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Within the Results of the Labor Market Bulletin for the Third Quarter of 2017 The General Authority for Statistics: Stability in the Unemployment Rate of the Saudi Population at (12.8%) and a Decline in the Total Unemployment Rate to Reach (5.8%) The General Authority for Statistics (GaStat) published on its official website www.stats.gov.sa  the Labor Market Bulletin for the third quarter of 2017, which provides comprehensive data and indicators on the labor market in the Kingdom from the estimates of the labor force survey conducted by the Authority on a quarterly basis, in addition to the labor market data from the administrative records of the relevant entities (Ministry of Labor and Social Development, Ministry of Civil Service, General Organization for Social Insurance, Human Resources Development Fund and National Information Center). The results of the bulletin for the third quarter of 2017 showed stability in the unemployment rate of the Saudi population at its previous level during the second quarter of 2017, where it stabilized at (12.8%), (7.4%) for males and (32.7%) for females, and a decline in the total unemployment rate (15 years and above) compared to the second quarter of 2017, where it reached (5.8%) in this quarter (3.2%) for males and (21.1%) for females. The total number of workers from the data of administrative records in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reached (13,758,064) indivisuals, the total number of Saudis jobseekrs from the records of administrative reached (1,231,549) individuals, (190,822) are males and (1,040,727) are females. The highest percentage of Saudis jobseekers in the age group (25-29) was represented by 31.3%. Moreover, the results showed that nearly half of the Saudi jobseekers hold Bachelor degrees and their percentages reached (45.8%). According to the administrative records of the relevant entities, the total number of work visas issued reached 509,180. (22.3%) for the public sector, (37.8%) for the domestic sector and (39.9%) for the private sector. The bulletin included a large number of detailed data on workers according to the regulations they are subject to, and according to the nationality, gender, age, administrative region and educational level, as well as data on job seekers, average monthly wage, working hours and domestic workers. On the other hand, the official spokesman of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), Mr.Tayseer Al-Mafarj, clarified that there is a difference between job seekers and unemployed. The "unemployed" according to the Labor Force Survey are the individuals (15 years and above) who were jobless during the period of the time reference (the survey period): the previous week of the household visit and have been looking for a job seriously during the four weeks prior to the household visit (they have at least taken one way to look for a job). This includes those who did not search for work during the four weeks prior to the household visit because they were waiting for a job or starting their own business in the coming period, where they had already been looking for work before the time reference period and at the same time they were able to work and were ready to join it (If available), during the week preceding the household visit. Additionally, the definition of job seekers is the Saudi individuals (males or females) enrolled in the job search programs of the Ministry of Civil Service (Jdarah or Saed) and the Human Resources Development Fund (Hafiz). And they register their personal data, qualifications, practical experiences and CVs through an electronic system. It is worth to mention that job seekers in the administrative records are not subject to the internationally recognized standards and conditions of unemployment approved by the ILO and therefore are not considered to be unemployed. Hence, not every job seeker is considered unemployed, he may be looking for work and is working in another job, this is the case in job seekers in government entities who are working, for example, in the private sector.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) Held an Introductory Workshop and Issued the Unified Guide Government Entities Start to Implement the National Guide for Economic Activities (ISIC4) in the Middle of the Current Month The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) explained that it has completed the preparations for enabling the government entities related to economic activities to implement the "National Classification for Economic Activities", the classification was taken from the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities, the forth version (ISIC4), and was issued by the United Nations Economic and Social Council. And it is considered as an approved Classification for Economic Activities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia starting next Monday 14 Rabi Thani, 1 January 2018. The official spokesman of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), Tayseer Al-Mafraj, confirmed that the Authority has held several workshops for the relevant entities during the past period of time and prepared a unified guide and an electronic room for operations and communication in preparation for the start of the adoption of the National Classification for Economic Activities that can be defined as the way in which counting units can be collected according to a serial order and defined by homogeneous groups with a view to creating a general framework for comparison of statistical data at the local, regional and international levels. He also pointed out that the data of economic activity can be divided according to the guide prepared for this to specific levels in a manner similar to the characteristics of economic activities classified in one rank.  The official spokesman added that the implementation of the Unified Classification for the Economic Activities aims at creating a general framework for comparing statistical data at the local, regional and international levels, and providing a set of statistical data classified according to the economic activity. In addition, the implementation of the Unified Classification for Economic Activities contributes to the organization and restructuring of all sectors, supports the project of electronic connectivity between different entities, improves the quality of administrative records data of the relevant entities, and provides a comprehensive framework of economic activities to facilitate the handling of descriptive formulas automatically. It should be noted that the original version of the Classification was adopted in 1948. Most countries have applied this Classification as their national classification to become an important tool for comparing statistical data on economic activities at the international level. The first version (ISIC_1) of the International Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Activities was issued in 1958, the second version (ISIC_2) was issued in 1968 and the third version (ISIC_3) was issued in 1990. Finally, in 2006, the United Nations Economic and Social Council adopted the Fourth Amendment to the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC4). The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) uses the Classification in all its economic and social products, and follows up the updates on the classification and recently it has been authorized to enable the government entities to apply it as an approved Classification for Economic Activities in the Kingdom.

GaStat president Dr. Fahad bin Sulaiman Altekhaifi word in the third anniversary of the custodian of the two holly mosques accession to the throne, 3rd of Rabee the second 1439H When the king is present, there will be national prestige and achievements process “King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud” is a distinct sentence in the book of abode. His period of rule will be eternalized forever. This period represents a growth journey that will never stop. Three years of king Salman’s rule, a vision was drawn for the future. However, his policy of toughness gave the country a dignity with more wisdom and farsightedness, while determination helped in increasing the country’s achievements.  In the third anniversary of the custodian of the two holly mosques king Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s accession to the throne, the country’s agenda became full of achievements. Since king Salman’s period of rule has started, each day represents a whole year during which a future is drawn through establishing security, accomplishments, development, justice, honor, prestige and wisdom. These features led the country to be the most effective geographical area in the world map. They also gave it a historical metalepsis with many events in a non-stop epoch. In the third anniversary of the king’s accession to throne, praise be to Allah for having such government which governs the country with Quran and Sunnah. Thanks God for belonging to such country that has a dominance in many levels because of its leading role towards security, peace, and stability. The kingdom wise attitudes toward the international and regional issues are still contributing in addressing many political, economic, social, and security affairs.  In the third anniversary of the king’s accession to throne, each citizen should be proud of being engaged in everything. This engagement story has started earlier since the periods of rule of king Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud and his sons (Saud, Faisal, Khalid, Fahad, and Abdullah) may all of them rest in peace. Presently, the story continues in the period of king Salman’s rule and hopefully will never stop.  In the third anniversary of the king’s accession to throne, every developmental sector has the right to announce its outstanding developments and achievements which could not be accomplished without the government support and efforts. This support aims at making the development a result of each project, a desire for all efforts, and an integration between all sectors in order to reach a brighter future, as the language of figures and statistics in all sectors is the language of facts and achievements.  In the third anniversary of the king’s accession to throne, our boarders become unattackable and our security is guaranteed, that is because of the top priority given to citizens’ security by our leadership.  Our courage champions are working hard on our security sacrificing their own lives. In addition, our armies are always there when their brothers and neighbors need them. These all show how the sons of “Salman” are united to keep the country boarders secured and prevent intimidation.  In the third anniversary of the king’s accession to throne, we are proud of serving the two holly mosques. Under his leadership- may God support him-, all countries of the world are impressed of the services provided by Saudi citizens when receiving and serving the guests of Allah, as all public and private entities are working hard to have the honor of serving pilgrims, Omrah performers, and visitors. A clear evidence for that is the services and projects that were provided in the last three seasons of Hajj.  In the third anniversary of the king’s accession to throne, we are all witnessing the new steps followed to build a modern country with young spirits. Since king Salman’s period of rule has started, the young spirit has appeared in all executive and administrative entities and sectors. That is to show how the country is young and capable of reform and develop, so that all individuals can live prosperous lives under the umbrella of security and development.   In the third anniversary of the king’s accession to throne, we ( here in the General Authority for Statistics) are renewing the commitment intending to achieve the country’s expectations and objectives while keeping on supporting the development, as what the statistical sector in Saudi Arabia is witnessing nowadays is considered a transformation not only locally but also regionally and internationally. We will work hard to make the country in a very high position anywhere and everywhere.  In the third anniversary of the king’s accession to throne, we congratulate the custodian of the two holly mosques king Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his crown prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz (May God protect them all), with all our prayers to always keep this country secured, safe, and stable, and to protect our country and leaders. May the custodian of the two holly mosques live longer and May Allah reward him well.

Congratulating The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his Crown Prince, On the occasion of announcing the largest expenditure budget in the history of Saudi Arabia. Dr. Fahad Altekhaifi: Growth budget, development and transparency trends, and emphasis on the accuracy of the objectives On his behalf and on behalf of all members of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) and all the statistical sectors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr.Fahad Bin Sulaiman Altekhaifi congratulates The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz AL-Saud and his Crown Prince HRH Prince Mohmmad Bin Salman ALSaud, On the occasion of announcing the budget for the fiscal year 1439/1440 H as the largest expenditure budget in the history of Saudi Arabia. This achievement was a result of the directives of the wise leadership of this country to reduce the budget deficit for the current fiscal year by more than (25%) compared to the previous fiscal year despite the high expenditure. Dr. Altekhaifi stressed that the contents of the speech of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in the budget declaration came to confirm the continuation of the development and improvement towards achieving the vision of the Kingdom (2030) to increase the size of the national economy and keep its growth. As well as, the continuation to diversify the economic base and income sources to enhance the ability to adapt to the developments and overcome the challenges and to ensure that the private sector can play a greater role in the development. Moreover, The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, in the budget declaration, stressed on the need to ensure that the burden on citizens will be minimized, he also stressed on dealing with the potential effects as well as supporting the private sector, identifying the objectives to reduce the budget deficit for next year to be less than (8%) of GDP despite the large and expanding budget and the continuation to reduce the dependence on oil. He also emphasized on the continuation to fight corruption and maintain the public money to pursue a bright future for the country. In addition, Dr. Altekhaifi added that this speech confirms the keenness of the wise leadership to ensure that prosperity will prevail in all regions of the Kingdom and that was confirmed by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques also that this budget will continue to be disbursed to various development sectors in all regions of the Kingdom at high rates. The Custodian of the two Holy Mosques concluded his speech ensuring that he had kept in mind that he would continue to work towards comprehensive and balanced development to all regions of the Kingdom and that there is no difference between these regions. The president of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) stressed that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' directive to all officials to raise the level of performance, develop government services, enhance the efficiency of expenditure and transparency to meet the aspirations and obtain the satisfaction of citizens for the services provided to them is a road map to be used by all government entities and in all areas of development. On the other hand, Dr. Fahad bin Sulaiman Altekhaifi said that all the important changes in the structure and mechanisms of the Saudi budget are considered strong cornerstones for the future on the intermediate and long terms. The budget included anticipations about the economy performance on the intermediate term “five years” which assured how clear and accurate are the objectives that the country works on to achieve a financial balance in 2023.  The announcement of these anticipations will be a fundamental base in managing the economic growth in all developmental fields. It will also enhance the transparency and disclosure values, which are values adopted by Saudi Arabia as strategic values in achieving the financial balance program as they comply with the announced objectives of the 2030 Saudi vision. Moreover, the announcement of the developmental funds and the investment fund collaborations in the capital and investment expenditure which exceeded the budget capital expenditure in the past years, in addition to the continuity and increase of the capital expenditure will have a strong impact on the economic development. Altekhaifi indicated that the 2018 budget statement is a result of the new political and economic policies which rely on strong bases both economically and administratively. It also asserts that we are going through the right path toward the future which started to be obvious through the wise economic management that the economic and development affairs council represents. The economic reforms that started with the announcement of the ambitious vision pushed the country towards a change through implementing a financial and economic policies system to improve the efficiency of the government expenditure, and found new non-oil income sources to create a kind of financial balance as a strategic objective on the intermediate term. This will be reflected on the economy of the country and will improve the citizen’s living standard.  GASTAT president added that the announced investments will affect the development positively, as it will enhance the economic growth, collaborate in improving the main services provided to citizens, and motivate the private sector which gets an unlimited support as it is considered a fundamental partner and a main axis in the development process. Furthermore, the high-yield investments that affect development in general and human resources in particular will contribute in increasing the Saudi citizen living standards.  He also mentioned that the budget with all its components will guarantee achieving an effective contribution to improve the efficiency of the government expenditure on one hand, and the quality, accuracy, and transparency of the financial accounts on the other hand. However, moving from cash basis accounting to accrual basis accounting will collaborate in increasing the financial efficiency which will be reflected on the projects outputs that the citizen get benefited from. GASTAT president concluded with prayers to this country “May God keep this country secured and prosperous”

On Tuesday the 3rd of Rabe’a first 1439H corresponding 21st of November 2017, the general authority for statistics (GaStat) has issued the cost of living index’ monthly report for the month of October. The report has been published on the official website of the authority www.stats.gov.sa ,  as the cost of living index has registered a decline by 0.2% in October 2107 compared to last month (September 2017).  The monthly report which was issued by GaStat clarified that the cost of living index in Saudi Arabia has recorded (137.5) in October 2017 which is a decline by 0.2% compared to September 2017 during which it recorded (137.8).       The report attributed this monthly decline of the indicator to the declines of the six main sections that compose the cost of living index which are: transportation section by (1.0%), House Furnishing, equipment, and maintenance section by (0.4%), food and beverages section by (0.3%), restaurants and hotels section by (0.2%), clothes and shoes section by (0.1%), and the sections of housing, water, electricity, gas, and the other kinds of fuel by (0.1%).       On the other hand, three main sections of the indicator have registered an increase which are: health section by (0.4%), culture and leisure section by (0.3%), and telecommunication section by (0.2%).       However, the sections of tobacco, education, commodity and services have not registered any worth mentioning change.

As the First Country in the Middle East.. with the Aim of Working to Improve the Statistics of Tourism  The General Authority for Statistics (GaStat): The Kingdom is enhancing its statistical position at an international level with the membership of the international expert group The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia enhanced its statistical position at an international level after the joining of GaStat and the Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage to the membership of the international expert group that is concerned with the Tourism Satellite Account of 2017, to be the first country in the Middle East that has been nominated to accomplish the Tourism Satellite Account according to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) standards. UNWTO has also nominated the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to execute the capacity building program. This initiative ensures an effective execution for information systems and tourism in all countries in the Middle East. Therefore, the Kingdom will represent these countries in managing the project, it is also considered as a mediator to transfer the knowledge and the experience of the organization to the Middle East countries. Moreover, the international experts group will work on preparing a guide to standardize and enhance the statistics of tourism and strengthen the support for the statistics within the United Nation system.  Additionally, the statistics committee and the Tourism Satellite Account will handle the coordination with international authorities and institutions to lead the statistics, set its standards within the United Nation system and support the member countries to enhance their national regulations for the tourism statistics and Tourism Satellite Account.  The president of GaStat Dr.Fahad Bin Sulaiman ALTekhaifi assured that the authority will work in partnership with the Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage to maximize the benefit from this membership at all levels. He added that choosing two entities from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for membership of the international experts group, which is considered with the Tourism Satellite Account 2017, is an extension of the Kingdom's role in improving all the statistical fields and it shows what the statistical sector finds from the wise leadership (May God support them) for its unlimited support. In addition, it is also a result of  joint efforts and integration between GaStat and the Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage in the field of tourism statistics. It is noteworthy to mention that the two authorities (Statistics and Tourism) have signed a memorandum of understanding in the field of information, statistics and the regulations of the governmental decision support. The signing was under the sponsorship of HRH the governor of Riyadh city, prince Faisal Bin Bandar Bin Abdulaziz AL-Saud, last March of this year within the events of the tourism investment and travel forum in Riyadh city.

Within the joint committee meetings events on the occasion of completing 55 years in the capital city Seoul  Saudi Arabia and South Korea Signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the Field of Statistics    Saudi Arabia and South Korea signed on Friday 7th of Safar 1439 H (27th of October 2017) in Seoul the capital city of South Korea a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cooperate in the field of statistics. It aims to establish a cooperation between the two countries in the field of statistics by exchanging administrative and technical experiences that are related to the work of official statistical entities. Moreover, the signing ceremony was held within the “Saudi-Korean” joint committee meetings events on the 26 and 27 of this October. These events were held in the capital city of Korea on the occasion of completing 55 years of relationship between The Kingdom and Korea. The memorandum was signed by his excellency the president of GaStat Dr.Fahad Bin Sulaiman AL-Tukhaifi from the Saudi side and by the official commissioner of the Korean statistics Mrs. Hwang Soo Kyeong from the Korean side. A number of the two countries officials have attended the ceremony. In addition, his excellency the president of GaStat Dr.Fahad Bin Sulaiman AL-Tukhaifi expressed in his speech for this occasion his thanks to the Korean side for the warm reception and gracious hospitality that the Saudi delegation had. He also assured on the deep cooperative relationship between the two countries since 55 years ago until now in a noticeable improvement. He said" we are here today and more than half century of relationship between our countries have passed where the relations have improved remarkably in different fields, in which the economic interests have gathered the experts of the two countries on the tables of the commercial cooperation. Additionally, the special political relationships between the two countries have attributed in the advancement towards cooperation fields that are more distinguished. Since the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Korea have agreed on establishing diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level on 16th of October 1962 until this day, the two countries are keeping a strong cooperative relationship as partners and they represent a special model for the West-East convergence”. Dr.AL-Tukhifi added that signing the statistical memorandum between the two countries came along with the new Saudi Vision 2030 where it opens wider horizons for cooperation. The statistical partnership is a qualitative partnership to transfer successful experiences and effective cooperation in the fields of statistical data and information which is considered the strongest cornerstone towards future. It is noteworthy to mention that the statistical memorandum between Saudi Arabia and south Korea includes points for cooperative work in developing technical mechanisms necessary for collecting and publishing statistics according to international standards, determining the fundamentals of statistical databases in different statistical fields, exchanging experiences concerning the necessary requirements for establishing an information central system that is linked automatically with all public entities [and their activation mechanisms], developing statistical work in governmental entities in addition to developing government statistical plans, policies, and mechanisms, exchanging statistical awareness programs and organizing joint seminars and workshops which discuss cooperation issues.

Department of Statistics (formerly the General Authority for Statistics currently) members of the Committee of Economy and Energy Shura Council presented its strategic plan in the transition to an independent body, it came after a discussion of the Council's annual report to the Department of Statistics in the past general. Put some members of the Saudi Shura Council at their session yesterday, a number of views on the Department of Statistics report in the past year, comes at a time when the Department of Statistics turned into a public body for the census, a decision of the Council of Ministers about five weeks ago. In this regard, an informed source revealed «Middle East» yesterday that the General Administration of Statistics in Saudi Arabia will achieve its objectives through the provision of statistics and data and information and high-quality indicators, as all categories of beneficiaries of government agencies and enterprises and private individuals to various statistical areas (demographic, social, economic and environmental and cultural), so take advantage of them in the planning of development work. He said the same source, that the members of the Committee of Economy and Energy Shura Council, briefed on the strategic plan for the benefit of former public statistics, which will be applied in the transition to an independent body, where this plan is based on two major dimensions, namely: the beneficiary of the government agencies, private facilities, and members of service , in addition to high quality. The source said: «These two dimensions that contained five axes of development is the strategy based on the beneficiaries service, and statistical products and services of surveys and research, and methodology of statistical work and procedures, and the development of technical infrastructure for the development of statistical work, and the culture of the organization and capacity building, and restructuring and governance work». He pointed to the same source, to ensure that all the focus of a lot of projects and initiatives in accordance with the time schedule of expected Ontsem in a qualitative leap for statistical work in Saudi Arabia. , The Commission asked for the economy and energy Shura Council, during yesterday's session, the Department of Statistics to expedite the transition to Algiomkana Statistical System, to complete the basic structure of the Standard Rules Spatial Information National, and requiring all government agencies to provide information and data for the project automated link system information, on the bases technical and schedule required by the project. It also demanded the development of budgets for projects, statistical surveys and the transition to Algiomkana statistical system, in order to provide sufficient flexibility to spend it to be completed in the time required. During the session, Mohammed al-Mutairi student, information about the project to shift Algiomkana Statistical System, and hoped to provide this information to evaluate the project and support the necessary recommendations. He called Dr. Saeed Sheikh Department of Statistics to develop its website, providing information on the raw data, researchers can use the form and interested. While Dr. Mohammed Al Naji said during his speech that the Department of Statistics is still using an older scientific techniques, while Dr. Mansour Alkredes stressed the importance of a survey of the workforce in Saudi Arabia every three months, adding that the workforce have statistics of special importance require monitored on a quarterly Yearly dynamic response to changing realities. He suggested Dr. Abdullah Al-Harbi, establishment of a national data bank and information, and cooperation with the statistics departments at universities to build partnerships and specialized rehabilitation of the cadres of interest, and to cooperate with the Shura Council to find a center for public opinion polls and trends. Saudi Shura Council session saw yesterday, to approve the proposal to add two paragraphs fourth and fifth articles of the health system, introduced from Dr. Mona Al-Mushayt and decided Shura Council approval of some «model contract public construction» prepared in light of those amendments and recycled to the Shura Council for consideration in accordance with amendments introduced by the Government on a number of competitions and the government procurement system and project materials to article 17 of the system board. These developments come after an extraordinary economic steps, which decided the Saudi Council of Ministers about five weeks ago, converting Department of Statistics to the general body of the census, and in this regard, said the engineer will be launched after ninety days from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette », pointing out that the decision inception keen Adel Faqih, Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning said that «introduction of the new organization of the General Authority for Statistics wise leadership to support statistical track, and translates what looks to him and rulers of the quest towards the further development of service facilities, especially what has to do with the affairs of statistics, data and information, and that to cope with change and successive development in all economic fields, especially after the establishment of the Council of Economic Affairs and Development. He noted architect jurist as given to the Department of Statistics and Information before converted to body care cream and high-Care of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and the Crown Prince and Crown Crown, to play its role in the provision of statistical data which contribute to strengthening the country's economy and development in various fields. The Minister of Economy and Planning, Saudi Arabia, that the issuance of this decision was an extension of a lot of decisions, orders and directives of the High precious to support and enhance many of the sectors of government turning to independent bodies proved right those decisions and effectiveness in view of the data that touched and experienced Staff of those sectors and the beneficiaries of its services. He Engineer Faqih hoped to be in the issuance of this wise decision motivation and incentive to tender wealthy achieve what the new body to aspire in their plans and programs and keep pace with the size of the aspirations of the beneficiaries of their services, adding that «this organization, which consists of 28 articles provision in Article II that arise General body called the General Authority for Statistics and enjoy public legal personality and financial and administrative independence, and organizationally linked with the Minister of Economy and Planning ». And that the new regulation provides for the formation of the Governing Council of the Commission headed by the Minister of Economy and Planning, and the membership of the Chairman of the Authority, and a number of members who represent some of the relevant government agencies and a representative of the Council of Saudi Chambers, and two representatives of specialists work of the Commission. According to Faqih that the purpose of the establishment of the Authority is to organize and activate the statistical work in Saudi Arabia, through the preparation of a comprehensive, accurate and unified national statistical system and follow up on its implementation, and the development of plans and programs necessary to meet the statistical needs, service development plans, scientific research and various activities. The Minister of Economy and Planning of Saudi that the new organization stressed that «the General Administration of Statistics» responsible for statistics in Saudi Arabia, is the only official statistical reference for the implementation of statistical work system and technical supervisor and regulator to him, a jurisdiction that conducts surveys, as it is the research and studies and dissemination of the results of the different areas statistical, and it is in relation to the conditions of the community and its activities. Engineer jurist considered that the Council of Ministers to ensure that the decision of the Board of Directors shall review the general statistics of the state system, and suggest what would need to be in, and submit it according to regular procedures

GaStat: Real Estate Index Decreased by (6.3%) compared to the previous year and stabilized compared to Second Quarter On Tuesday Safar 4th, 1439 (October 24th,2017), GaStat issued its quarterly indicator of the real estate price general index in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the third quarter (2017) and published it through its official website www.stats.gov.sa . This indicator is based on available registry data of the Ministry of Justice regarding real estate transactions. This indicator is an essential tool that supports entities which make economic and statistical decisions regarding the real estate price movements and future forecasts during different periods of time. The indicator includes three main sectors consisting of many real estate types: residential sector (piece of land, building, villa, apartment, and house), commercial sector (piece of land, building, shop, gallery and commercial centre), and agricultural sector which only includes agricultural land. The index of real estate prices for the third quarter 2017 recorded a relative stability compared to the previous quarter (second quarter 2017), reaching (84.9) in the third quarter 2017. The report attributed the stability of the real estate price index for the third quarter of 2017 to the varying percentage of change in the main sectors composing the indicator. The commercial sector witnessed a decline by (1.0%), the residential sector witnesses an increase by (0.2%), while the agricultural sector was stable without any relative change. The indicator recorded a decline of (6.3%) compared to the same quarter of the previous year (third quarter 2017). The report attributed this decline to the decline in the main sectors composing the indicator: the residential sector (7.9%), the commercial sector (10.9%) and the agricultural sector (1.0%).