Statistical Survey Issued by GASTAT for the First Time
GASTAT Releases Results of Household’ Culture and Entertainment Survey for 2018
General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released results of “Household’ Culture and Entertainment Survey 2018”.  The survey was published on its official website www.stats.gov.sa [1]. This survey complements the new statistical products implemented by the Authority to meet the local and international requirements of statistical data. It is first-of- its- kind survey in the field of household culture and entertainment, which will be conducted on a periodical basis every three years by GASTAT in line with the international methodology of culture statistics. The fundamental objective of the survey is to support decision makers, policy makers, researchers, and those who are interested in up-to-date data on statistics of household culture and entertainment in Saudi Arabia by (gender, nationality, educational status, age, and marital status).

(35.36%) of Saudi Arabia’s population (Saudis and non-Saudis) had a home library during the 12 months. In detail, the percentage of reading books among Saudi individuals (15 +) was (58.18%) during the 12 months.  The percentage of both (Saudi and non-Saudi) individuals (15+) who read newspapers or magazines recorded (53.96%), out of total population of Saudi Arabia.  For Saudis, the total percentage of Saudi individuals (15+) who read newspapers or magazines accounted for (59.46%) during the 12 months, where (67.14%) of them were Saudi males, and (51.48%) of them were Saudi females.  However, the percentage of reading electronic newspapers or magazines was (66.58%), out of the total number of reading newspapers or magazines, while the percentage of reading printed newspapers or magazines reached (5.77%). As for both types, the total percentage of reading electronic or printed newspapers or magazines registered (27.65%), during 12 months, according to the results of the survey.

(42,40%) of Saudi individuals (15+) visited theme parks for entertainment or culture as the most visited places in the residence of place during 12 months.  However, cultural landscapes are the most visited places for Saudi individuals (15+), recording a percentage of (57.21%), out of total Saudis who traveled inside Saudi Arabia to visit cultural or entertainment places during the 12 months. Likewise, cultural landscapes were one of the most visited places for Saudi individuals (15 +), where the total number of Saudis who traveled outside Saudi Arabia to visit cultural or entertainment places during the 12 months was (70.03%), based on the survey’s results.

Watching television or listening to radio stations recorded the highest percentage as the most cultural and entertainment activities practiced by Saudi individuals during their free time at the level of Saudi Arabia, reaching (67.02%), out of the total number of Saudis who engaged in cultural or entertainment activities during the (12) months. 
 
GASTAT is pleased to provide its clients of data users with the detailed results of the survey. The results will be available on its website, containing about 40 statistical indicators.