, developing personal and technical skills, and job rotation, before moving on to academic scholarship and then returning to apply the expertise they have gained and contribute to implementing the National Statistics Strategy.
This program represents one of the strategic steps to build a specialized national elite capable of enhancing the quality of statistical work in the Kingdom and strengthening its global competitiveness, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, and the principles of sustainability, governance, and digital transformation.
GASTAT welcomes all those who have passion and excellence and who meet the program requirements. Interested applicants can visit GASTAT’s website for more details and information .

https://careers.stats.gov.sa/en/job-search-results/?