Methodology and Quality Report for Structural Business Statistics 2025

Methodology and Quality Update

Latest Update on Methodology and Quality

28/10/2026

Statistical Presentation

Data description

Structural Business Statistics provides a set of indicators related to the business sector, such as: Operating revenues and expenditures, employee compensations, capital formations, as well as other economic indicators that are classified by economic activity.

These indicators serve as a fundamental tool for measuring the structure of the business sector and its growth rates, and they also represent a primary source of business statistics in the Kingdom, meeting the needs of local authorities as well as regional and international organizations.

The Structural Business Statistics Survey is conducted to collect data on the main characteristics as follows:

  • Economic activities practiced in establishments.
  • Revenues and operating expenses of establishments.
  • Transfer revenues and expenditures of establishments.
  • Employees and their compensation in establishments.

These data are used to provide indicators of:

  • Operating revenues by economic activity and establishment size.
  • Annual growth of operating revenues by economic activity and establishment size.
  • Operating expenditures by economic activity and establishment size.
  • Annual growth of operating expenditures by economic activity and establishment size.
  • Relative distribution of employees by economic activity.
  • Compensation of employees by economic activity and establishment size.
  • Salaries and wages by economic activity and establishment size.
  • Benefits and allowances by economic activity and establishment size.
  • Annual growth of employee compensation by economic activity and establishment size.
  • Annual growth of salaries and wages by economic activity and establishment size.
  • Annual growth of benefits and allowances by economic activity and establishment size.
  • Operating surplus by economic activity and establishment size.
  • Annual growth of operating surplus by economic activity and establishment size.
  • Gross fixed capital formation by economic activity.
  • Purchases of fixed assets by economic activity.
  • Sales of fixed assets by economic activity.
  • Annual growth of gross fixed capital formation by economic activity.
  • Annual growth of purchases of fixed assets by economic activity.
  • Annual growth of sales of fixed assets by economic activity.

Classifications

The following classifications are applied in Structural Business Statistics.

National Classification of Economic Activities (SSIC 2018).

It is a classification based on the International Standard of Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (SSIC) and is used to describe the productive activities of an establishment.

Saudi classification of products and services – based on the Central Product Classification (CPC 2.1): 

The Saudi classification of products and services – based on the Central Product Classification (CPC 2.1) issued by the United Nations Statistical Commission in 2018 – is a recognized standard for the collection and classification of products, including goods and services . This classification is used in areas such as industrial production, national accounts, international trade, and the balance of payments to support statistical standardization and facilitate comparisons.

Classifications are available on GASTAT's website: Classifications

Statistical concepts and definitions

Terms and concepts related to Structural Business Statistics:

  • Establishment:

An establishment is an economic unit with a legal entity (with a commercial registration) that engages in a specific economic activity and is owned by an individual, a group of individuals, a company, a semi-government sector, or an institution.

  • Main economic activity:

The main economic activity of an establishment is defined as all activities or services carried out or provided by the establishment that generate returns. In some cases, an establishment may not generate financial returns from its activities, such as charitable organizations that rely on donations. If an establishment carries out more than one economic activity, the activity that generates the highest revenue is selected as the main economic activity. The classification of economic activity for establishments is based on the National Classification of Economic Activities (SSIC).   

  • Operating revenues:

Revenues are all cash proceeds generated from an establishment’s engagement in its main economic activity or other secondary activities, such as the sale and marketing of its products, the provision of services to consumers, or trading in goods in general. They also include daily cash receipts from operations. These revenues comprise the total value of sales of manufactured products, in addition to other revenues that are not related to the establishment’s main economic activity but are associated with its secondary activities. Such revenues include income from services provided to others, proceeds from the sale of production waste, rental income from buildings and non-agricultural land, as well as income from leasing machinery and equipment, among others.

  • Operating expenses

They refer to the value of goods and services actually consumed by the establishment during the financial year as a result of carrying out its economic activity, whether these inputs were purchased during the same year or withdrawn from inventories acquired in previous years.

  • Compensation of Employees:

All amounts of wages, salaries, in-kind benefits, and social contributions payable to employees during the accounting period in return for the work they perform, whether paid in cash or in kind, before the deduction of any withholdings, such as social insurance contributions and similar items.

  • Salaries and wages:

All cash payments made periodically by an establishment to its employees in return for regular working hours, including any fixed allowances paid to them, before any deductions are made by the employer for employees' contributions to social security and pension schemes, or other employee obligations.

  • Benefits and allowances:

Cash and in-kind payments provided by the employer to employees, excluding salaries and wages. These payments include all types of benefits, such as scholarships and education expenses for employees or their dependents, as well as payments for food, housing, social insurance contributions, transportation allowances, and overtime allowances.

  • Operating surplus:

It equals gross output valued at basic prices minus intermediate consumption (goods and services inputs valued at purchasers’ prices), plus compensation of employees and consumption of fixed capital, and net indirect taxes (indirect taxes less production subsidies).

  • Fixed capital formation:

Fixed assets flows refer to movements in fixed assets that reflect the inflows and outflows of assets within an establishment. They include fixed assets acquired by the establishment for use in achieving its objectives, rather than for resale or for use as raw materials in its production processes, such as residential and non-residential buildings, transport equipment, furniture, machinery, and equipment.

  • Fixed assets purchased during the year (capital formations):

Fixed assets purchased by the establishment during the year for use in achieving its
purposes and not for the purpose of selling them or introducing them as raw materials in its production processes, such as buildings, lands, means of transportation, equipment,
machines, and furniture.

  • Fixed assets sold during the year (capital formations):

Fixed assets disposed of by the establishment during the year because they are no longer needed for operational processes or in order to achieve the establishment’s objectives. They include for example: Buildings, land, means of transport, machinery, equipment, and furniture.

Data sources

The main source of Structural Business Statistics data is the Structural Business Statistics Survey.

 The main indicators published according to this source are:

  • Operating revenues by economic activity and establishment size.
  • Annual growth of operating revenues by economic activity and establishment size.
  • Operating expenditures by economic activity and establishment size.
  • Annual growth of operating expenditures by economic activity and establishment size.
  • Relative distribution of employees by economic activity.
  • Compensation of employees by economic activity and establishment size.
  • Salaries and wages by economic activity and establishment size.
  • Benefits and allowances by economic activity and establishment size.
  • Annual growth of employee compensation by economic activity and establishment size.
  • Annual growth of salaries and wages by economic activity and establishment size.
  • Annual growth of benefits and allowances by economic activity and establishment size.
  • Operating surplus by economic activity and establishment size.
  • Annual growth of operating surplus by economic activity and establishment size.
  • Total gross fixed capital formation by economic activity.
  • Purchases of fixed assets by economic activity.
  • Sales of fixed assets by economic activity.
  • Annual growth of total gross fixed capital formation by economic activity.
  • Annual growth of fixed assets purchases by economic activity.
  • Annual growth of sales of fixed assets by economic activity

Designing the data collection tool

An electronic questionnaire was designed using Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) to ensure ease of use by field interviewers, Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) to facilitate telephone interviews with targeted respondents, and Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing (CAWI) to enable online data collection. Data were collected using a questionnaire developed and designed by specialists at the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), taking into account international recommendations, standards, and definitions. The questionnaire was also shared with relevant entities to obtain their feedback and comments. The questions were formulated using a systematic and scientific approach to ensure consistency in how interviewers ask questions.

The Structural Business Statistics Survey questionnaire consists of 10 sections, as follows:

  • First: Average number of employees.
  • Second: Employee compensation payable.
  • Third: Operating expenses (consumed goods and services inputs).
  • Four: Operating revenues and services provided.
  • Five: Percentage of e-commerce sales.
  • Sixth: Transfer expenditures.
  • Seventh: Transfer revenues.
  • Eighth: Non-financial assets.
  • Phase nine: Financial assets and liabilities.
  • Tenth: Imports and exports.

Review and correction rules:

Validation and consistency checks were incorporated into the questionnaire to ensure consistency, accuracy, and logical coherence of the collected data. These rules were designed by establishing logical relationships between responses, questions, and different variables to help the field researcher detect any errors directly during data entry.

To ensure the quality of the Structural Business Statistics Survey data, four types of validation and correction rules were established, as follows:

  • Navigation rules between sections and fields:

A total of 48 rules were programmed to control automatic navigation between questionnaire sections and fields based on the respondent's answers.

  • Error rules:

These rules cannot be bypassed during data entry. The interviewer must correct the data by consulting the respondent to verify its accuracy. There are more than 84 such rules.  

  • Warning rules:

These rules were established to verify the accuracy of the data entered by the field interviewer. The field interviewer may override these rules after confirming the accuracy of the entered data. There are 36 such rules.

  • Automated adjustment rules:

These rules were established to automatically sum values in certain fields or adjust responses in specific fields to ensure consistency with other questionnaires. There are 178 such rules.

Questionnaire test (cognitive test)

Cognitive testing of the Structural Business Statistics Survey questionnaire was conducted using a random sample of establishments selected for interviews. During the cognitive testing process, the following evaluation criteria were taken into consideration: (The overall concept of the question, clarity of the question wording, clarity of the terms used in the question, and appropriateness of the response options), culminating in a report providing a comprehensive summary of the cognitive testing results.

Statistical population

The statistical population of the Structural Business Statistics Survey consists of all establishments engaged in economic activities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that are included in the Business Frame. This frame serves as a comprehensive list of the units comprising the target population for this survey and other economic surveys conducted by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). It includes the classification of all establishments by economic activity at multiple levels, as well as establishment size, administrative region, and basic information used to design various economic survey samples. Accordingly, the sampling frame represents a comprehensive list of all establishments that meet the survey's eligibility criteria.

Sample design

The sample was designed using the stratified systematic random sampling method, in which a systematic random sample of establishments was selected for each stratum of the adopted sampling design.

Stratification:

To increase the efficiency of the sample and improve its representation of the target population, establishments in the sampling frame were classified into homogeneous strata. In order to obtain more accurate results compared to the simple random sampling method of the same size, and to ensure an adequate number of establishments at publishable levels, a three-level stratification approach was applied as follows:

  • Stratification at the 4-digit level of the National Classification of Economic Activities (SSIC).
  • Stratification by establishment size categories, which are:
  • Micro enterprises: Establishments with 1 to 5 employees.
  • Small enterprises: Establishments with 6 to 49 employees.
  • Medium enterprises: Establishments with 50 to 249 employees.
  • Large enterprises: Establishments with more than 249 employees.
  • Stratification at the level of administrative regions.

Sample size:

The sample size was calculated at the detailed classification level (4-digit level) of the National Classification of Economic Activities (SSIC) to ensure that accurate results can be produced at this level (the dissemination level). Given the importance of large and medium establishments, they were fully included in the sample with a selection probability of 100%.

Parameters used in estimating the sample size:

  • The total number of establishments in the sampling frame at the 4-digit level of the National Classification of Economic Activities (SSIC).
  • The arithmetic mean and variance at the 4-digit level of the National Classification of Economic Activities (SSIC) were used to estimate average operating revenues, based on data from the previous survey cycle (2024).
  • The design effect at the 4-digit level of the National Classification of Economic Activities (SSIC) was used to estimate average operating revenues, based on data from the previous survey cycle (2024).
  • The response rate at the 4-digit level of the National Classification of Economic Activities (SSIC) was used to estimate average operating revenues, based on data from the previous survey cycle (2024), with a hypothetical acceptable minimum threshold specified.
  • The allowable relative margin of error.
  • A confidence level was used .

The sample size for each study domain at the fourth level of SSIC was determined using the following equation:

Whereas:

  • nh: Sample size for each stratum h   (study domain).
  • Deffh: Estimated design effect for each stratum h  (study domain).
  • resph: Estimated response rate for each stratum h   (study domain).
  • Sh:  Standard deviation for each stratum h  (study domain).
  • α: Confidence level factor in estimating the indicator for each stratum h  (study domain).
  • reh: Allowed relative error in estimating the indicator for each stratum h  (study domain).
  • : Average of the indicator for each stratum h  (study domain).

  • Nh: Total establishments for each stratum  h (study domain) in the frame.

The output of the sample size calculation, using the previously referenced formula, was distributed across establishment size categories and administrative regions for each study domain. Subsequently, certainty establishments within the same stratum were excluded, as they were included with a 100% selection probability due to their importance. The remaining estimated sample size for each stratum was then allocated across the remaining size categories using power allocation.

This was followed by the final step of allocating the sample at the administrative region level using the Probability Proportional to Size (PPS) allocation method. This allocation method reduces the variance of sampling weights, thereby decreasing the variance of estimates and enhancing design efficiency, while specifying an acceptable minimum sample size for each final stratum. 

The calculations outlined above resulted in a total sample size of 86,029 establishments, distributed as shown in the tables below:

Table 1: Distribution of the survey sample at the 1-digit level (Section) of the National Classification of Economic Activities (SSIC):

Division identifier

Section

Number of establishments

A

Agriculture, forestry and fishing

1,068

B

Mining and quarrying

485

C

Manufacturing

11,896

D

Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply

280

E

Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities

1,379

F

Construction

9,641

G

Wholesale& retail trade

25,102

H

Transportation and storage

4,231

I

Accommodation and food service activities

4,074

J

Information and Communication

2,634

K

Financial and insurance activities

1,358

L

Real estate activities

1,355

M

Professional, scientific and technical activities

3,763

N

Administrative and support service activities

8,062

P

Education

1,439

Q

Human health and social work activities

2,171

R

Arts, entertainment and recreation

1684

S

Other service activities

5,407

Grand total

86,029

Statistical unit

The statistical unit in the Structural Business Statistics is the establishment.

Data collection

Survey data collection:

Structural Business Statistics data are collected through:

  • Computer-assisted Personal Interview (CAPI)
  • Computer-assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI).
  • Computer-assisted Web Interviews (CAWI).

Data collection frequency 

The collection of Structural Business Statistics data is conducted on an annual basis.

Reference area

The Structural Business Statistics covers all 13 administrative regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Riyadh, Makkah, Al-Madinah, Qassim, Eastern, Asir, Tabuk, Hail, Northern Borders, Jazan, Najran, Al-Baha, and Al-Jouf).

Reference period (time reference)

Reference period of the variables or dataset is as follows:

Data are collected from establishments included in the target sample during the designated survey implementation period in 2026, and the questionnaires are completed accordingly. The data are generally attributed to the fiscal year preceding the survey implementation period, which corresponds to 2025.

Base period

Not applicable, as Structural Business Statistics provides indicators on a regular basis to measure changes over time and are not calculated as index numbers that require comparison with a fixed base period.

Measurement unit

  • Most results are measured in thousands of Saudi riyals (such as Operating revenues and expenses, compensation of employees, operating surplus, gross fixed capital formation, purchases of fixed assets, and sales of fixed assets).
  • Some results are calculated as percentages, such as: Relative distribution of employees).

Time coverage

Structural Business Statistics results are available and comparable for the period from 2019 to 2025.

Publication frequency

Structural Business Statistics results are published annually in accordance with the approved statistical plan.

Statistical processing

Error detection

The data are reviewed and validated to ensure their accuracy in a manner appropriate to their nature, to enhance the quality and accuracy of the statistics produced. An example of this is the use of the IQR methodology (interquartile range), which is an internationally applied and widely practiced method for identifying outliers.

The calculation is done:

  • First quarter (Q1 / 25%): The mean of the lower half of the dataset.
  • Third quarter (Q3 / 75%): The mean of the upper half of the dataset.

The interquartile range measures the spread of the middle 50% of the data, highlighting values that differ significantly from the central tendency of the dataset.

The boundaries for outliers are determined as follows:

  • Lower Bound: First quartile - 1.5 * Interquartile range (IQR).
  • Upper Bound: Third quartile + 1.5 * Interquartile range (IQR).

Variables are identified as outliers if:

  • The variable is less than the minimum.
  • The variable is above the maximum threshold.

Following the outlier identification step, the business statistics team analyzes and evaluates the impact of outliers on the means by comparing the mean and median across specific characteristics of the dataset, using appropriate statistical measures and outlier analysis.

In addition to processing and tabulating data to ensure its accuracy, all outputs are calculated and stored in the General Authority for Statistics database, where specialists in the Business Statistics Department review and process them using modern technologies and purpose-built software.

Data integration and matching from multiple sources

Not applicable, as the product relies on a single primary data source only.

Imputation and calibration

Compensation (for non-response cases or incomplete datasets): 

The imputation method used in Structural Business Statistics applies to both complete non-response cases and missing data for specific variables. Re-interviews are allowed to obtain missing data from respondents or to address cases of non-response. Subsequently, missing data and non-response cases are assessed and addressed using a scientific methodology for estimating results, based on several criteria, most notably: historical time series, acceptable ranges for missing values, and estimates derived from stratum-level data.

Weighting:

The base sample weights are calculated based on the strata used in the sample design and allocation. The probability of selecting establishment i from stratum h is given by  Accordingly, the weight of the establishment selected in the sample is calculated as follows:

Non-response weight adjustment:

Weight adjustment to compensate for non-response or missing data to ensure proper representation of the sample. This adjustment is made after data collection and processing, once response statuses are known, according to the following equation:

represents the non-response adjusted weight in stratum (or adjustment class) h. The adjustment (or correction) factor for each stratum (or adjustment class) is calculated as follows:

 Where R represents the responses and NR represents the non-responses .

Procedures for calculating indicators:

Indicators are calculated after data processing, imputation, and the calculation of final sampling weights have been completed. The total for each variable within a stratum is estimated by multiplying the final value of each establishment by its final sampling weight and then summing the resulting values across all sampled establishments in that stratum, as shown in the following equation:

Where:

  • : Total of the variable in the stratum .

  • : Final sampling weight of the establishment .

  • :  Final value of the variable for the establishment.

  • : Establishments in the stratum .

The growth rate is calculated by comparing the result for the reference year with that of the preceding year, as follows:

Where:

  • : Growth rate (%) in the stratum. .

  • : Reference year.

  • : Year preceding the reference year.

Seasonal adjustments

Not applicable, only final results will be published.

Adjustment of preliminary results 

Not applicable, only final results will be published.

Resources used

Description

Total

Total employees (GASTAT employees and researchers).

940

Total number of days in the data collection period (end

date − start date).

49

Average number of interviews conducted daily (during data collection).

3

Quality dimensions

Suitability

A criterion indicating the extent to which the product meets users' needs.

User needs 

Internal users in the GASTAT for Structural Business Statistics data:

  • National accounts.

Several external users and beneficiaries who greatly rely on the Structural Business Statistics data, including:

  • Government entities.
  • Regional and international organizations.
  • Research institutions.
  • Media.
  • Individuals.

 Key variables used by external users:

Government entities.

  • Operating revenues by economic activity and establishment size.

  • Annual growth of operating revenues by economic activity and establishment size.

  • Operating expenditures by economic activity and establishment size.

  • Annual growth of operating expenditures by economic activity and establishment size.

  • Relative distribution of employees by economic activity.

  • Compensation of employees by economic activity and establishment size.

  • Salaries and wages by economic activity and establishment size.

  • Benefits and allowances by economic activity and establishment size.

  • Annual growth of employee compensation by economic activity and establishment size.

  • Annual growth of salaries and wages by economic activity and establishment size.

  • Annual growth of benefits and allowances by economic activity and establishment size.

  • Operating surplus by economic activity and establishment size.

  • Annual growth of operating surplus by economic activity and establishment size.

  • Total gross fixed capital formation by economic activity.

  • Purchases of fixed assets by economic activity.

  • Sales of fixed assets by economic activity.

  • Annual growth of total gross fixed capital formation by economic activity.

  • Annual growth of fixed assets purchases by economic activity.

  • Annual growth of sales of fixed assets by economic activity

Regional and international organizations.

Research institutions.

Media.

Individuals.

Completeness 

Data were collected from a representative sample of establishments to provide comprehensive indicators covering all targeted categories, sectors, and regions. The data were reviewed to ensure compliance with national requirements and international standards. Accordingly, Structural Business Statistics data are considered complete.

Accuracy and reliability 

A criterion that indicates the extent to which calculations or estimates approximate the exact or true values reflect reality.

Accuracy overview 

  • Data quality is enhanced through the selection of researchers based on a set of practical and objective criteria related to the nature of the work, as well as their qualification and training.
  • Alert, prevention, and correction rules are applied during the data collection process on the electronic questionnaire for the Structural Business Statistics to improve data quality.
  • The data is examined against previous years to identify any significant changes.
  • The internal consistency of the data is checked before it is finalized.
  • The links between variables are checked and coherence between different data series is confirmed.

Timeliness and punctuality 

Timeliness A criterion that indicates the length of time between the availability of information and the occurrence of the event.

Punctuality It reflects the time lag between the data publication date and the target date when publication actually occurs.

Timeliness 

GASTAT is committed to applying internationally recognized standards for the dissemination of statistics, including the timeliness standard established by the European Statistical System. GASTAT announces statistical release dates on its official website through the statistical calendar and adheres to the announced schedule. In the event of any delay, the calendar will be updated accordingly.

Punctuality 

The publication is done according to the publication dates in the statistical calendar published for the Structural Business Statistics on the GASTAT website page.

The data are available at the expected time, as scheduled in the statistical release calendar, If the publication is delayed, reasons shall be provided.

Coherence and comparability

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

Comparability – geographically

Statistical data related to the Wholesale and Retail Trade Statistics are fully comparable geographically within Saudi Arabia, as well as at the regional and international levels.

Comparability - over time 

The survey started in 2005 as an annual survey. The major changes that have occurred in recent years:

  • 2019:

GASTAT has transitioned to using administrative records to build and update the statistical business register in accordance with international practices, ensuring that the statistical frames can be updated on an annual basis. Annual editions of the Structural Business Statistics were provided accordingly up to 2022.

  • 2023:

Implementation of the comprehensive economic survey.

  • 2024:

Conducting Structural Business Statistics as a continuation of the previous survey series.

Coherence- cross domain

The data are consistent, as their coherence is verified against all other statistics containing similar indicators. These procedures contribute to ensuring integration and coherence across statistics, thereby enhancing data reliability and the quality of the analysis based thereon, and ensuring that the results are free from any unjustified inconsistencies.

Coherence- annual and sub-annual statistics 

Not applicable, as Structural Business Statistics are published annually, and no monthly or quarterly publications are published. 

Coherence- national accounts 

Structural Business Statistics data serve as a key input for national accounts outputs, and their consistency has been verified by cross-checking the results and information derived from related data sources and statistics.

Coherence- internal 

Estimates of Structural Business Statistics have full internal consistency, as they are all based on the same accurate dataset and are calculated using the same estimation methods.

Accessibility and clarity

Users’ ability to access data, the availability of microdata or aggregate data, and the availability of the Methodology and Quality Report.

News

Announcements for each publication are available in the statistical calendar, as mentioned in Section 10.1. Access to the statistical calendar and press releases can also be viewed on GASTAT’s website. 

News

Publications

GASTAT regularly issues the Structural Business Statistics publications and reports according to a pre-prepared dissemination plan and is published on GASTAT’s website.  The Authority is keen to disseminate its results in a manner that serves all types of users, including publications in various formats that contain dissemination tables and charts for data and indicators, the Methodology and Quality Report, and the questionnaires used, in both Arabic and English.

The results of the Structural Business Statistics are available at:

Structural business statistics

Online database

The data is published on the statistical database:

Statistical database

Microdata accessibility

Accurate data is unit-level disaggregated data obtained from multiple sources such as sample statistical surveys, general population and housing censuses, and administrative systems, providing detailed information about the characteristics of individuals, families, business entities, and geographical areas, supporting the construction and development of statistical indicators and scientific research.

Different types of microdata files are available to meet diverse information needs.

  • Public use: 

‌‌It consists of sets of records containing information on individuals, households, or business entities anonymized in such a way that the respondent cannot be identified either directly, such as by name, address, contact number, identity number, etc., or indirectly by combining different – especially rare – characteristics of respondents such as age, occupation, education, etc.

  • Scientific use:

These files are created using specific methodologies in response to data requests to extract datasets with defined characteristics for use in strategic studies, decision-making, and scientific research involving individuals, households, and companies, while ensuring that they contain no direct identifiers and are subject to confidentiality protection measures.

Qualified users who meet the standards and procedures of confidentiality protection can access the files of scientific use of microdata through GASTAT's "ITAHA" platform, while the most sensitive data for use is shared by visiting the microdata lab within a secure environment managed by GASTAT.

References and standards

The concepts, definitions, issues, and classifications in the Structural Business Statistics are based on the following international standards:

  • Methodological Manual on European Structural Business Statistics:

Methodology and Quality Report for Structural Business Statistics  

  • System of National Accounts 2008:

System of National Accounts 2008 

  • United Nations Statistics Division UNSD:

       United Nations Statistics Division UNSD

Quality assurance

GASTAT is committed to observing the following principles: Impartiality, ensuring that the statistical product is user-oriented, quality of processes and outputs, effectiveness of statistical processes, and reducing the burden on respondents. 

Data are validated through quality procedures and controls implemented at different stages of the process, such as data entry, data collection, and other final controls.

Quality assessment

GASTAT carries out all statistical activities in accordance with the National Model (Generic Statistical Business Process Model ,GSBPM). During the comprehensive evaluation phase, which is the final phase of the Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM), information collected at each phase or sub-process is used to prepare an evaluation report that summarizes all challenges related to the quality of each statistical process and serves as input to improvement and development procedures.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality – Policy

According to Article 11 of the Statistics Law issued by Royal Decree No. (M/29) dated 10/02/1447 AH, the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) is committed to maintaining strict confidentiality of all data collected and using such data solely for statistical purposes.

Data processing confidentiality

Data are presented in appropriate tables to facilitate their summarization, understanding, interpretation, and comparison with other data, and to derive statistical inferences about the study population. Presenting data in tables also makes it easier to refer to them without having to consult the original questionnaires, which often contain certain data, such as names and addresses of individuals, and names of data providers, which violates data confidentiality of statistical data.

“Anonymity of data” is one of the most important procedures. To keep data confidential, GASTAT removed information on individual persons, households, or business entities in such a way that the respondent cannot be identified either directly, such as by name, address, contact number, identity number, etc., or indirectly by combining different, especially rare, characteristics of respondents, such as age, occupation, education, etc.

Dissemination policy

Statistical calendar

Structural Business Statistics have been included in the statistical calendar.

Statistical Calendar

User accessibility

One of GASTAT's objectives is to better meet the needs of its clients. Therefore, GASTAT provides them with the results immediately upon the release of the Structural Business Statistics publication.

GASTAT also receives clients' questions and inquiries about the publication and its results through various communication channels, such as:

  • GASTAT’s official website: www.stats.gov.sa
  • GASTAT’s 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.
  • Unified number: (199009).