Methodology and Quality Update

Latest Update on Methodology and Quality

2025/07/28

Statistical Presentation

Data description

The Survey of Access and Use of ICT by Establishments presents up-to-date statistics and indicators on the extent of access to and use of information and communication technology by establishments in Saudi Arabia.
The ICT access and use survey by establishments is conducted to collect data on the following key characteristics:

•     The availability of ICT devices within establishments.
•     The extent of ICT usage by establishments.
•     The fields in which establishments use ICT.

The data are also used to estimate the main variables measured in this survey, which include the following:

•     The main activities conducted by establishments through the use of the internet.
•     The extent of establishments’ use of government e-services.

Classifications

The following classification is applied in the Survey of Access and Use of ICT by Establishments.
The National Classification for Economic Activities (ISIC4):
It is a statistical classification based on the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC4), used to describe the productive activities of an establishment.
Metadata is collected through interviews, so that outputs can be produces in accordance with all relevant classifications.
Classifications are available on the GASTAT website:  www.stats.gov.sa

Statistical concepts and definitions

Terms and concepts for the Survey of Access and Use of ICT by Establishments:

•     Information and Communication Technology (ICT): 

ICT is defined as "a set of technologies resulting from the convergence of computing, advanced multimedia technologies, and telecommunications, which has enabled more effective means of communication by enhancing the processing, storage, dissemination, and exchange of information Access and usage of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
According to the definition established by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), information and communication technology (ICT) includes the following economic sectors:
 -   ICT-producing sectors (such as the manufacturing of computers and computer devices, televisions, radios, telephones, etc.).
 -   ICT distribution sectors (such as the wholesale trade of computers, etc.).
 -   ICT service sectors (such as telecommunications, computer services, audiovisual services, etc.).

•     Computer:

Computers include desktop computers, laptops, and tablets. This does not include devices with embedded computing capabilities such as smart TVs or devices primarily designed for calling, such as smartphones.

•     Mobile phone:

A mobile phone uses cellular technology to provide access to the public switched telephone network (PSTN). This includes both analog and digital cellular systems and technologies, such as the third-generation (3G) and fourth-generation (4G) international mobile communication systems, as well as advanced mobile systems.

•     Fixed telephone line:

A fixed telephone line refers to the telephone line that connects the user’s terminal device, such as a telephone or fax machine, to the public switched telephone network (PSTN), which has a dedicated port on the telephone exchange switchboard.

•     Internet: 

The internet is a vast computer network composed of smaller networks, allowing anyone connected to it to browse and access information (if permitted). It serves as a means of communication and information exchange among individuals and institutions. Internet access can be obtained through several methods, including dial-up connection, broadband, digital subscriber line (DSL), and email.

•     Internet access types:

These refer to the types of internet subscription plans provided by internet service providers (ISPs).

•     Social media networks: 

These are groups of websites on the internet primarily designed to facilitate communication among individuals or establishments across different parts of the world. Most social media platforms offer services such as written communication with others, as well as voice and video interaction. Examples of such platforms include Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and others.

•     E-government services: 

This is a system adopted by government agencies that uses the World Wide Web to connect their various departments with each other, link their different services to private institutions and the general public, and make information accessible to individuals and establishments. The aim is to create a transparent relationship characterized by speed and accuracy to enhance the quality of performance.

•     Online buying and selling: 

This refers to having an online store, website, or a webpage affiliated with the establishment where products are displayed to customers. Alternatively, the establishment may use an online store or website to easily purchase products through computers or smartphones. These platforms often offer the best types of products at competitive prices.

•     Cloud computing: 

Cloud computing is a model that enables easy, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (such as networks, servers, storage, applications, and software services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or interaction with the service provider.

•     Internet of Things (IoT): 

It is a network of objects embedded with technology that enables internet connectivity. It also refers to the communication that occurs between these objects and other internet-enabled devices and systems. These objects can be machines or components.

Data sources

The ICT access and use survey by establishments is considered the primary source for obtaining data on the extent of ICT access and usage by establishments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Data are collected from a sample consisting of approximately 36,307 establishments.

Designing the data collection tool

The data were collected using a questionnaire prepared and designed by specialists from the Digital Economy Statistics Department at the General Authority for Statistics. During its design, international recommendations, standards, and definitions issued by the OECD were taken into account. The questionnaire was reviewed by management experts and also presented to relevant entities to obtain their feedback and observations. The questions were formulated scientifically and precisely to ensure consistency in how researchers pose the questions.
The questionnaire was programmed, and the necessary tools were developed to conduct computer-assisted telephone interviews (CAPI).
Validation and control rules were established within the questionnaire to ensure the consistency, accuracy, and logical coherence of the collected data. These rules were created by linking logical relationships between answers, questions, and various variables to help the interviewer immediately identify any errors while filling out data with the establishment.
The questionnaire includes several sections covering:

•     Establishment identification data.
•     General information about the establishment’s use of information technology.
•     Information on the establishment’s internet usage.
•     Information on cloud computing, the Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence.
•     Information on the management and protection of information and communication technology.
•     Additional information related to information and communication technology.

The main published indicators from the survey data include:

•     The percentage of establishments with internet access out of the total responding establishments, by economic activity.
•     The percentage of establishments with business email accounts out of the total establishments using the internet, by economic activity.
•     The percentage of establishments using social media out of the total establishments using the internet, by economic activity.
•     The percentage of establishments that completed government forms electronically out of the total establishments using the internet, by economic activity.
•     The percentage of establishments using government e-services out of the total establishments using the internet, by economic activity.
•     The percentage of establishments making electronic payments out of the total establishments using the internet, by economic activity.
•     The percentage of establishments using the internet to purchase or order goods and services out of the total establishments using the internet, by economic activity.
•     The percentage of establishments using the internet for customer services out of the total establishments using the internet, by economic activity.
•     The percentage of establishments using the internet to track goods and services out of the total establishments using the internet, by economic activity.
•     The percentage of establishments with fixed networks and connections out of the total establishments using the internet, by economic activity.
•     The percentage of establishments owning a mobile phone for their business activities out of the total establishments, by economic activity.
•     The percentage of establishments using computers for their activities, by type and economic activity.
•     The percentage of establishments that trained employees on computer programs and applications out of the total computer-using establishments, by economic activity.
•     The percentage of establishments using cloud email services out of the total establishments using cloud computing, by economic activity.
•     The percentage of establishments using cloud services for ready-made office software out of the total establishments using cloud computing, by economic activity.
•     The percentage of establishments using cloud services for financial or accounting software applications out of the total establishments using cloud computing, by economic activity.
•     The percentage of establishments using cloud services for file storage out of the total establishments using cloud computing, by economic activity.

Attached are the questionnaire and the navigation and validation rules:

• https://www.stats.gov.sa/documents/d/guest/-34
• https://www.stats.gov.sa/documents/d/guest/-33

Questionnaire test (cognitive test)

The outputs of the cognitive testing conducted in 2022 were adopted.

Statistical population

The statistical population for the ICT access and use statistics survey by establishments consists of all establishments engaged in economic activities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia according to the 2023 business frame. This frame serves as the comprehensive list containing all units of the target population for this survey as well as other economic surveys conducted by the General Authority for Statistics. It includes classification of all establishments by economic activity at multiple levels, as well as establishment size, administrative regions, and other basic data used in constructing various economic samples. The sampling frame is considered the list of all establishments that meet the survey’s specified conditions as defined by the owning department.

Sample Design

The sample was designed using a systematic stratified random sampling method, in which a systematic random sample of establishments is selected from each stratum of the adopted sample design.
Stratification: 
To increase the efficiency of the sample and enhance its representativeness of the target population, establishments within the sampling frame were classified into homogeneous strata. This aims to achieve more accurate results compared to simple random sampling of the same size, in addition to providing a sufficient number of establishments at publishable levels. Stratification was applied across three levels as follows:

•     Stratification at the fourth-level economic activity (ISIC4).
•     Stratification at the administrative region level.
•     Stratification by establishment size categories, which are:

-    Micro establishments: those with 1 to 5 employees.
-    Small establishments: those with 6 to 49 employees.
 -   Medium establishments: those with 50 to 249 employees.
-    Large establishments: those with more than 249 employees.
Sample size:
The sample size was calculated for each stratum h within the study domain (economic activity at the first-level (section) of the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC4)).
Subsequently, the calculated sample size for each study domain (1st-level ISIC) was allocated to establishment size categories and then to administrative regions using the Probability Proportional to Size (PPS) allocation method. This allocation method reduces the variance in weighting factors, thereby decreasing variance in estimates and increasing the design’s efficiency. Additionally, the sample size at the study domain level (1st-level ISIC) was adjusted to ensure a minimum acceptable number of establishments to achieve a sufficient response size for publishing accurate indicator estimates at the 1st-level ISIC economic activity. Furthermore, all medium and large establishments were included in the sample with a 100% selection probability due to their importance.
The above calculations resulted in a total sample size of 36,307 establishments, distributed as shown in the tables below.

Table 1: Distribution of the annual survey sample by ISIC1 (section-level economic activity):

Statistical unit (sampling unit)

The statistical unit in the survey of access and use of information and communications technology by establishments is the establishment.

Data collection

Data collection from the survey:
Data for the survey of access and use of information and communications technology by establishments is collected through computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) or computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI).

Data collection frequency 

Annual.

Reference area

The Survey of Access and Use of ICT by Establishments covers 13 administrative regions in Saudi Arabia.

Reference period (time reference)

The reference period for the variables or dataset is the year 2023.

Base period

Not applicable.

Measurement unit

All results are calculated as percentages.

Time coverage

The data is available annually from 2017 to 2023.

Publication frequency

Annual.

Statistical processing

Error detection

This phase includes:

•     Verifying changes in the classification of economic establishments, which may result from the fieldworker updating the establishment's activity during fieldwork.
•     Verifying illogical differences in the size of establishments.
•     Detecting outliers: These are values that differ significantly from the general pattern of the data, often due to input or response errors.
•     Detecting missing or empty values: Check whether they are required or optional.

Data integration and matching from multiple sources 

The survey data source is the 2023 ICT access and use survey by establishments.

Imputation and calibration

Seasonal adjustments

Not applicable, only final results will be published.

Adjustment of preliminary results 

The initially calculated statistical outputs were reviewed and updated after the completion of processing, aiming to correct identified errors or improve accuracy based on internal reviews.

Used Resources

Quality dimensions

Suitability

A standard that measures the extent to which the product meets the needs of users.

User needs 

Internal users in the General Authority for Statistics of data of the Survey of Access and Use of ICT by Establishments:

•     International Indicators Department.
•     Partnerships and client support Department.

Some several external users and beneficiaries greatly benefit from The Survey of ICT Access and Use by Households and Individuals data, including:

•     Government entities.
•     Regional and international organizations.
•     Research institutions.
•     Media.
•     Individuals.

Key variables benefiting external users:

Completeness 

The data for the ICT access and use survey by establishments is based on data collected from a sample of economic establishments representing various economic sectors across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This is to provide comprehensive information on indicators of ICT access and use by establishments, with the data being in a complete state.

Accuracy and reliability 

A standard that measures how close the calculations or estimates are to the exact or true values that reflect reality.

Overall accuracy 

• The data collected is improved through the researchers, that have been selected according to a set of practical and objective criteria and training program related to the field of work.
•     Alerting, prevention, and correction rules are applied during the data collection process to the electronic questionnaire for ICT access and use for households and individuals in order to improve the quality of the data.
•     Data is checked with previous years to identify any significant changes in the data.
•     The internal consistency of the data is checked before it is finalized.
•     The links between variables are checked and coherence between different data series is confirmed.

Timeliness and punctuality 

A standard that measures the time gap between the availability of information and the occurrence of the event.
However, timeliness reflects the time difference between the date of data publication and the target date when it is actually published.

Timeliness 

GASTAT uses the Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS) issued by the International Monetary Fund. According to this Standard, all statistics agencies are required to publish data on an annual basis, and with a delay of not more than mid of year (180 days) after the end of the reference period. If the data are from different source, they may be published in a different frequency.

Punctuality 

The publication is done according to the publication dates in the statistical calendar published for the Survey of Access and Use of ICT by Establishments on the website page of the General Authority for Statistics.
The data are available at the expected time, as scheduled in the statistical release calendar, If the publication is delayed, reasons shall be provided.

Coherence and comparability

Statistics should be consistent internally and over time, and logically interconnected across scope and statistical domains, meaning that data should be comparable across regions and countries as well as across different time periods for the same region, and data from diverse sources can be combined and used interchangeably.

Comparability – geographical

The data is geographically comparable.

Comparability - over time 

The survey began in 2017 and is an annual survey that is carried out periodically. The survey relies on a clear methodology and comparable time series, allowing data to be compared over time:

•     2020 – 2021:

The survey was not conducted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

•     2022:

The survey frequency was adjusted to become annual surveys.

Coherence- cross domain

The data and results of this survey are consistent across the spectrum.

Coherence- sub-annual and annual statistics 

Not applicable.

Coherence- National Accounts 

Not applicable.

Coherence- internal 

The estimates of the 2023 ICT access and use survey by establishments have full internal consistency, as they are all based on the same accurate dataset and are calculated using the same estimation methods.

Accessibility and clarity

The accessibility of users to obtain the data and the availability of accurate or aggregate data, as well as the availability of the methodology and quality report.

Press releases

The announcements for each publication are available on the statistical calendar as mentioned in 10.1. The press releases can be viewed on the website of GASTAT on the link: 
https://stats.gov.sa/news

Publications

GASTAT issues publications and reports on the Survey of Access and Use of ICT by Establishments regularly within a pre-prepared dissemination plan and is published on GASTAT’s website. GASTAT is keen to publish its publications in a way that serves all users of different types, including publications in different formats that contain (publication tables, data graphs, indicators, metadata, methodology, and questionnaires) in both English and Arabic.
The results of the Survey of Access and Use of ICT by Establishments are available on:
https://www.stats.gov.sa/statisticshttps://www.stats.gov.sa/statistics

On-line database

Not available.

Microdata accessibility

Accurate data is unit-level disaggregated data obtained from multiple sources such as sample statistical surveys, general population and housing censuses, and administrative systems, providing detailed information about the characteristics of individuals, families, business entities, and geographical areas, supporting the construction and development of statistical indicators and scientific research.
The different types of microdata files to meet different information needs:

•     Public use: 

‌It consists of sets of records containing information on individuals, households, or business entities anonymized in such a way that the respondent cannot be identified either directly such as: ‌(name, address, contact number, identity number etc.) or indirectly (by combining different - especially rare - characteristics of respondents) such as: (age, occupation, education etc.).

•     Scientific use:

These files established based on specific methodology asked by data requester to extract the datasets with specific characteristics used for strategic studies and decision making as well scientific research purposes on individuals, households and enterprises with no direct identifiers, which have been subject to control methods to protect confidentiality.
Qualified users who meet the standards and procedures of confidentiality protection can access the files of scientific use of accurate data through the platform "ITAHA" of the General Authority for Statistics, while the most sensitive data for use is shared by visiting the accurate data laboratory within a secure environment managed by the Authority.

References and standards

Concepts, definitions, issues and classifications are based on the international standards of the International Telecommunication Union's “Measuring ICT Access and Use by Households and Individuals” manual, 2020 edition.
Manual for the Production of Statistics on the Digital Economy 2020 | UNCTAD

Quality assurance

GASTAT takes the following principles into consideration: Impartiality, ensuring that the statistical product is user-oriented, maintaining the quality of processes and outputs, enhancing the effectiveness of statistical operations, and reducing the burden on respondents. 
Data validation is carried out through procedures and quality controls that are implemented at different stages throughout the process such as: (data entry, data collection, and other final controls).

Quality assessment

GASTAT performs all statistical activities according to a national model (Generic Statistical Business Process Model – GSBPM). According to the GSBPM, the final stage of statistical activities is overall evaluation using information gathered in each stage or sub-process. This information is used to prepare the evaluation report, which outlines all the quality issues related to the specific statistical activity and serves as input for improvement actions.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality – Policy

According to Royal Decree No. 23 dated 07/12/1379, data must always be kept confidential and must be used by GASTAT for statistical purposes only.
Therefore, the data is protected in the data servers of GASTAT.

Confidentiality - Data Treatment

Data of SMEs survey are presented in the right tables in order to summarize, understand, as well as extract their results. Moreover, to compare them with other data, and to obtain statistical significance about the selected study population. However, referring to such data indicated in tables is much easier than going back to check the original questionnaire that may include some data like names and addresses of individuals, and names of data providers, which violates data confidentiality of statistical data.
“Anonymity of data” is one of the most important procedures. To keep data confidential,
GASTAT removed information on individual persons, households, or business entities such a way that the respondent cannot be identified either directly such as: (Names, addresses, contact numbers, or identification numbers. etc.) or indirectly (by combining different - especially rare - characteristics of respondents: (age, occupation, education etc.).

Dissemination policy

Statistical calendar

The Survey of ICT Access and Use by Establishments has been included in the statistical calendar.
Statistical Calendar

User access

One of GASTAT’s objectives is to better meet its clients' needs by providing them with the results immediately upon the release of the Survey of Access and Use of ICT by Establishments Publication.
It also receives questions and inquiries from clients about the publication and its results through various communication channels, such as:

•     GASTAT official website:  www.stats.gov.sa
•     GASTAT official e-mail address:  info@stats.gov.sa
•     Client support e-mail address: info@stats.gov.sa
•     Official visits to GASTAT’s official head office in Riyadh or one of its branches in Saudi Arabia.
•     Official letters.
•     Statistical telephone: (199009).