Methodology and Quality Update

Latest Update on Methodology and Quality

2026/01/26

Statistical Presentation

Data description

The Livestock Statistics publication is an annual publication that provides up-to-date data for beneficiaries, decision-makers, and researchers. It includes information on cattle and poultry in specialized agricultural projects, livestock in traditional holdings, organic farming, honey, exports and imports, and credit loans at the level of the Kingdom’s administrative regions. All of these are presented in statistical tables and analytical reports.
The livestock statistics covered the main characteristics:
•    Livestock including sheep, goats, cattle, and camels.
•    Organic livestock including sheep, goats, cattle, camels, and beehives.
•    Specialized cattle farms.
•    Specialized broiler farms.
•    Laying hen farms, mothers, grandmothers and specialized hatcheries.
•    Livestock exports and imports.
•    Development loans granted for livestock.

Classifications

The following classifications are applied in Livestock Statistics.
The National Classification for Economic Activities (ISIC4):
The International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC4) is used to describe the production activities of an establishment —the National Classification of Economic Activities (ISIC4).
Harmonized System for Commodity Classification (H.S.2022):  
The Commodity exports and imports statistics are based on classification issued by the World Customs Organization (WCO), which is a table for describing and classifying goods that includes sub-items and their numeric codes, sections and chapters, in accordance with the Harmonized System Convention signed in Brussels.
Central Product Classification (CPC 2.1):
A coherent classification of products — including goods and services — issued by the United Nations Statistical Commission. It is based on a set of internationally agreed-upon concepts, definitions, principles, and classification rules. This classification serves as an international standard for compiling and categorizing all types of data that require product-level detail.  It also provides a comprehensive framework for collecting and presenting product data in a way that enables economic analysis to support decision-making and policy development at both the national and international  Central Product Classification (2.1CPC).
Metadata is collected through interviews, so that outputs can be produces in accordance with all relevant classifications. The classifications are available on GASTAT’s website Classifications - General Authority for Statistics

Statistical concepts and definitions

Terms and concepts of Livestock Statistics:
•    Holding:
It is an economic unit of agricultural production, in both crops and livestock, under single management, comprising all kept livestock and all land used totally or partially for agricultural production purposes regardless of ownership, legal form or area. The holding may be run by one single person or by a household. It also may be run jointly by two or more individuals or households. Such management may be undertaken by a juridical person such as a corporation, cooperative, government agency, etc. The land of the holding may consist of one or more parcels under one name, on the condition that the parcels shall share the same means of production, such as workforce or agricultural machinery and equipment. The association may be obvious and visible to be considered one economic unit.
•    Holding Type:
There are two types of holdings: 
•    Traditional holding(unregulated): 
It is the most common type of agricultural holding in the Kingdom. Traditional holdings do not require previous approval or licenses from concerned entities, and their production activities may be crops based, livestock based, or both.
•    Specialized (regulated):
This type of holding includes the preapproved holdings (projects) that have acquired licenses from the concerned entities after submitting technical and economic studies for the establishment of such holdings, whether they are holdings specialized in crops, livestock, poultry or fishery production, or projects that mainly adopt modern unconventional irrigation methods, the use of agricultural mechanization and modern technology in agricultural production and specialization in production with regard to open or protected agriculture, raising cows to produce milk or fattening calves, sheep and poultry.
•    Main activity of holding:
The main activity of a holding is the prevailing activity carried out by the holding which is consistent with its economic revenues, such that it represents more than 50% of the annual income of that holding.
For the purposes of this agricultural census, the main activities of holdings have been divided into five categories: 
-    Crop holding:
A holding in which the agricultural activity represents more than 50% of its annual income during an agricultural year, depending on various permanent and temporary winter and summer crops.
-    Livestock holding:
A holding in which the livestock activity represents more than 50% of its annual income during an agricultural year, depending on various types of animal resources and livestock farmed on the holding (lamb, sheep, camel, cow, riding and draught animals) and on beehives.
-    Poultry Holding:
A holding in which the poultry production activity represents more than 50% of its annual income during an agricultural year, depending on various types of poultry (boiler chicken, laying chicken, parent chicken, grandparent chicken, free range chicken, other birds such as ostrich, duck, goose, or quail). Rabbits are also considered poultry.
-    Fish holding:
A holding in which fish production activity represents more than 50% of its annual income during an agricultural year, depending on the farming and aquaculture of fish in internal ponds such as farms dedicated to fish or shrimp production.
-    Mixed holding:
When the activity at the holding is mixed and none of its components represent more than 50% of the holding’s annual income during an agricultural year, provided that the holding practices three or more different activities from the following: (crops, livestock, poultry, or fish activities) and that each component represents less than 50% of the holding’s activity.
•    Type of specialized agricultural project:
For agricultural surveys, specialized projects have been divided into 8 types as follows:
-    Specialized cow farms:
They are farms (projects) dedicated to raising cows for commercial purposes "whether for the purpose of producing milk and its derivatives or fattening calves", and contain stalls, breeding pens, automatic milking, refrigerated room or refrigerated tank, feed warehouse ... etc. 
-    Broiler farms:
They are farms (projects) dedicated to raising chickens for the purpose of meat production and breeding breeds that have the ability to convert feed into meat.
-    Laying hens farms:
They are farms (projects) dedicated to egg production and breeds are raised in them with a high ability to convert feed into eggs.
-    Farms of broiler chicken mothers:
They are farms (projects) dedicated to the production of hatching eggs that are used for the production of broiler chickens.
-    Farms of grandmothers of laying hens:
They are farms (projects) dedicated to the production of hatching eggs that are used for the production of laying hens.
-    Farms of broiler chicken grandmothers:
They are farms (projects) dedicated to the production of hatching eggs that are used for the production of broiler chicken mothers.
-    Farms of mothers of laying hens:
They are farms (projects) dedicated to the production of hatching eggs that are used for the production of laying hens.
-    Hatchery farms:
Projects for producing different types of laying or broiler chicks or mother chickens, whether the used hatching eggs are produced by those projects, purchased from other local projects, or imported from abroad.
•    Livestock:
Livestock has several types, which are as follows:
-    Lamb:
It is a sheep that have wool covering their bodies and includes the following breeds: (Najdi lamb, Nuaimi lamb and Hari lamb) in addition to other breeds.
-    Goats:
It is a sheep whose body is covered with hair and includes the following breeds: (Domestic goats, foreign goats and hybrid goats).
-    Camels:
Camels include the following breeds: (Local camels, foreign camels and hybrid camels).
-    Cows:
Cows include the following breeds: (Domestic cows, foreign cows and hybrid cows).
•    Dairy cows:
They are female animals, whether sheep, goats, cows or camels, whose age has reached puberty and sexual maturity to be able to conceive and give birth and become able to produce milk after birth.
•    Draught, mount and other animals:
They are animals produced for work in the holding by riding them or using them to pull carts or plow and are represented by donkeys, mules, horses...
-    Note: Pets such as dogs and cats are not considered draught, riding or other animals and their data are not completed in the agricultural survey forms.
•    Domestic poultry in traditional holdings:
Includes all poultry and birds in holdings not specialized in poultry production such as chickens, pigeons, ducks, quails, rabbits ...
•    Raw milk:
It is a liquid nutrient excreted from female dairy animals (lamb, goat, cows, and camels), and milk is the main component of dairy products such as curd, yogurt, cream, cheese, butter, dried milk, etc.
•    Farm capacity:
The maximum possible number of birds or animals that can be accommodated and raised on the farm during a day in the year during the survey year.
•    Barns:
It is the place designated for raising animals or domestic birds, and it may be in the form of other designated buildings.
•    Cycles throughout the year for "poultry":
It is the number of productive cycles that the farmer raised during the survey year, and its period extends from the beginning of chick breeding (one day old) until the end of marketing the producing poultry to sales outlets.
•    Organic fertilizer:
It is a natural manure (manure) produced from livestock or poultry during the breeding process, and is used in fertilizing agricultural land, which is a food source for plants as an alternative to the use of chemical fertilizers because it contains a high percentage of nitrogen.
•    Table eggs: 
It is an egg intended for human eating and a product from laying hens farms.
•    Hatching eggs (fertilized):
It is a pollinated egg produced from farms of mothers and grandmothers of layer chicken and used in hatcheries to produce chicks for farms of broiler and layer chicken as well as mothers of layer chicken and broiler chickens. 
•    Agricultural loans:
Loans provided to finance agricultural fields for the purpose of raising and producing livestock, beekeeping, and veterinary pharmacies.
•    Agricultural exports:
According to foreign trade statistics standards, this refers to all agricultural goods (livestock) that are fully produced or manufactured locally, or that have undergone an industrial process that changes their form and value for export outside the Kingdom.
•    Agricultural imports:
According to foreign trade statistics standards, this refers to all imported agricultural goods and products (livestock) that enter the country to meet local needs and that undergo all standard customs procedures required to complete the import of a commodity.

Data sources

Livestock statistics data are based on two sources:
First source: The 2024 Agricultural Survey was conducted using an electronic field questionnaire, and its data are quantitative in nature (numbers, areas, and quantities).
Second source: Register-based data from the following government entities:
•    Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture:
The data from the ministry were relied upon, analyzed, and incorporated into the publication. The data are quantitative in nature (numbers, areas, and quantities).
•    Agricultural Development Fund.
Data on loans granted for livestock activities for 2024: The data are quantitative in nature (numbers and percentages).

Designing the data collection tool

A data collection tool was designed for two sources:
Agricultural survey data:
 An electronic questionnaire (CAPI) was designed to ensure ease of use by field researchers, along with a telephone version (CATI) for contacting respondents when needed, and a web-based version (CAWI) sent via email link for self-completion. The tool’s design went through several steps, including identifying the key variables and constructing the questions based on the concepts, definitions, and classifications provided by the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, which are aligned with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) standards.
The questionnaire consists of the Agricultural Production Survey and the Specialized Agricultural Projects Survey (cattle farms, broiler chicken farms, layer, parent, and grandparent chicken farms, hatcheries) and is divided into 10 sections:
Common sections:
•    Section one: Basic data:
•    Section two: Identification data:
•    Section five: Commodity production requirements
•    Section six: Data on land use of holdings.
•    Section seven: Change in assets
•    Section eight: Number of employees and their due compensations
•    Section nine: Income, expenses, and subsidies.
•    Section Ten: Methods of waste and mortality disposal.
Uncommon sections: 
•    Agricultural Production Survey   
-    Section four: Livestock:
•    Specialized Agricultural Projects Survey (caw farms)
-    Section three: Number of cows in the farm 
-    Section four: Cow farm production (produced, purchased, and sold)  
and fattening of calves 
•    Specialized Agricultural Projects Survey (broiler chicken farms)
-    Section three: The number of chicks used and chickens produced
-    Section four: Production of broiler chickens from organic fertilizer
•    Specialized Agricultural Projects Survey (laying chickens , mothers and grandmothers farms)
-    Section three: Number of birds and egg production.
-    Section four: Production of laying hens from organic fertilizer and its distribution 
•    Specialized Agricultural Projects Survey (Hatcheries):
-    Section three: Egg used.
-    Section four: Hatchery production of chicks and methods of disposal
Key indicators of the data collection tool:

Review and Correction Rules:
To ensure the quality of agricultural survey data, four types of review and correction rules were established, as follows:
•    Automated adjustment rules:
These rules are applied for the automatic calculation of certain fields or automatic adjustment of responses in specific fields to align with some questionnaires, totaling approximately 50 rules.
•    Navigation rules between sections and fields:
Special rules were programmed to organize automatic navigation between sections and fields, as well as between agricultural survey questionnaires, based on the respondent’s input, totaling approximately 40 rules.
•    Error rules: 
These rules cannot be bypassed during data entry. The field researcher must correct the data by referring back to the respondent to ensure accuracy. There are approximately 500 such rules.
•    Alert (Warning) Rules: 
These rules are designed to verify the correctness of the data entered by the researcher. The field researcher may override them if the data accuracy is confirmed, with a total of approximately 50 rules.
Register-based data (organic and transitioning livestock, number of traditional and modern beehives, honey production quantity, and credit loans): 
Registry data are collected using standardized data request tables sent to the data-owning entities, aiming to obtain periodic, coordinated, and verified data derived from administrative records related to indicators of organic and transitioning livestock, the number of traditional and modern beehives, honey production quantities, and credit loans. This approach ensures improved data quality and integration across different sources.

Questionnaire test (cognitive test)

The survey questionnaire (Agricultural Production, Cattle Farms, Broiler Chicken Farms, Layer, Parent, and Grandparent Chicken Farms, Hatcheries) was tested to assess respondents’ understanding of the questions. Questions were asked to the respondents, and their answers were recorded in a cognitive testing form designed by specialists at GASTAT.

Statistical population

The statistical population for the Livestock Statistics consists of a sample of agricultural holdings across the 13 administrative regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, classified by (type of holding, main activity of the holding, holding area, and livestock distribution by type), along with a comprehensive census of specialized agricultural projects (cattle farms, broiler chicken farms, layer, parent, and grandparent chicken farms, and hatcheries).

Sample Design

Traditional Holdings samples:
•    Sample type: Stratified.
•    Sampling frame: Comprehensive Agricultural Survey frame 2023.
•    Basic unit: Agricultural holding.
•    Size of sample: 30 thousand.
The sample was designed using a stratified cluster random sampling method.  The total sample size reached 30,000 agricultural holdings, distributed across the administrative regions as follows:
Table1: Distribution of the sample at the level of administrative regions:

Regarding specialized agricultural projects, no sample is designed or drawn; instead, a comprehensive census is conducted covering all 13 administrative regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, based on the 2023 agricultural frame.

Statistical unit (sampling unit)

Statistical Unit in Livestock Statistics - Agricultural Holdings.

Data collection

Data collection from the survey:
Livestock data are collected through telephone interviews (CATI), online questionnaires (CAWI), or face-to-face interviews (CAPI).
Data collection from administrative records:
Administrative data for Livestock Statistics are obtained from the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, and the Agricultural Development Fund. The data are stored in GASTAT's databases after undergoing verification and review according to approved statistical methods and recognized quality standards. In case of errors or observations, the data source is consulted. Additionally, both administrative and survey data are checked for consistency, completeness, logical accuracy, and to ensure no duplication.

Data collection frequency 

The process of collecting Livestock Statistics data is carried out on an annual basis. 

Reference area

Livestock statistics cover the 13 administrative regions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Reference period (time reference)

The Livestock Statistics data are based on the year 2024

Base period

Not applicable.

Measurement unit

•    Ton: For quantities such as production, exports, and imports.
•    Square meter: Size of barns.
•    Numbers such as: Number of projects.
•    Head: Numbers of livestock.
•    Chicken: Number of chickens.
•    Chick: Number of chicks     
•    Egg: Number of eggs.
•    Bird: Number of birds.
•    Beehive: Number of beehives
•    Saudi Riyal: Value of exports and imports.
•    Liter: Quantity of raw milk production from cattle
•    Kg Quantity of chicken produced

Time coverage

Data are available from 2023-2024. 

Publication frequency

The results of Livestock Statistics are published annually according to the approved statistical plan.

Statistical processing

Error detection

First: Survey data: Accurate procedures are carried out to detect errors in the data collected during the field survey and stored in the data lake. This is achieved through the automation of the data collection tool and the implementation of necessary constraints and procedures to control and manage the entered data, ensuring quality, accuracy, and consistency. Additionally, supportive methods are used to measure quality indicators, such as the survey response rate. These procedures include:
•    Identifying illogical or out-of-range values, such as inconsistent quantities or numbers.
•    Detecting missing values.
•    Reviewing internal consistency between questionnaire responses to verify logical relationships and data accuracy.
•    Comparing survey data with previous data to ensure validity and prepare for data processing, results extraction, and review.
Second: Register-based data: Verification and review procedures are conducted through: 
•    Identifying illogical or out-of-range values, such as inconsistent quantities or totals.
•    Categorizing data to verify accuracy, with reference to the primary data source when errors or quality issues are detected.
•    Reviewing internal consistency among the provided data to ensure logical coherence.
•    Comparing the provided data with previous records to ensure validity and prepare for data processing, results extraction, and review.

Data integration and matching from multiple sources 

Two main sources were used to produce the Livestock Statistics:  Register-based data provided by relevant entities, and data collected from the Agricultural Survey.  These data are processed integratively to ensure comprehensiveness and accuracy of the statistical outputs.
The process of data matching and consistency verification is carried out through several steps: 
•    Checking for duplication or variation in values.
•    Comparing common variables (such as the number of projects and production quantities).
•    Resolving discrepancies by giving priority to the most accurate and comprehensive data.
•    Reviewing with the data source to clarify discrepancies.
This procedure aims to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the final data used in preparing the statistical publication, providing a clear and unified picture of the livestock sector.

Imputation and calibration

Handling missing values (Imputation):
In cases of missing or incomplete data, approved statistical imputation methods are applied, such as using central tendency measures or the hot deck method, where missing values are replaced based on a set of variables within the same dataset, or the cold deck method, where an external source is used based on a set of variables. This is done to minimize missing cases. Administrative records are also consulted to support data completion, ensuring completeness and consistency in the final results.
Procedures for calculating variables and aggregates:
•    By region: Total production is calculated for each administrative region by summing the production quantities of all listed types (Cattle, Broiler Chickens, Layer Chickens, Livestock).
•    By type: To calculate total production by type of chicken or livestock, the production quantities of the same type were aggregated across all administrative regions.
•    By source: Hatching egg production was distinguished by source (produced by the project, purchased from local projects, imported), with data for each source aggregated separately by administrative region and type.
Non-response:
If some projects do not provide a response during the field visit, and since data collection is conducted as a complete census, administrative records and available historical time series for these projects are used to complete the data, ensuring comprehensiveness and accuracy of the results.

Seasonal adjustments

Not applicable. The final results are published based on the available agricultural survey data and data provided by the relevant authorities.

Adjustment of preliminary results 

Not applicable. The results are published in their final form and are not released as preliminary results.

Used Resources

Quality dimensions

Suitability

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

User needs 

The Livestock Statistics product aims to provide fundamental and structured data on livestock rearing and production activities, and to build a reliable information base that supports decision-makers and researchers. It also contributes to preparing studies and conducting local, regional, and international comparisons to develop this vital sector.
Key variables that users benefit from include:
•    Number of cattle farms, number of barns, their area, and capacity.
•    Quantity of raw milk production from cattle.
•    Quantity of broiler chicken production.
•    Quantity of table egg production.
•    Number of sheep.
•    Number of goats.
•    Number of camels.
•    Number of cattle.
•    Exports, imports, and re-exports.
Livestock Statistics data are also used by: 
Internal users within GASTAT: 
•    National accounts and price statistics.
•    International indicators. 
External users who rely heavily on Livestock Statistics, including:
•    Government entities.

•    Regional and international organizations.

•    Research institutions.
•    Media.
•    Individuals.

Completeness 

A comprehensive review of data from various sources was conducted to ensure its completeness and compliance with national requirements and international standards, including SDG indicators and other relevant metrics. This review aimed to guarantee the accuracy, comprehensiveness, and alignment of the data with international standards.
The publication includes the following key elements: 
•    Number of cattle projects by type of project at the level of administrative regions in the kingdom
•    Number of broiler chicken projects, the number of barns, the capacity, the quantity of production, and the quantity sold at the level of the regions of the Kingdom 
•    Number of laying hen’s projects, the number of barns, the capacity, and the quantity of table egg production from specialized chicken projects, at the level of the regions of the Kingdom.
•    Number of livestock in the kingdom 
•    Livestock exports and imports by product group.
•    Investment loans granted for livestock activities.

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 

Errors that may be detected and affect data accuracy:
•    Updating the Statistical Frame:
The agricultural framework is a key tool for defining samples in agricultural surveys. Therefore, failing to update the framework continuously affects its ability to accurately reflect the actual status of agricultural holdings.
•    Data aggregation errors:
Aggregated totals may not match the details by type due to differences in aggregation methods from the source.
Data accuracy and reliability are ensured through:
•    Using updated statistical frameworks.
•    Training and qualifying data specialists to enhance their efficiency.
•    Applying alert rules, error rules, and correction rules during data collection in the electronic questionnaire.
•    Comparing data with previous years to identify any significant changes.
•    Verifying internal consistency of the data, including coordination with the data-providing entity to standardize coverage and ensure consistency between totals.
•    Examining relationships between variables and ensuring consistency across time series of different datasets.

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 

The General Authority for Statistics is keen to apply internationally recognized standards with regard to announcing and clarifying the timing of statistical releases on its official website through the statistical calendar, as well as adhering to the announced release schedule, while ensuring that the timing is consistent with international standards and the recommendations adopted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). In the event of any delay, an update will be provided accordingly.

Punctuality 

The publication is carried out according to the release dates in the statistical calendar for Livestock Statistics, as published on GASTAT website.
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 livestock statistical data are fully comparable geographically across the regions of the Kingdom, as well as at the regional and international levels, in accordance with the standards used to develop the specialized agricultural projects questionnaire, based on the concepts, definitions, and classifications provided by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). 
Furthermore, the geographic distribution of projects has not changed within the administrative boundaries of the Kingdom, ensuring that key indicators and their related variables remain unaffected. Concepts and definitions aligned with international standards have been adopted to ensure the accuracy and quality of the statistical Publication.

Comparability - over time 

The ability to compare current data with historical data has been maintained. Despite continuous improvements in the survey and updates to the questionnaire, the results of Livestock publication remain comparable over time.
The main changes to the publication are as follows:
•    2015:
The Agricultural Census included data on livestock.
•    2017:
The first agricultural survey was conducted, covering a comprehensive census of specialized agricultural projects (cattle farms, broiler chicken farms, ostriches, rabbits, quail, pigeons), with data published in 2018.
•    2018:
An agricultural survey was conducted again covering a comprehensive census of specialized agricultural projects (cattle farms, broiler chicken farms, ostriches, rabbits, quail, pigeons), with data published in 2019.
•    2019:
 A gap in livestock data occurred, as data collection was not conducted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
•    2020 - 2021:
The agricultural survey resumed, including a comprehensive census of specialized agricultural projects, with data published in 2022.
•    2022:
A gap occurred in the specialized agricultural projects survey, as the survey was not conducted in preparation for the Comprehensive Agricultural Survey 2023.
•    2023:
The Livestock Statistics publication was established, based on the Comprehensive Agricultural Survey and register-based data

Coherence- Cross domain

The General Authority for Statistics has ensured the consistency of livestock data by aligning them with international trade statistics based on the Harmonized System for commodity classification and coding (HS 2017). This includes verifying that export and import data for livestock products are consistent with the publication's results and ensuring that quantities are coherent when aggregated across multiple levels (e.g., product type and reference year). In case of any discrepancies between sources, their causes are systematically analyzed and addressed according to approved statistical quality standards. This process aims to provide a consistent and reliable picture of livestock sector in the Kingdom, facilitating temporal comparisons and enhancing alignment with national and international data sources. 

Coherence- Sub-annual and annual statistics 

Not applicable, as the Livestock Statistics are published only as an annual publication.

Coherence- National Accounts 

Livestock statistics data are integrated with the requirements of national accounts through the adoption of approved economic classifications, such as the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC4). The publication's results including data on production quantities, changes in assets, number of employed persons and their compensations, as well as income, expenditure, and price data are used as key inputs to estimate the contribution of the livestock sector to GDP within the national accounts framework. Continuous coordination with national accounts statistics ensures consistency between the publication's results and macroeconomic indicators.

Coherence- Internal 

The Livestock Statistics publication is internally consistent, with data within each dataset aligning logically and ensuring consistency across different measures, such as totals, quantities, and percentages.
Internal consistency is verified through:
•    Ensuring that data logically aligns with one another within the overall context of the publication.
•    Matching totals with detailed data by type and administrative region.
•    Reviewing relationships between indicators and variables, such as production quantities, number of projects, and number of barns.

Accessibility and clarity

The ability for users to access data, the availability of accurate or complete data, and the availability of a 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: 
Press release

Publications

The General Authority for Statistics is keen to publish the results of the Livestock Statistics Publication in a way that serves all users, including publications in various formats containing (data tables and charts, methodology and quality reports, and the questionnaires used) in both Arabic and English.
The results of livestock statistics are available at the link:
 GASTAT official website of - Livestock Statistics

Online database

The data is published on the statistical database on the link:
Statistical database

Microdata accessibility

Not available.

References and standards

The processing and classification of raw data for Livestock Statistics relied on the classification and coding inputs collected during data collection, and were organized based on the concepts, definitions, and classifications provided by the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture and aligned with  the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The Guidelines for Completing the Questionnaire (Researcher Handbook) were adopted as the main reference for data collection teams and were officially used during the survey implementation. The handbook provides clear instructions for filling out the questionnaire, comprehensive explanations of the concepts and definitions used, and guidance for handling various field situations, ensuring data quality, accuracy, and consistency with survey standards.
Livestock Statistics Framework:
The General Authority for Statistics conducts all its statistical activities according to a unified methodology that aligns with the nature of each statistical product. It relies on a Statistical Business Procedures Manual that is consistent with the work procedures adopted by international organizations, in coordination with the relevant authorities.
For more details, you can refer to the attachment. 
Generic Statistical Business Process Model(GSBPM)

Quality assurance

GASTAT declares that it considers the following principles: 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 is validated through procedures and quality controls that are applied during the process at various stages, 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 phase of statistical activities is overall evaluation using information gathered in each phase 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 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: (name, address, contact number, identity number etc.) or indirectly (by combining different - especially rare - characteristics of respondents) such as: (age, occupation, education etc.).

Dissemination policy

Statistical calendar

Livestock Statistics are added to the statistical calendar.
Statistical Calendar

User access

One of the objectives of the General Authority for Statistics is to better meet the needs of its users; therefore, the results of the Livestock Statistics Publication are made available to all users immediately upon release.
It also receives questions and enquiries from clients about the publication and its results through various communication channels, such as:
•    GASTAT official website: www.stats.gov.sa
•    GASTAT official email 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).