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The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) launched the “Road to Riyadh” program as part of the international preparations for the Kingdom’s hosting of the 6th UN World Data Forum, scheduled to take place in Riyadh in 9 -12 November 2026. The program’s first activities commenced on October 20, alongside the Second Statistical Forum for Universities and Statistical Associations in Jeddah, which coincided with World Statistics Day.
The program aims to enhance global awareness of the Kingdom’s pioneering role in the fields of data and statistics, and to highlight its efforts in leading digital transformation and developing the statistical ecosystem in support of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. It also aligns with the aspirations of Saudi Vision 2030 to build a knowledge-based economy driven by statistical data in collaboration with experts, institutions, and statistical agencies from around the world, contributing to knowledge exchange and the strengthening of international partnerships in the field of data and statistical indicators.
The “Road to Riyadh” activities include in-person and virtual sessions, seminars, and workshops held in several cities across the Kingdom. These events will take place throughout the year and will continue until the Second Saudi Forum for Statistics on November 8. Followed by the 6th United Nations World Data Forum, scheduled for 9–12 November 2026.
It is noteworthy that the “Road to Riyadh” program forms part of the General Authority for Statistics’ ongoing efforts to strengthen the Kingdom’s position in the statistical field and builds upon the achievements it has made in recent years, which have contributed to the Kingdom’s progress in multiple international indicators. GASTAT has also made the full program available on its official website.
 

General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released the Agricultural Statistics Publication 2024 results. According to the results, the total quantity of date production in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reached approximately 1,923 thousand tons in 2024, marking an increase of 1% compared to 2023, while the total number of palm trees exceeded 37.6 million, of which more than 32 million were fruitful trees. The results also indicated that total grain production reached 1,651 thousand tons in 2024, with wheat accounting for 71.9% of total cereal production at nearly 1,187 thousand tons, recording a decrease of 9.7% compared to 2023.
The results indicated that the cultivated area of open-field vegetables reached 89.7 thousand hectares, with a production volume of 2,745 thousand tons in 2024, marking an increase of 8.4% compared to 2023. Potatoes led in production volume at 624 thousand tons, followed by watermelon at approximately 612 thousand tons. The protected vegetable production reached 797 thousand tons in 2024, an increase of 10.6% compared to 2023, with the cultivated area covering 7.8 thousand hectares. The number of greenhouses planted with vegetables exceeded 121 thousand. Tomatoes led in production volume at 329 thousand tons, followed by cucumbers at over 232 thousand tons.
The publication further shows that the total area of organic agriculture in the Kingdom reached 24.1 thousand hectares in 2024. The area of organic and transitional farming for permanent crops (excluding palm trees) accounted for 12.5 thousand hectares, representing 52% of the total organic and transitional area. This was followed by organic and transitional farming for palm trees, which covered approximately 6.2 thousand hectares.
Total production of organic crops reached 98.3 thousand tons, marking an increase of 3% compared to 2023. Meanwhile, total imports of agricultural crops in the Kingdom reached 18,762 thousand tons in 2024, an increase of 10.8% compared to 2023, with grains accounting for the largest share at 72.1% of total imports. Total agricultural crop amounted to 506 thousand tons, representing an increase of 13% compared to 2023. Additionally, exports of fruits and edible nuts represented 72.1% of total agricultural crop exports in 2024.
 

General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released the Mineral Resources Statistics 2024 publication, which shows the latest developments in the mining and minerals sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The results indicated that the total number of discovered mineralization sites in the Kingdom reached 5,651 sites. Non-metallic minerals accounted for the largest share at 54.1% with 3,058 sites, followed by metallic minerals at 42.9% with 2,423 sites, while sites containing both metallic and non-metallic minerals accounted for 3.0% with170 sites.
The publication indicated that the number of issued mining licenses increased from 1,985 licenses in 2016 to 2,401 licenses in 2024, recording a cumulative growth of 21% during the 2016–2024 period. Building materials quarry licenses accounted for the largest group in 2024 with 1,481 licenses, followed by exploration licenses with 642 licenses, then exploitation licenses, which include building materials, mining, and quarrying with 215 licenses, while the number of reconnaissance licenses reached 41 licenses and surplus mineral ores reached 22.
Regarding the foreign trade of minerals, aluminum exports reached 283 thousand tons, accounting for 62.9% of the total aluminum trade flow, compared to imports, which amounted to 167 thousand tons at 37.1%. Lead exports recorded around 59 thousand tons, representing 93.7% of its total trade flow, while imports reached about 4,000 tons at 6.3%. As for zinc, its trade relied almost entirely on imports, which reached 88 thousand tons at more than 99.9%, while its exports did not exceed 6 tons. Furthermore, the trade movement of nickel was limited exclusively to imports, totaling 407 tons (100%).
The results further showed an increase in the Kingdom’s exports of phosphate fertilizers in 2024 to 5.7 million tons, compared to 5.4 million tons in the previous year, recording a growth of 4.6%. In contrast, imports of phosphate fertilizers reached 66.2 thousand tons in 2024, a decrease of 51.7% compared to 2023.
It is noteworthy that the 2024 Mineral Resources Statistics publication is the first edition issued by GASTAT in this field. Its data cover the number of discovered mineralization sites, issued mining licenses, and imports and exports of minerals and their products, based on data from GASTAT, in addition to administrative records from the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and the National Geological Database of the Saudi Geological Survey, within a time series covering the 2021–2024 period.
 

General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released GCC Market Indicators Report for 2024 results. The report is important as it supports the free movement of goods, services, capital, and labor among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, thereby reinforcing GCC’s objectives of promoting cooperation and integration in economic, social, and legislative fields. The report’s results showed an increase of 5.83% in the entry of GCC citizens into the Kingdom compared to 2023, with the total number of entrants reaching approximately 8.8 million, while the number of departures also reached 8.8 million.
The results indicated that the number of GCC-national students enrolled in public higher education institutions reached 988, while the total number of students in general education amounted to 5,036, reflecting the participation of GCC citizens at various educational levels within the Kingdom. The number of companies whose shares GCC citizens are allowed to trade in the Kingdom reached 247, corresponding to the total number of joint-stock companies in the Saudi stock market, with a total capital estimated at approximately 850 billion Saudi riyals, reflecting the full openness of the Saudi stock market to GCC citizens.
It is noteworthy that the GCC Market Indicators for 2024 results are based on administrative records issued by national authorities in the Kingdom, including the Ministries of Education, Health, Justice, Human Resources and Social Development, the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul), and the Saudi Central Bank. These data were collected and analyzed using precise methodologies and high-quality standards to ensure the reliability of the indicators and to support joint economic policies among the GCC countries.
 

 General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released the Household Energy Statistics 2024 results, which showed that total electricity consumption in the residential sector across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reached 161,207 gigawatt-hours (GWh). The results indicated that 100% of the population benefits from electricity services. Results further showed that 86.4% of households rely on gas for cooking, while 13.4% use electricity. The majority depend on gas cylinders at 97%, while 2.7% use gas tanks. Furthermore, statistics indicated that most households use iron gas cylinders at 93.9%, while the share of households using fiber cylinders reached 5.6%.
In terms of energy efficiency, the results indicated that 91.5% of households showed a significant intrest in conserving electricity, while 91.9% followed energy-saving guidelines when using electrical appliances. Meanwhile, 56.6% of households expressed willingness to replace old appliances with more energy-efficient ones, and 40.8% expressed interest in using solar energy as a source of power in their homes.
It is noteworthy that these results are based on data collected through field and phone surveys conducted by GASTAT, in addition to administrative records provided by the Ministry of Energy, ensuring the quality and accuracy of the data to support national policies related to household energy.

General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released the Household Environment Statistics 2024 results, which showed that most households in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have access to basic drinking water services, accounting around 100%. The results also indicated that 99.8% of households benefit from safely managed drinking water services. The results further showed that bottled water is the main source of drinking water at 47.3%, followed by public network water at 36.5%, whereas tanker water percentage was 15.8% 
The statistics also showed that 99.9% of households benefit from basic sanitation services, while safely managed sanitation services reached 89.5%. Urban areas recorded a coverage rate of 93.7%, compared to 59.3% in rural areas. In terms of waste management, the results indicated that 99.9% of households benefit from the safe management of basic waste collection services. while 43.9% of households dispose waste inside the home on a daily basis.
It is noteworthy that these results are based on data from field surveys conducted by GASTAT, in addition to administrative records provided by the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, ensuring the quality and accuracy of the data to support national policies and achieve sustainability goals.
 

أصدرت الهيئة العامة للإحصاء اليوم نشرتي إحصاءات التجارة الدولية السلعية لشهر سبتمبر 2025م، والربع الثالث من نفس العام. وكشفت نتائج نشرة شهر سبتمبر عن استمرار نمو الصادرات غير البترولية (شاملة إعادة التصدير) حيث سجلت ارتفاعًا بنسبة 21.7% في شهر سبتمبر  2025م مقارنةً بسبتمبر  2024م، كما ارتفعت الصادرات الوطنية غير البترولية (باستثناء إعادة التصدير) بنسبة 2.8%، ووفقًا لنتائج النشرة فقد زادت قيمة السلع المعاد تصديرها بنسبة 72.2%، كما حقَّقت الصادرات السلعية الكلية ارتفاعًا بنسبة 14.0%، مع ارتفاع الصادرات البترولية بنسبة 10.7%، لتتراجع نسبة الصادرات البترولية من إجمالي الصادرات إلى 68.4% مقابل 70.4% في سبتمبر  2024م.
أما الواردات السلعية فقد ارتفعت بنسبة 2.8%، وأسهم ذلك في تحسّن نسبة الصادرات غير البترولية إلى الواردات لتبلغ 42.5% مقابل 35.9%، في حين ارتفع الفائض في الميزان التجاري بنسبة 66.3% مقارنةً بالشهر نفسه من العام الماضي.
وتصدرت الآلات والأجهزة والمعدات الكهربائية وأجزاؤها قائمة سلع الصادرات غير البترولية بنسبة 25.7% من الإجمالي، تلتها منتجات الصناعات الكيماوية بنسبة 22.0%. في حين جاءت الآلات والأجهزة والمعدات الكهربائية وأجزاؤها في المرتبة الأولى بين الواردات بنسبة 30.5%. 
وبيّنت النشرة أن جمهورية الصين الشعبية هي الشريك التجاري الرئيس للمملكة، حيث استحوذت على 14.4% من إجمالي الصادرات و28.2% من إجمالي الواردات في سبتمبر 2025م.
من جانب آخر كشفت نتائج نشرة التجارة الدولية خلال الربع الثالث من عام 2025م عن استمرار نمو الصادرات غير البترولية بنسبة 19.4%، مقارنة بالربع المماثل من عام 2024م، بينما انخفضت الصادرات الوطنية غير البترولية بنسبة 0.4%، فيما ارتفعت قيمة السلع المعاد تصديرها بنسبة 69.6%.
في حين سجَّلت الصادرات السلعية الكلية ارتفاعًا بنسبة 9.5% مقارنةً بالربع الثالث من عام 2024م، كما ارتفعت الصادرات البترولية بنسبة 5.5%، بينما انخفضت نسبة الصادرات البترولية من مجموع الصادرات الكلي من 71.1% في الربع الثالث 2024م إلى 68.5% في الربع الثالث 2025م.
أما الواردات السلعية فقد ارتفعت بنسبة 7.5% خلال الربع الثالث من عام 2025م مقارنةً بالفترة ذاتها من العام الماضي، كما ارتفع الفائض في الميزان التجاري بنسبة 17.2%. هذا وقد ارتفعت نسبة الصادرات غير البترولية إلى الواردات حيث بلغت 40.3% مقابل 36.3% في الربع الثالث من عام 2024م.
وتصدرت الآلات والأجهزة والمعدات الكهربائية وأجزاؤها قائمة الصادرات غير البترولية بنسبة 26.9% من الإجمالي، تلتها منتجات الصناعات الكيماوية بنسبة 21.4%، في حين جاءت الآلات والأجهزة والمعدات الكهربائية وأجزاؤها كأكبر السلع المستوردة بنسبة 30.0%.
وقد بيّنت النشرة أن جمهورية الصين الشعبية كانت هي الشريك التجاري الرئيس للمملكة في الربع الثالث من عام 2025م، حيث استحوذت على 14.9% من إجمالي الصادرات و27.6% من إجمالي الواردات في هذه الفترة.
 

In a significant regional gathering focused on the future of data and statistics, Fahad Aldossari, President of the General Authority for Statistics, took part in a panel discussion titled “Insights of GCC Statistical Leaders: Toward an Integrated Data System for a Sustainable Future.” The session was held during the Third Gulf Statistical Forum hosted by the State of Qatar, which brought together a wide range of statistical leaders, experts, and decision-makers from GCC countries to strengthen collaborative statistical efforts and explore the evolving landscape of data in the region.
Aldossari highlighted the Kingdom’s comprehensive statistical transformation journey, underscoring that reliable statistical data serves as a central pillar in achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. He explained that GASTAT has, in recent years, implemented an extensive transformation plan focused on rebuilding the national statistical system and enhancing its digital infrastructure to improve data quality and accelerate production. He also noted GASTAT’s commitment to diversifying data sources, expanding data utilization, and adopting advanced international frameworks and standards to strengthen data consistency and elevate international comparability.
He concluded by emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s regional leadership in advancing statistical development and called for continued GCC cooperation to keep pace with the rapid advancements in data and its technologies.
The Gulf Statistical Forum is recognized as one of the region’s leading platforms dedicated to the statistics sector. It brings together statistical leaders, experts, and policymakers to discuss key developments, challenges, and opportunities in the data field, while supporting efforts to enhance national statistical systems and build capacities that promote sustainable economic and social development across the Gulf.
 

The Construction Cost Index (CCI) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia increased by 1.0% in October 2025 compared with the same month last year. This upturn is mainly driven by a 1.0% rise in residential construction costs and a 0.9% rise in non-residential construction costs, according to the October 2025 Construction Cost Index Publication issued by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).
Month-over-month, residential construction costs remained unchanged in October 2025 relative to September 2025. This stability reflects the steady monthly prices observed in both the residential and non-residential sectors, as neither recorded any notable rate of change.
It is noteworthy that the Construction Cost Index (CCI) tracks price movements of construction inputs across 51 goods and services, with prices collected monthly from regions across the Kingdom. The index uses 2023 as its base year and was introduced by GASTAT in mid-2024 as part of ongoing efforts to enhance statistical products for key sectors. The CCI provides a reliable and effective reference supported by precise estimates based on comprehensive analysis of key material costs, labor costs, equipment and machinery rental, and energy costs for both residential and non-residential sectors. The index aims to support informed decision-making for contractors, real estate developers, and relevant stakeholders and to contribute to shaping a clear roadmap for residential and non-residential construction projects within the construction sector.