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.
 

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/?

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.