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The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) has announced the release of the Construction Cost Index (CCI) publication in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as part of its continuous efforts to develop statistical products for key sectors and to provide a reliable and effective reference supported by accurate estimates.
This release is based on a comprehensive analysis of the costs of key construction components, including materials, labor, equipment and machinery rentals, and energy, for both the residential and non-residential sectors.
The publication aims to support decision-making processes for contractors, real estate developers, and relevant stakeholders and to contribute to outlining a clear roadmap for residential and non-residential construction projects within the building and construction sector.
In the same context, the results of CCI Survey for September 2025 showed an annual increase of 0.7% compared to the same month of the previous year.
This increase was mainly driven by higher construction costs in the residential sector, which rose by 0.8%, and in the non-residential sector, which increased by 0.6%.
The results of CCI Publication for September 2025 indicated that the index remained stable monthly compared to August 2025.
Construction costs for both the residential and non-residential sectors recorded relative stability during September 2025.

General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released the Physical Activity Statistics publication in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2025, which showed that 59.1% of the Kingdom’s population (18 years and above) engage in physical activity for (150 minutes or more) per week. The prevalence among males was 66.5%, while among females it was 43.1%. According to the publication, the age group (18–29) years had the highest participation in physical activity at 71.2%, whereas individuals (80 years and above) had the lowest participation, not exceeding 3.5%
In the same context, transport-related physical activity, including walking or cycling, ranked first among adults engaging in physical activity at 57.1%, followed by work-related physical activity at 43.9%, while non-work-related physical activity ranked last at 37.8%. The report also covered the daily time spent by adults (18 years and above) sitting or lying down, excluding sleep.
The results also showed that 19.0% of children and adolescents (5–17 years) engage in physical activity for (60 minutes or more) daily, with 23.3% of males and 14.4% of females meeting this threshold. Regarding the time spent by children and adolescents in sedentary or non-physical activities, the results indicated that 34.6% spend one to two hours daily sitting or engaging in sedentary non-physical activities, such as watching television or using electronic devices, excluding school time.
It is worth noting that the estimates in the Physical Activity Statistics publication are based on self-reported data from individuals or their caregivers. The publication presents physical activity indicators through self-reporting by the Kingdom’s adult population (18 years and above) and children and adolescents (5–17 years). The accuracy of the data relies on the results of the National Health Survey, the Women and Child Health Survey for 2025, along with population estimates from GASTAT for 2025.

On behalf of His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region, His Highness Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, Governor of Jeddah, inaugurated today the Second Statistical Forum for Universities and Statistical Associations, organized by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) at the Conference Center of the University of Jeddah. The event brought together a distinguished group of experts, specialists, representatives of scientific associations, and academics and researchers in the fields of statistics and data-related sciences.
Upon His Highness’s arrival, the national anthem was played, followed by a recitation from the Holy Qur’an. Then, the President of GASTAT, Fahad Aldossary, delivered a speech emphasizing the vital role of statistics in the national development journey. He noted that the forum serves as a distinguished scientific platform for the exchange of experiences and best practices between academic and professional institutions, contributing to the advancement of research and academic programs, statistical methodologies, and the promotion of statistical innovation through the use of modern technologies and strategic partnerships.
In his speech, Aldossary announced the launch of the “Road to Riyadh” program, which represents the preparatory phase for the Kingdom’s hosting of the Sixth United Nations World Data Forum 2026, scheduled to be held in Riyadh in November 2026. The program aims to raise global awareness of the Kingdom’s pioneering role in the field of statistics and to highlight its efforts in leading digital transformation and developing the statistical ecosystem to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the aspirations of Saudi Vision 2030 toward building a knowledge-based, data-driven economy.

The program will span a full year leading up to the forum and will include workshops, events, and local, regional, and international panel sessions, with the participation of leading experts, institutions, and statistical bodies from around the world. It will also continue beyond the conclusion of the forum to ensure the sustainability of its outcomes, maximize its impact, and solidify its achievements in the long term.
At the conclusion of his speech, Aldossary also announced the launch of the second cycle of the Innovation Lab projects, following the positive results achieved in the first cycle. He emphasized the lab’s role in enabling researchers and specialists to develop innovative statistical projects and solutions that align with the ongoing developments in the statistical community, meet the requirements of Saudi Vision 2030, and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He also invited researchers and statisticians to apply and participate in this new cycle.
His Highness witnessed the signing of six memoranda of cooperation between GASTAT and the following institutions: King Abdulaziz University, Taif University, King Khalid University, Imam Mohammad ibn Saud Islamic University, the Islamic University of Madinah, and the Saudi Statistical Association.
These cooperation agreements aim to strengthen collaboration, enhance coordination, and integrate efforts within the scope of all parties’ expertise. They also establish an institutional framework for shared activities and tasks, and support the development of institutional capacities in areas of mutual interest. On this occasion, His Highness received a commemorative gift.
This forum comes as part of GASTAT’s ongoing efforts to foster integration with universities and statistical associations, expand strategic and research partnerships, and consolidate the Kingdom’s advanced position in the fields of data, statistics, and indicators. It also reaffirms the Kingdom’s role as a regional and international statistical reference, contributing to measuring progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals and supporting the realization of Saudi Vision 2030.
Following the opening ceremony, the forum’s sessions commenced with a main panel discussion titled “The Role of Universities in Shaping the Future of Statistical Innovation.” The session highlighted the role of universities in developing innovative statistical methodologies, building national capacities, and aligning educational outcomes with sustainable development needs.
The program also featured a series of panel sessions that addressed key topics, including the role of statistics in community development, modern methodologies for improving data quality, ethics in statistical work and data privacy, and best practices of statistical offices in providing data to users.
It is worth noting that the first edition of the forum, organized by GASTAT in 2024, witnessed notable attendance, significant scientific and research contributions, and recommendations that yielded tangible results in the field of statistical work. This year’s edition coincides with the World Statistics Day 2025, observed on October 20 under the theme “Statistics for Sustainable Opportunities.” The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia joins the global community in celebrating this occasion, which is held every five years, reaffirming the importance of official statistics in supporting development and informed decision-making.

The Second Statistical Forum for Universities and Statistical Associations, held at the Conference Center of the University of Jeddah, continued its activities with two panel sessions. The first session was titled “The Role of Statistics in Community Development,” while the second session was titled “Innovative Methodologies for Improving the Quality of Statistical Data.”  The first session highlighted the importance of statistical indicators in analyzing the living conditions of society and their role in shaping public policies, improving the quality of essential services, serving as a key tool for measuring welfare indicators, promoting social equity, and guiding future development plans.
While the second session focused on national and international experiences in adopting new methodologies to enhance data quality, it also discussed statistical challenges and ways to overcome them through advanced technological solutions and modern analytical tools. Speakers emphasized the importance of research collaboration between universities and statistical offices to develop measurement tools that support the achievement of the sustainable development goals.
It is worth noting that the panel discussions are among the main programs of the forum and form part of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) efforts to strengthen the integration of roles between the academic and applied fields and to develop the capabilities of national cadres in statistical quality and decision-making.