News

The UN Statistics Division commends the methodology developed by GASTAT for designing and managing statistical surveys and adopted the Request Assessment and Decision (RAD) survey designing tool as an applied model for professional best practices that enhance the quality of statistical survey design and implementation efficiency. Featured in the United Nations Handbook on Household Surveys, this recognition highlights Saudi Arabia's significant progress in the field of statistics.
The inclusion of the RAD tool in the UN Handbook reflects international recognition of GASTAT’s methodology for planning, designing, and managing surveys. The Handbook describes the applied methodology as an organized and rigorous process that ensures statistical surveys are conducted in accordance with high standards of quality, accuracy, and relevance. This maximizes the added value of data and increases the efficiency of its use in supporting public policies and achieving SDGs, while showcasing Saudi Arabia's investment in advancing statistical tools under the Saudi Vision 2030.
It is worth noting that the development of the RAD tool comes as part of GASTAT’s ongoing efforts to develop national statistical tools and methodologies and its endeavor to strengthen institutional capacities and transform its experiences in conducting surveys into applicable and sustainable practices and tools, thereby enhancing the quality of statistical work.
 

The annual inflation rate of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in Saudi Arabia reached 1.8% in August 2026, compared to the corresponding month of 2025. This was mainly driven by increases in the prices of housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels by 3.9%, food and beverages by 1.4%, and transport by 2.0%. On a monthly basis, the CPI increased by 0.1% compared to July 2026.
In the same context, the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) increased by 4.6% in August 2026 compared to the corresponding month of 2025, while decreasing by 0.2% on a monthly basis compared to July 2026.
It is noteworthy that the CPI reflects changes in the prices paid by consumers for a fixed basket of goods and services, while the WPI reflects price movements of goods at the pre-retail stage for a fixed basket of goods.
 

The President of GASTAT, Fahad Aldossari, participated in the 17th Session of the Statistical Committee of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), held from 8 to 10 September 2026 in Al Jabal Al Akhdar, Sultanate of Oman, with the participation of heads of national statistical offices from Arab countries and representatives of Arab organizations.
The session focused on a range of topics aimed at advancing statistical work across the Arab region, including modernizing national statistical systems, strengthening data governance, leveraging emerging technologies and non-traditional data sources, and enhancing price statistics in the digital age. Discussions also highlighted the importance of data and innovative analytics in informing policymaking, improving disaster-related statistics, and strengthening coordination efforts to build the statistical capacity of national statistical offices.
During his participation, the President of GASTAT highlighted Saudi Arabia’s experience in advancing statistical practices through the adoption of modern data sources and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, geospatial data, and satellite imagery. He also showcased GASTAT’s efforts in fostering statistical innovation and developing capabilities, contributing to more comprehensive and high-quality indicators, greater efficiency in statistical production processes, and improved access to data for users and policymakers.
He also took part in a panel discussion on coordinating statistical capacity-building efforts for national statistical offices, sharing Saudi Arabia’s experience in strengthening collaboration and facilitating knowledge exchange at both national and international levels. He highlighted the Kingdom’s role in hosting key statistical events and forums, including the UN World Data Forum 2026, which will be held in Riyadh in November, alongside various initiatives and programs focused on building statistical capabilities and promoting knowledge transfer.
GASTAT’s participation in the session underscores its commitment to advancing regional and international statistical collaboration, facilitating the exchange of expertise and best practices with national statistical offices and relevant organizations, and contributing to discussions on the future direction of official statistics. These efforts support the development of modern, sustainable national statistical systems across the Arab region. 
The ESCWA Statistical Committee serves as a regional platform that brings together national statistical offices from ESCWA member states to discuss statistical priorities, foster cooperation and knowledge exchange, and follow up on the implementation of joint statistical recommendations and initiatives at the regional level.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released the Wholesale and Retail Trade Statistics publication for Q2 of 2026, which showed that the General Index of Operating Revenues increased by 3.2% compared to the same quarter of 2025, while decreasing by 0.6% on a quarterly basis compared to Q1 of 2026.
The publication showed that the Employees Compensation Index increased by 9.0% compared to the same quarter of 2025, driven by a 10.8% increase in employees' compensation in retail trade.
The results also showed that the E-Commerce Sales Index increased by 9.8% compared to Q2 of 2025, with retail trade increasing by 13.4%, wholesale trade by 6.5%, and the sale and repair of motor vehicles by 2.4%. On a quarterly basis, the E-Commerce Sales Index increased in retail trade by 1.1%, wholesale trade by 0.3%, and the sale and repair of motor vehicles by 0.1%.
The Automobile Sales Index also increased by 0.6% compared to the same quarter of 2025, while increasing by 0.9% on a quarterly basis compared to Q1 of 2026. 
It is noteworthy that Wholesale and Retail Trade Statistics provide short-term economic data to measure the performance of the wholesale and retail trade sector in Saudi Arabia. The statistics are compiled in accordance with approved statistical methodologies to ensure data quality and accuracy prior to publication.