Heads of statistical offices of GCC countries convene for an extraordinary coordination meeting

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) in Saudi Arabia participated in the extraordinary coordinating meeting of the heads of national statistical offices of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The meeting was held virtually, with the participation of the heads of statistical offices of the member countries, along with the Director General of the GCC Statistical Centre.
This meeting was convened to enhance statistical coordination and integration among the GCC countries, thereby supporting decision-makers with accurate, reliable, and up-to-date data and indicators that reflect economic performance and keep pace with rapidly evolving global changes.
The president of GASTAT, Fahad Aldossari, emphasized the continued efforts to develop the statistical ecosystem and enhance its readiness by improving the quality of official statistics, strengthening the efficiency of statistical analysis, and expanding the use of administrative records to support national indicators.
The meeting also discussed several priority topics, most notably economic indicators such as price indices, industrial production, foreign trade, and gross domestic product (GDP).
The meeting concluded with an emphasis on the importance of continuing joint statistical work, strengthening data integration and exchange, and developing coordination mechanisms and knowledge sharing to support effective responses to global changes and contribute to stability and sustainable growth.
 

The annual inflation rate of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in Saudi Arabia reached 1.9% in March 2026, compared with March 2025. On a monthly basis, the index recorded a relative increase of 0.3% compared to February 2025.
In the same context, the annual rate of the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) reached 3.3% in March 2026 compared to its counterpart in 2025. On a monthly basis, the index recorded a relative increase of 0.2% compared to February 2026. 
It is worth noting that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) reflects changes in prices paid by consumers for a fixed basket of 582 items, while the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) reflects price movements for goods at the pre-retail stage for a fixed basket of 343 items.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) announced the winning teams of the Data Innovation Hackathon, organized from February 15 to April 15, 2026. The hackathon is the first of its kind in leveraging innovation and technology to advance statistical work, as part of “Road to Riyadh” series of events in preparation for Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the 6th UNWDF in November 2026.
In addition, GASTAT revealed that the hackathon comprised two main tracks, in which 132 teams competed. A total of 16 teams qualified for the final stage, with eight teams in the “Innovative Data Collection” track focusing on the use of non-traditional sources and eight teams in the “Intelligent Processing and Classification” track, leveraging artificial intelligence technologies. The final judging phase resulted in the selection of six winning teams that presented innovative solutions aimed at enhancing the quality of official statistics and enhancing their reliability.
In the same context, GASTAT will hold the closing ceremony on Monday, April 20, at its headquarters, where the detailed results of the hackathon will be announced. The event will showcase the winning projects and highlight the most prominent innovative solutions presented, in addition to honoring the winning teams in recognition of their efforts and contributions to advancing statistical work and enhancing data quality.
It is noteworthy that the Data Innovation Hackathon reflects GASTAT’s commitment to expanding the use of modern technologies and enhancing the role of artificial intelligence in developing statistical processes, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to build a knowledge-based economy driven by data. It also highlights the progress of the statistical sector in Saudi Arabia and strengthens its position as a leading regional hub in data and innovation while enabling national and international talent, including students, academics, and professionals to participate in developing practical solutions to statistical challenges.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released the results of the Industrial Production Index (IPI) for February 2026, which showed an increase of 8.9% compared to the same month of the previous year, supported by growth in mining and quarrying, manufacturing, and water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities.
In terms of sub-indices, the sub-index for mining and quarrying activity recorded a year-on-year increase of 13.0%. The manufacturing sub-index rose by 3.6%, while the sub-index for water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities increased by 8.1%. In contrast, the sub-index for electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply recorded a year-on-year decrease of 3.7%.
As for the main economic activities, the results showed a 11.5% year-on-year increase in the oil activities index and a 2.4% increase in the non-oil activities index.
It is noteworthy that the IPI is an economic indicator that reflects the relative changes in the volume of industrial production, based on data from the Industrial Production Survey. The survey is conducted on a sample of establishments operating in the targeted industrial activities, namely mining and quarrying, manufacturing, electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply, as well as water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) held a panel discussion titled “Pulse of Numbers: Statistical Data in the Service of Health” as part of “Road to Riyadh” events, with the participation of a distinguished group of leaders and experts from GASTAT, the Ministry of Health, the Public Health Authority, and the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean.
The session discussed the pivotal role of statistical data in supporting decision-making in the healthcare sector by enhancing the quality and reliability of health indicators, advancing data governance practices, and strengthening integration among relevant entities, thereby improving the efficiency of health planning. It also addressed the role of advanced technologies in developing health systems and improving data accessibility, as participants reviewed prominent experiences and practices in this field.
Participants also addressed investment in modern technologies and the qualitative leap it has achieved in health data analysis, as well as the role of artificial intelligence, which has become a key enabler in supporting data-driven healthcare decision-making.
Participants highlighted Saudi Arabia’s achievement of advanced levels of international recognition for the quality of its health data, noting that improvements in mortality data quality have contributed to increasing life expectancy. They also indicated that health data has helped reshape a more comprehensive understanding of the health status in Saudi Arabia through the integration of statistical data with administrative records, as well as the role of field surveys in achieving more accurate population representation.
It is noteworthy that this session is part of GASTAT’s efforts to highlight the statistical progress witnessed by Saudi Arabia under Saudi Vision 2030, as well as to enhance preparedness and coordination for hosting the 6th UNWDF 2026, scheduled to take place next November.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) organizes a panel discussion titled “Pulse of Numbers: Statistical Data in the Service of Health” on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. The session is part of “Road to Riyadh” event series, organized in preparation for Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the 6th UNWDF, scheduled to take place in Riyadh next November.
This session is part of efforts to strengthen the role of statistical data in supporting the national healthcare system by enhancing the quality and reliability of health statistics and advancing data governance practices, thereby improving the efficiency of health-related decision-making and strengthening the sector’s ability to respond to emerging health challenges.
The session addresses several key themes, including the role of advanced technologies in shaping the future of healthcare, strengthening the measurement of health indicators to support sustainable development, and improving access to and governance of health data. The session features several leaders and experts, including Dr. Abdullah Mufreh Asiri, Dr. Abdulaziz Mohammed Al-Rabiah, Eng. Saad Abdulatif Alhuzami, Dr. Ada Mohammed Al-Qunaibet, Dr. Omar Saleh Aldibasi, and Dr. Arash Rashidian. The session is opened by Dr. Fatimah Al Waef, General Supervisor of Social Statistics at GASTAT, and moderated by Dr. Arwa Mohammed Alameenn, Director General of the General Department of Statistics and Information at the Ministry of Health.
It is noteworthy that this session is part of an integrated series of events including panel discussions, conferences, and workshops organized by GASTAT under “Road to Riyadh” events. These events aim to highlight the statistical advances underway in Saudi Arabia under Saudi Vision 2030 and to enhance coordination and readiness for hosting the Forum next November.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) has announced that it will keep collecting data for the 2026 statistical surveys, which are designed to provide useful information to support decision-makers and policymakers create effective economic and social plans.
The data collection phase includes several methods, such as self-reporting, telephone interviews, and field visits. It targets establishments in both the public and private sectors, as well as households and individuals.
In the same context, GASTAT announced the launch of a self-reporting service for several statistical surveys and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the confidentiality of all data collected from targeted groups, which are used exclusively for statistical purposes. It also noted that self-reporting aligns with the objectives of digital transformation and Saudi Vision 2030.
In addition, GASTAT called on all members of society, including establishments, households, and individuals, to fulfill their national responsibility by responding to its call to participate in completing statistical survey data.
GASTAT also provided several communication channels to respond to inquiries, including the unified phone number (199009), the customer support email (info@stats.gov.sa), and its official accounts on social media platforms.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) has announced the list of teams qualified for the final stage of the Data Innovation Hackathon. The first phase, covering outreach and screening, was launched on 15 February, alongside the official website and the reception of executive summaries of ideas. The hackathon aims to empower innovators and experts to address challenges related to the collection and processing of national statistical data.
The list of qualified teams includes 16 teams out of a total of 132 participating teams, with 8 teams selected for the “Innovative data collection” track, leveraging non-traditional data sources, and 8 teams for the “Intelligent processing and classification” track through the application of artificial intelligence technologies.
The final results are expected to be announced on April 15, following the virtual judging of the presentations. GASTAT will host a ceremony to honor the winners and award prizes totaling SAR 75,000.
It is noteworthy that the Data Innovation Hackathon is part of “Road to Riyadh” series of events organized by GASTAT in preparation for hosting the 6th UNWDF next November. The initiative aims to highlight Saudi Arabia’s readiness and the significant statistical development it is witnessing under Saudi Vision 2030.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) held a closing ceremony to celebrate the teams involved in the second round of Innovation Lab projects, acknowledging their hard work in creating statistical initiatives and projects that have helped improve institutional development and foster a culture of innovation in statistics.
During his opening remarks, the president of GASTAT, Fahad Aldossari, emphasized the importance of continuing to develop innovative initiatives and strengthening their role in advancing statistical work in a manner that supports decision-making.
It is noteworthy that GASTAT has launched a dedicated portal for receiving innovative ideas, enabling all those interested in official statistical work to submit their proposals and ideas via the following link:
https://www.stats.gov.sa/ar/innovation

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) has launched the Innovative Ideas Platform, a platform designed to enable the submission of innovative ideas in the field of official statistics. The platform facilitates the sharing of innovative ideas and supports the development of statistical solutions and methodologies.
The platform aims to promote a culture of innovation in the field of statistics and to attract high-quality ideas and initiatives that contribute to advancing statistical work and achieving its national objectives. This initiative comes as part of GASTAT efforts to enhance its statistical services, solutions, and outputs, in line with the transformation taking place in Saudi Arabia, and in support of building a more efficient and innovative statistical ecosystem.
GASTAT invites all interested parties to submit their innovative ideas in the field of statistics through the following link: https://www.stats.gov.sa/innovation
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) has released the results of the 2025 Volunteer Work Statistics, which showed that the volunteer rate among the population aged 15 years and older reached 9.5% during a four-week period and 19.0% over a 12-month period. Males recorded higher volunteer rates than females during both periods, with the male volunteer rate reaching 11.1% during the four-week period compared with 6.3% for females. Over the 12-month period, the volunteer rate for males reached 21.5%, compared with 14.2% for females.
The results also indicated that the volunteer rate among Saudis during the four-week period reached 9.3%, recording 11.9% for males and 6.8% for females. Meanwhile, the volunteer rate among non-Saudis during the same period reached 9.6%, with 10.7% for males and 5.3% for females. Over the 12-month period, the volunteer rate among Saudis reached 18.9%, recording 22.6% for males and 15.3% for females, while the volunteer rate among non-Saudis reached 19.1%, with 21.0% for males and 11.9% for females.
The results further indicated that direct volunteering was the most prevalent form of volunteering during the four-week period. Among Saudis, the direct volunteering rate reached 7.5%, compared with 1.6% for volunteering through volunteer-organizing entities and 0.2% for multiple volunteering. Among non-Saudis, the direct volunteering rate reached 8.0%, compared with 1.5% for volunteering through volunteer-organizing entities and 0.1% for multiple volunteering.

With regard to age groups, the results showed that the highest volunteer rate among Saudis during the four-week period was recorded in the 35–44 age group, at 13.6%. Within this group, the volunteer rate reached 18.5% among males and 8.8% among females. In terms of educational attainment, individuals holding a master’s or doctoral degree recorded the highest volunteer rates. The volunteer rate among Saudis holding a master’s or doctoral degree reached 19.5%, with 24.9% for males and 8.7% for females.
It is noteworthy that the Volunteer Work Survey is one of the household surveys conducted by GASTAT. The survey is based on a representative sample of approximately 24,000 households and aims to provide accurate data on the characteristics of volunteer work in Saudi Arabia, including volunteer rates, volunteering methods, and the characteristics of volunteers, in accordance with the standards of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released the results of the Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Statistics for 2025 and Q4 of the year. According to its estimates, the real GDP of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recorded a growth rate of 4.5% in 2025 compared with 2024. This growth was driven by increases across all economic activities, as oil activities grew by 5.7%, non-oil activities increased by 4.9%, and government activities rose by 0.9%.
The results revealed that GDP at current prices reached SAR 4,789 billion in 2025. Activities related to crude oil and natural gas recorded the highest contribution among economic activities at 17.1%, followed by government activities at 14.0%, then wholesale and retail trade, restaurants and hotels at 12.3%. Manufacturing activities excluding oil refining contributed 11.1%, followed by construction activities at 8.0%.
The results indicated that the Saudi economy grew by 5.0% in Q4 of 2025. Several economic activities continued to record notable growth rates, with crude oil and natural gas activities achieving the highest growth during Q4 at 12.4% year-on-year and 4.2% quarter-on-quarter. This was followed by wholesale and retail trade, restaurants and hotels, which grew by 5.4% on a year-on-year basis.
Oil activities were the largest contributor to real GDP growth in Q4 of 2025, contributing 2.6 percentage points, while non-oil activities contributed 2.4 percentage points. On a seasonally adjusted basis, non-oil activities contributed 0.9 percentage points, while oil activities contributed 0.5 percentage points in Q4 of 2025.
 

Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), participated in the 57th Session of the United Nations Statistical Commission, held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 3 to 6 March 2026. The session brought together heads of national statistical offices from around the world. Saudi Arabia’s participation reflects its commitment to strengthening its contribution to the development of international statistical work and supporting efforts to modernize the global statistical system.
The Saudi delegation was headed by the Vice President of GASTAT, Mr. Mohammed Al-Rshaid. During the meetings, the delegation highlighted Riyadh’s preparations to host the Sixth United Nations World Data Forum UNWDF next November, reaffirming Saudi Arabia’s commitment to early coordination with international partners to ensure alignment with the global statistical agenda and to strengthen integration between national and international data initiatives.
Mr. Al-Rshaid emphasized the leading role played by GASTAT in advancing the statistical sector, outlining three strategic pillars that underpin its development efforts. These include digital transformation and artificial intelligence through the integration of AI and Geo-AI technologies into statistical operations under an ambitious roadmap extending to 2030; knowledge leadership through spearheading the Arabic translation of the System of National Accounts 2025 to support the harmonization and advancement of statistical practices across the Arab region in line with international standards; and innovation in monitoring development through the launch of an integrated interactive system for managing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) data, ensuring efficient monitoring of indicators and meeting international requirements through an advanced methodological approach.
On the sidelines of the session, GASTAT participated in a specialized side event on “Data Governance” in its capacity as Co-Chair of the Data Governance Working Group established by the commission. During the event, the Vice President reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting the development of comprehensive data governance frameworks in the field of official statistics and to strengthening the role of national statistical offices within national and global data ecosystems, thereby enhancing the quality, reliability, and sustainability of data. The event featured a high-level panel discussion with the participation of members of the Working Group and several heads of national statistical offices. The discussion explored key challenges and opportunities related to data governance and reviewed the latest international practices in developing effective regulatory frameworks that enhance integration between data producers and users. In addition, the GASTAT delegation held a series of bilateral meetings with several international organizations and national statistical offices to discuss ways to enhance cooperation and exchange technical expertise.
The United Nations Statistical Commission is the highest decision-making body for international statistical standards and for monitoring progress on the SDGs. Its mandate underscores the importance of strengthening international cooperation to develop more integrated and resilient statistical systems, particularly considering the accelerating digital transformations shaping the global data landscape.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) and Fikr Strategies for Industry Platform Company signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoC). GASTAT was represented by Vice President, Mr. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Rshaid, while the company was represented by its Founder, Eng. Jassim bin Mohammed AlShammary.
The agreement aims to enhance coordination in statistical data exchange, contributing to the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 by leveraging official statistics to serve the industrial sector. It also focuses on developing specialized national performance indicators to measure the growth and competitiveness of industrial sectors, launching national initiatives and training programs for capacity building in industrial data analysis, and providing technical support in data and information management. Additionally, the cooperation includes developing statistical indicators, issuing reports and publications, and conducting specialized statistical workshops.
Furthermore, the agreement represents a strategic step to enhance GASTAT’s role in supporting civil society institutions with accurate statistical information, enabling them to make decisions based on reliable data. It also underscores the importance of exchanging technical and knowledge-based expertise between the two parties in areas of shared interest. Additionally, the platform is committed to improving its services by relying on accurate data and objective analyses to support the continuous planning and evaluation of programs and services
 

Non-oil exports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (including re-exports) increased by 7.4% in December 2025 compared to the same month in 2024. Meanwhile, national non-oil exports declined by 8.5%, whereas the value of re-exported goods rose by 43.1%.
The international trade in goods results showed a 3.0% increase in total goods exports compared to December 2024. Petroleum exports rose by 1.0%, while the share of petroleum exports in total exports decreased from 68.7% in December 2024 to 67.4% in December 2025. On the imports side, they increased by 2.4% over the same period, while the trade balance surplus grew by 7.1% compared to December of the previous year.
In Q4 of 2025, non-oil exports (including re-exports) rose by 18.6% compared to Q4 of 2024, while national non-oil exports decreased by 1.5%, and re-exported goods increased by 67.4%. Total goods exports grew by 7.9%, and petroleum exports rose by 3.5%, while the share of petroleum exports in total exports declined from 70.4% to 67.5%. Imports in Q4 of 2025 increased by 4.7% compared to the same period of the previous year, and the trade balance surplus recorded a growth of 26.3%.
Regarding trade partners, Japan ranked first among goods export destinations in December, accounting for 11.7% of total exports, while China led import partners with a 28.7% share. On Q4 level, China was the top partner for exports, representing 13.1%, and maintained its leading position for imports at 27.2%.
International Trade in Goods Statistics is based on administrative records provided by the relevant authorities, including the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority for non-oil data and the Ministry of Energy for oil-related data. These records undergo statistical processing and review according to the methodologies approved by the relevant authorities, ensuring the quality and accuracy of the data before publication.
 

GASTAT has announced that registration is now open on its website for the Data Innovation Hackathon, held in partnership with the Sixth United Nations World Data Forum and in cooperation with multiple partners.
The hackathon seeks to foster the development of innovative solutions that tackle current challenges in the statistical data ecosystem, focusing on two primary tracks: innovative data collection leveraging non-traditional sources, and smart processing and classification powered by artificial intelligence technologies contributing to improved quality and greater reliability of official statistics.
Participation is open to citizens and residents within Saudi Arabia, including students, academics, freelancers, and employees, through a dedicated online form for submitting executive summaries of their ideas. Submissions will go through an initial screening to determine the teams eligible for the final stage. Selected teams will be allotted a specific timeframe to develop prototypes of their proposed solutions before presenting them to a panel of judges consisting of experts in technology, statistics, and innovation.

GASTAT emphasizes that the launch of the hackathon is part of its efforts to promote innovation in statistical work and to support the development of a national data ecosystem capable of keeping pace with technological advancements, in line with Saudi Arabia’s vision to strengthen its position as a global hub for data and artificial intelligence.

GASTAT has launched the Data Innovation Hackathon, marking a first-of-its-kind initiative to leverage innovation in official statistical data. This initiative forms part of the “Road to Riyadh” series of events, held in preparation for Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the Sixth United Nations World Data Forum (UNWDF) in November 2026.
The hackathon aims to advance innovation in statistical work and enhance the readiness of the statistical sector to keep pace with rapid technological developments. Through this initiative, GASTAT seeks to empower citizens and residents across Saudi Arabia including students, academics, freelancers, and employees to contribute to the development of innovative solutions that address key challenges.
The hackathon follows an open participation model and will be delivered entirely through a virtual platform, allowing for wide international engagement and promoting the exchange of expertise among professionals.
It offers total cash prizes of SAR 75,000, along with professional incentives, and provides mentorship and training opportunities for the winning teams.
The hackathon focuses on two primary tracks: innovative data collection leveraging non-traditional sources, and smart processing and classification powered by artificial intelligence technologies contributing to improved quality and greater reliability of official statistics.
This initiative is part of GASTAT’s efforts to expand the adoption of advanced technologies in data collection and processing, while reinforcing

 the role of artificial intelligence in elevating the quality of official statistics, in line with Saudi Arabia’s vision of building a data-driven knowledge 

economy. The hackathon is being prepared in collaboration with local partners to ensure alignment of efforts and to provide an enabling environment for innovators from diverse fields.
GASTAT confirms that full details of the initiative, including participation criteria and procedures, will be announced soon via its official social media platforms and website.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) reported that the value of Saudi Arabia’s services exports reached SAR 58.2 billion in Q3of 2025, while the value of services imports into Saudi Arabia amounted to SAR 120.8 billion during the same period.
According to the publication’s results, travel services ranked first among the Saudi Arabia’s  services exports, with a value of SAR 33.8 billion, followed by transport services in second place at SAR 9.7 billion. On the imports side, transport services ranked first with a value of SAR 32.3 billion, while travel services came second at SAR 30.8 billion.
GASTAT emphasized that it adopts a statistical methodology based on international best practices, in accordance with the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM6) and the Extended Balance of Payments Services Classification (EBOPS 2010). Data quality is ensured through the treatment of missing values and the review of internal and temporal consistency, in line with internationally recognized standards and practices.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released today the results of Tourism Establishments Statistics for Q3 of 2025. The findings indicate that the hotel room occupancy rate reached 49.1% during Q3 2025, representing an increase of 2.9 percentage points compared to the same quarter of 2024, when the occupancy rate was 46.1%. In contrast, the occupancy rate for serviced apartments and other hospitality facilities stood at 57.4% in Q3 2025, compared to 58.0% in the corresponding quarter of 2024, reflecting a decline of 0.5 percentage points.
Results indicated that the total number of licensed tourism hospitality facilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia amounted to 5,622 facilities during Q3 2025, an increase of 40.6% compared to the same quarter of 2024, when the number reached 3,998 facilities. Serviced apartments and other hospitality facilities constituted 52.6% of the total, with 2,955 facilities, while hotels accounted for 47.4%, totaling 2,667 hotels.
The average length of stay for hotel guests during Q3 2025 was approximately 4.1 nights, recording a decrease of 1% compared to the same quarter of 2024, when the average stay was 4.2 nights. Meanwhile, the average length of stay for guests in serviced apartments and other hospitality facilities reached about 2.1 nights during the same period, declining slightly by 0.2% compared to Q3 2024, according to the publication.
The publication also revealed that the total number of employees engaged in tourism activities during Q3 2025 reached around 1,009,691, marking a growth of 6.4% compared to the same quarter of 2024, when employment totaled 948,629 employees. Saudi employees accounted for 245,171 employees, representing 24.3% of the total, while non-Saudi workers numbered 764,520, or 75.7%. In terms of gender distribution, male employees totaled 875,658, accounting for 86.7% of the total, whereas female employees numbered 134,033, representing a participation rate of 13.3%.
It is worth noting that the Tourism Establishments Statistics for Q3 2025 are compiled from multiple sources to ensure comprehensive coverage of tourism activities in the Kingdom. These sources include administrative records, statistical surveys, and secondary data.