News

The General Authority for Statistics has released today the monthly and quarterly International Merchandise Trade Statistics Publication for March and the Q1 of 2025. The publication highlights continued growth in non-oil exports. 
According to the report, non-oil exports (including re-exports) saw a significant rise of 13.4% in the Q1 of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. In March 2025 alone, they grew by 10.7% compared to March 2024. This growth highlights the increasing contribution of non-oil sectors to the kingdom's foreign trade.
However, total merchandise exports experienced a decline of 3.2% in Q1 2025 and 9.8% in March. On the other hand, merchandise imports increased by 7.3% in Q1 and 0.1% in March compared to the previous year. As a result, the trade surplus decreased by 28% in Q1 and 34.2% in March.
The publication also shows an improved ratio of non-oil exports to imports, reaching 36.2% in Q1 2025 (up from 34.3% in Q1 2024) and 36.5% in March (up from 33% in March 2024). This coincides with a decrease in the share of oil exports within total exports, which fell to 71.8% in Q1 2025 (from 75.9%) and to 71.2% in March (from 76.5%). Chemical products led the non-oil exports, accounting for 23.8% in Q1 and 25.7% in March 2025. Meanwhile, "machinery, electrical appliances, and their parts" were the largest imported goods, making up 25.8% in Q1 and 26.1% in March.
The publication indicated that the People’s Republic of China remained Saudi Arabia’s top trading partner. China accounted for 15.7% of the Kingdom’s total exports and 26.6% of total imports in Q1 2025. In March, China’s share stood at 15.5% of exports and 25.3% of imports. It is worth noting that the International Merchandise Trade Statistics are based on administrative records from the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority for non-oil data, and from the Ministry of Energy for oil data. Goods are classified according to the Harmonized System for describing and coding basic goods 2022.

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/?