GASTAT: IPI increases by 6.5% in July 2025

أصدرت الهيئة العامة للإحصاء اليوم نشرة إحصاءات سوق العمل للربع الثاني من عام 2025م، ووفقًا لنتائجها فقد بلغ معدل المشاركة في القوى العاملة الإجمالي (للسعوديين وغير السعوديين) 67.1%، في حين بلغ معدل البطالة الإجمالي (للسعوديين وغير السعوديين) 3.2%، وسجَّل معدل مشاركة السعوديين في القوى العاملة 49.2%، كما بلغ معدل البطالة لدى السعوديين 6.8%.
وأظهرت نتائج النشرة أن معدل مشاركة الذكور السعوديين في القوى العاملة بلغ %64.0، في حين بلغ معدل البطالة للسعوديين الذكور 4.3%، كما أشارت النتائج إلى أن معدل مشاركة السعوديات في القوى العاملة بلغ %34.5، فيما بلغ معدل البطالة للسعوديات 11.3%.
وأظهرت النتائج المتعلقة بالسعوديات في سن الشباب (15-24 سنة) أن معدل المشتغلات إلى السكان بلغ 13.8%، وسجَّل معدل مشاركتهن في القوى العاملة 17.4%، في حين بلغ معدل المشتغلين إلى السكان من الشباب السعوديين الذكور 28.0%، وسجَّل معدل مشاركتهم في القوى العاملة 31.6%. 
وعلى صعيد مؤشرات سوق العمل في الربع الثاني من عام 2025م المتعلقة بالسكان السعوديين (الذكور والإناث) في سن العمل الأساسي (من 25إلى 54 عامًا) فقد سجَّل معدل المشتغلين إلى السكان 63.3%، كما سجَّل معدل المشاركة في القوى العاملة 67.3%، وأفادت النتائج أن معدل البطالة بلغ 5.9%. 
وفيما يتعلق بأساليب البحث عن عمل فمن الجدير بالذكر أن نشرة إحصاءات سوق العمل للربع الثاني من عام 2025م قد أفادت أن أسلوب التقدم إلى أصحاب العمل مباشرةً كان أكثر أساليب البحث عن عمل استخدامًا وذلك بنسبة 72.4%، يليه استخدام المنصة الوطنية الموحَّدة للتوظيف (جدَارات) بنسبة 56.3%، في حين شكَّل أسلوب سؤال الأصدقاء أو الأقارب عن فرص العمل 50.5%..
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) today released the International Trade publication for July 2025, which showed a 30.4% increase in non-oil exports (including re-exports) compared to the same month in 2024.
The publication results showed that the non-oil merchandise exports to imports ratio rose to 44.6% in July 2025, compared to 33.4% in July 2024. The “Machinery, electrical equipment and parts” group accounted for 29.7% of total non-oil exports, followed by chemical industry products at 19.6%. On the imports side, the “Machinery, electrical equipment and parts” group accounted for 11.7% of total imports, marking an increase of 29.9% compared to July 2024. Followed by the “Transport equipment and parts” group, which represented 13.2% of imports, recording a decrease of 9.6% over the same period.
The results indicated that oil exports decreased by 0.7% during the same period, causing their share of total merchandise exports to decline from 72.8% in July 2024 to 67.1% in July 2025. In terms of the trade balance, the surplus increased by 53.4% compared to July 2024, driven by a 2.5% decrease in imports. 
The publication showed that China was the Kingdom’s largest trading partner, accounting for 14.0% of total exports and 25.8% of total imports. Followed by the United Arab Emirates, with 10.6% of exports and 6.4% of imports, then India with 9.4% of exports. The Kingdom’s total exports to the top 10 countries amounted to 65.7% of the total, while imports from the top 10 countries accounted for 64.3%. The results also indicated that King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam was the Kingdom’s main entry point for imports, handling 26.1% of the total, followed by Jeddah Islamic Port with 20.9%.
It is noteworthy that the International Trade Statistics are based on administrative records from the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority and the Ministry of Energy (for oil exports). The Kingdom’s exports and imports are classified according to the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS), as adopted by the World Customs Organization.
 

His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Hussam bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Al-Baha Region, received today at his office the President of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), Fahad Aldossari, and his accompanying delegation.
During the meeting, HRH reviewed a summary of GASTAT’s key achievements, statistical projects, and initiatives across the Kingdom, highlighting their role in supporting developmental and economic planning.
The discussion included a briefing on statistical indicators for Al-Baha Region, along with an overview of GASTAT’s efforts in providing accurate data to governmental entities in order to enhance planning efficiency, optimize expenditure, and support the achievement of Vision 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals.
In conclusion, the meeting reflects ongoing cooperation to leverage statistical outputs in supporting national initiatives and achieving added value in regional development.
 

The President of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) met today with the Governor of Al-Baha Region at the Secretariat headquarters to discuss opportunities of cooperation between the two parties in statistical data and information exchange aimed at supporting regional urban planning and development.
During the meeting, both parties discussed the importance of integration in their respective areas of expertise and the utilization of accurate statistical indicators to enhance the efficiency of projects and services in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals.
It is noteworthy that this meeting reflects GASTAT’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its strategic partnerships with governmental and institutional entities across all sectors, leveraging its statistical products to support national initiatives and targets, and to advance development across various regions of the Kingdom.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released the results of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and National Accounts Publication for Q2 2025. According to the results, real GDP recorded a growth of 3.9% compared to the same quarter in 2024. 
The results showed that all major economic activities recorded annual growth. Non-oil activities grew by 4.6%, followed by oil activities at 3.8%, while government activities grew by 0.6%. Non-oil activities were the main contributor to growth, adding 2.6 percentage points, while oil activities and net taxes on products contributed positively by 0.9 and 0.3 percentage points, respectively. Furthermore, compared to Q1 2025, the seasonally adjusted real GDP increased by 1.7%, with oil activities being the largest contributor to growth at 1.3 percentage points, followed by non-oil activities with 0.4 percentage points.
Additionally, at the level of economic activities, electricity, gas, and water activities achieved the highest annual growth rate of 10.3%, followed by financial, insurance, and business services at 7.0%, and wholesale & retail trade, restaurants, and hotels at 6.6%.

The Construction Cost Index (CCI) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recorded an increase of 0.7% in August 2025 compared to the same month last year. This rise attributed to a 0.8% increase in the residential sector costs and a 0.6% increase in the non-residential sector costs, according to the CCI publication for August 2025 issued by GASTAT. 
On a monthly basis, construction costs in the residential sector recorded a slight increase of 0.1% in August 2025 compared to the previous month of the same year, while costs in the non-residential sector remained the same from the previous month.
It is noteworthy that CCI reflects price movements of construction inputs across 51 items of goods and services, with prices collected monthly from various regions of the Kingdom. The year 2023 has been set as the base year.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) and the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) aimed at strengthening integration and coordination between the two sides through establishing a comprehensive framework for joint activities and tasks. This contributes to developing human capacities and enhances innovation in data exchange and governance mechanisms.
The MoC emphasizes the exchange of technical expertise, knowledge, information, and statistics, along with joint efforts in conducting studies and research to strengthen transparency and ensure the reliability of statistical indicators. It also seeks to empower decision-makers in developing plans and shaping policies aligned with national development goals. Furthermore, the MoC covers the organization of conferences, seminars, workshops, and training programs, while fostering innovation and joint initiatives through the adoption of modern statistical tools and technologies.
It is noteworthy that GASTAT  is the Kingdom’s official body for statistics and the sole authorized reference for carrying out, technically supervising, and regulating statistical activities. Its responsibilities cover various aspects, most prominently the collection of statistical data and information from public and private entities as well as individuals, followed by their analysis and study to produce various statistical indicators. GASTAT also provides statistical consultations and reports for surveys and research, in addition to other data and statistical services that fall within its mandate.

The President of Al-Baha University, His Excellency Prof. Abdullah Alhussein, met with the President of the General Authority for Statistics, Fahad Aldossari. During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways of cooperation within their respective areas of specialization.
The parties explored opportunities to strengthen their partnership by supporting academic and research programs, enhancing the statistical competencies of the university’s students, and providing access to statistical data and indicators to improve the quality of educational and research outputs.
H.E.  President of Al-Baha University affirmed that the university is open to cooperation with the General Authority for Statistics through its research centers and academic staff across various disciplines, in order to conduct studies that support GASTAT’s work.
For his part, GASTAT President appreciated the role played by Al-Baha University in building research and scientific capacity, stressing that GASTAT is keen to expand its partnerships with educational institutions to improve the efficiency of development plans and support decision-making through the exchange of statistical data, while keeping pace with international developments and best practices in educational statistics.
 

The President of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), Fahad Aldossari, met with the Chairman of Al-Baha Chamber of Commerce, Mashi Alomari, in the presence of representatives from both sides, as part of GASTAT’s delegation visit to the region.
During the meeting, the two parties reviewed opportunities for cooperation and ways to enhance the utilization of statistical data and indicators to support investors and entrepreneurs in the region, thereby contributing to better decision-making and improving the efficiency of developmental and economic planning.
It is noteworthy that this meeting comes as part of GASTAT’s efforts to strengthen its strategic partnerships with various entities and institutions across all sectors, to expand the scope of cooperation and leverage its statistical products in supporting national initiatives and targets, thus creating added value that contributes to driving the Kingdom’s development forward.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) announced the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for August 2025, recording an increase of 2.3% compared to the same month of the previous year, based on the updated CPI methodology. This methodology enhances the availability of more comprehensive, timely, and accurate data on inflation trends. It also provides flexibility in capturing changes in spending patterns and measuring the impact of price movements for goods and services in retail markets on household consumption expenditure. This step comes as part of GASTAT’s continuous efforts to develop and improve statistical products and indicators, in line with international standards, and to provide high-quality, comprehensive, and reliable data that support policymakers in shaping economic and social decisions aligned with Saudi Arabia’s sustainable development plans and Vision 2030 goals. 
In this regard, GASTAT explained that the updated CPI methodology aims to improve the accuracy of measuring actual inflation in Saudi economy, consistent with best global practices and relevant international guidelines. Key updates include enhancements in price data collection methods, consumer basket weights, and variation of data sources. The new weights are derived from the 2023 Household Income and Expenditure Survey, in addition to household final consumption expenditure in the national accounts, data from Ejar platform, and other administrative records from various entities. Furthermore, the reference year of the index has been updated from 2018 to 2023, ensuring that the CPI better reflects actual spending patterns.

In the same context, GASTAT expanded the geographical coverage of points of sale to ensure comprehensive population coverage and a diversity of consumer categories. Using geospatial mapping techniques, the sampling frame was updated through reviewing coverage levels, increasing the number of outlets, and redistributing them to reflect population density and concentration across cities in the Kingdom. GASTAT also adopted the annual chain-linking methodology, a statistical approach that updates the CPI basket weights annually based on household final consumption expenditure data derived from national accounts, rather than relying on a fixed base year with unchanged weights for several years. This approach provides a consistent time series that better reflects economic realities and offers greater flexibility in capturing rapid market shifts and economic transformations.

GASTAT indicated that the expansion included increasing the number of retail outlets covered, from 32 thousand under the previous methodology to 82 thousand in the updated framework, and raising the sample of points of sale from 8,700 to 14 thousand. The number of items in the consumer basket was also expanded to 582, compared to 490 previously, in line with updated consumer behavior and preferences. Furthermore, the geographical scope of coverage was broadened by increasing the number of cities from 16 to 23 cities, enabling the publication of index results at the level of all administrative regions in the Kingdom. The updated methodology also incorporated the latest United Nations Classification of Individual Consumption by Purpose (COICOP 2018), with new levels added for index calculation and result generation, while maintaining linkage with the previous edition (COICOP 1999).

In conclusion, it is worth noting that the CPI methodology update forms part of GASTAT’s ongoing efforts to provide comprehensive, reliable, and accurate statistical indicators that reflect consumption patterns and price movements in Saudi economy. These improvements strengthen support for policymakers, analysts, and specialists in monitoring price developments and in advancing effective economic and social planning.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released the results of the Industrial Production Index (IPI) for July 2025, showing a 6.5% increase compared to the same month of the previous year (July 2024). The results revealed that mining and quarrying activity increased by 6.5% year-on-year, while manufacturing activity increased by 7%. 
According to the publication, electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply activity recorded an annual increase of 0.9%, whereas water supply, sewerage and waste management and remediation activities surged by 8.5%, compared to July 2024. Furthermore, according to the main economic activities of IPI, oil activities increased by 7.8%, while non-oil activities recorded a 3.5% rise.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) today released its International Trade Statistics publications for June 2025 and for Q2 2025.
The results of the June publication revealed continued growth in non-oil exports (including re-exports), which recorded an increase of 22.1% compared to June 2024. National non-oil exports (excluding re-exports) rose by 8.4%, while the value of re-exported goods increased by 60.2%. Merchandise exports grew by 3.7% despite a 2.5% decrease in oil exports, which reduced the share of oil exports in total exports to 70.2% compared to 74.7% in June 2024.
Merchandise imports increased by 1.7%, which contributed to the improvement of the ratio of non-oil exports to imports, reaching 39.2% compared to 32.7% in June 2024. Meanwhile, the surplus in the merchandise trade balance increased by 10.6% compared to the same month of the previous year.
Chemical products topped the list of non-oil exports, accounting for 24.5% of the total, followed by machinery, electrical equipment, and parts with 23.3%. On the other hand, machinery, electrical equipment, and parts ranked first among imports with 30.6%.
The publication showed that the People’s Republic of China was the Kingdom’s main trading partner, accounting for 15.5% of total exports and 27.9% of total imports in June 2025.
In addition, the results of the Q2 2025 publication showed that non-oil exports (including re-exports) continued to grow by 17.8% compared to Q2 2024, while national non-oil exports increased by 5.6%, and the value of re-exported goods rose by 46.2%.
Meanwhile, merchandise exports decreased by 7.3% compared to Q2 2024, due to a 15.8% decline in oil exports. Accordingly, the share of oil exports in total exports decreased from 74.7% in Q2 2024 to 67.9% in Q2 2025.
Merchandise imports increased by 13.1% in Q2 2025 compared to the same period of the previous year, while the merchandise trade balance surplus decreased by 56.2%. The ratio of non-oil exports to imports rose to 37.3% compared to 35.8% in Q2 2024.
Chemical products were the top non-oil export items, accounting for 23.0% of the total, followed by machinery, electrical equipment, and parts with 21.7%. Machinery, electrical equipment, and parts were also the most imported goods, accounting for 28.9% of total imports.
The publication indicated that the People’s Republic of China was the Kingdom’s main trading partner in Q2 2025, accounting for 14.2% of total exports and 27.4% of total imports during this period.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Centre for Statistics and Information in the Sultanate of Oman with the aim of strengthening bilateral cooperation and developing statistical work between the two parties. The memorandum was signed by GASTAT President, Fahad Aldossari, and the the National Centre for Statistics and Information CEO, Khalifa Al-Barwani, in the presence of the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Sultanate of Oman, Ibrahim bin Beshan.
GASTAT President affirmed that this memorandum is an extension of the Kingdom’s efforts to consolidate regional and international statistical partnerships and support the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 by enhancing Gulf integration in the statistical field. He noted that it reflects the strength of the close relations between the two brotherly countries and their shared commitment to developing statistical work in a way that serves decision-makers and supports sustainable development plans.
For his part, the CEO of the National Centre for Statistics and Information in the Sultanate of Oman, Khalifa Al-Barwani, stated that this memorandum represents an important step toward building an integrated Gulf statistical system that contributes to producing accurate and reliable data to support decision-makers. He pointed out that cooperation with GASTAT will open wider horizons for exchanging expertise and developing national capabilities in support of common interests.
It is worth noting that the signing of the memorandum marked the highlight of GASTAT’s delegation visit to the National Centre for Statistics and Information in the Sultanate of Oman, which featured discussion sessions on key statistical developments and projects at local and international levels, aimed at enhancing integration and fostering the exchange of expertise between the two sides.
 

GASTAT’s President Fahad Aldossari met with His Highness Prince Faisal bin Abdul Rahman bin Farhan Al Saud , the CEO of Liajlehum Association to Serve People with Disabilities, at the Association's headquarters.
The meeting was held as part of efforts to support the Association's work and enhance cooperation across all areas within GASTAT's field. This includes supporting and developing initiatives launched by the Association that contribute to the support and empowerment of persons with disabilities, aligning with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
For his part, GASTAT’s President Fahad Aldossari affirmed that this meeting is part of GASTAT's efforts to enhance integration with the non-profit sector and to leverage its official statistical data to support planning and decision-making.
In the same context, His Highness Prince Faisal bin Abdul Rahman bin Farhan Al Saud the CEO of Liajlehum Association to Serve People with Disabilities stated that this type of meeting helps increase the efficiency of the programs offered. It also assists in building a knowledge base that enhances the social impact of the Association's activities and those of other non-profit associations with a social role. This contributes to supporting the target groups, including people with disabilities and their families, as well as other groups served by specialized non-profit associations and institutions.
It is worth noting that Liajlehum Association is considered one of the most prominent non-profit organizations dedicated to serving and empowering people with disabilities in the Kingdom. Through its programs and initiatives, it aims to create a supportive environment that helps improve the quality of life for this group and ensures equal opportunities for them.
 

GASTAT President, Fahad Aldossari, participated in the 12th meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Permanent Committee for Statistical Work, hosted by the Sultanate of Oman on September,4-5, 2025. The meeting which brought together the heads of National Statistical Offices (NSO) of the GCC member states, discussed key joint statistical developments, ways of enhancing the cooperation and integration in statistical fields, in support of decision makers and in meeting the requirements of comprehensive development in the GCC countries. The meeting also reviewed the progress of implementing joint GCC statistical initiatives and projects. 
In his speech, GASTAT President emphasized the importance of unifying the GCC statistical efforts and developing mechanisms for joint action to keep pace with global developments in the statistical field. He noted that strengthening GCC statistical integration represents a fundamental pillar in supporting socio-economic growth, and enhances the region’s status in international reports and indicators. Furthermore, He expressed the Kingdome’s appreciation for the GCC-STAT role in coordinating joint efforts, confirming GASTAT’s commitment to continuing cooperation and working with its GCC counterparts to achieve statistical integration in line with the development visions of GCC countries.
The meeting concluded with the issuance of several recommendations, aimed at enhancing the exchange of expertise and experiences, as well as developing the Gulf statistical infrastructure, and expanding joint programs to build national capacities in this field.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released the results of Health and Safety at Workplace Statistics publication 2024. According to the publication, the rate of work injuries among workers aged 15 and above reached 245.7 non-fatal injuries and 1.1 fatal injuries per 100 thousand workers, excluding road traffic injuries. Additionally, according to survey respondents, the results indicated that 39% of workers received training in health and safety measures, and 40.4% have access to a dedicated occupational health and safety department at their workplace, while 32.2% of workers received periodic medical examinations provided at their workplace.
Regarding risks at workplace, the results highlighted that 5.4% of workers were required to work on hazardous machines, 2.1% were required to deal with chemicals, and 1% are exposed to heavy metals. Meanwhile, in the healthcare sector, 95% of workers reported that they have coverage to access essential healthcare services. 
The results also showed that over the past 12 months, the most common work-related health problems were "work-related stress" at 2.1%, followed by "eye and vision problems" at 2%, while 79.5% of workers reported that they had not experienced any work-related health problems during the same period.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that the estimates of Health and Safety at Workplace Statistics are based on self-reported data from participants through field visits conducted in the 2024 National Health Survey (NHS), except for the work-related injury rate, which was calculated from the register-based data from the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, and the 2024 population estimates from the General Authority for Statistics. 
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) announced today, in its quarterly publication, that the total number of Umrah performers reached 15,222,497 in Q1 of 2025. Saudi Umrah performers accounted for 24%, while males represented 60.5% compared to 39.5% for females.
The number of external Umrah performers reached 6,523,630, recording an increase of 10.7% compared to Q1 of 2024. The majority of them arrived through airports by 82.2%. Meanwhile, the number of internal Umrah performers totaled 8,698,867, of which non-Saudis represented 58%. January 2025 recorded the highest percentage of external Umrah performers with 36.5%. In contrast, March recorded the lowest number in terms of external Umrah performers. On the other hand, March recorded the highest number of internal Umrah performers at 80.9%, whereas January recorded the lowest number. The total number of visitors to Madinah reached 6,452,696 during Q1 of 2025, where external visitors represented 4,412,689, according to the publication.  
It is noteworthy that Umrah and Madinah visitation statistics are published on a quarterly basis starting from 2024, presenting the numbers and percentages of external and internal Umrah performers and visitors to Madinah. The results are based on field surveys and administrative records from the Pilgrim Experience Program and the Ministry of Tourism, in addition to approved statistical models.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) has released today a special report on Saudi women through its official website, www.stats.gov.sa. The report is distinguished by the breadth and diversity of its statistical indicators concerning Saudi women aged 15 years and above, encompassing various domains such as education, health, employment, culture, and entertainment, in addition to several other key statistical insights.
The report is based on a comprehensive set of indicators specific to Saudi women within the 15+ age group, derived from the results of multiple surveys conducted by GASTAT. It also incorporates administrative data and population estimates to deliver a wide-ranging statistical overview of women across social, economic, educational, health, cultural, and recreational sectors.
According to the findings of the Saudi Women Report 2024, issued by GASTAT, the total number of Saudi females reached 9,807,663. Women aged 15 to 34 accounted for 35.7% of the total female population, while those aged 20 to 24 represented 17.6%. These figures underscore the significant share of younger age groups among Saudi women compared to other age segments. 
The report also highlighted the efforts undertaken to empower Saudi women in the labor market, which resulted in a significant decline in female unemployment rates. In 2024, the unemployment rate among Saudi women dropped notably to 13%, compared to 19% in 2022. The quarterly unemployment rate for Q4 2024 was recorded at 11.9%, down from 13.9% in the corresponding quarter of 2023. This decline coincided with the broadening of women’s economic participation and the increase in their employment across various sectors.
The report also underscored the growing achievements of Saudi women in the fields of education, innovation, and sports. Among Saudi females aged 25 years and above, 35.3% held a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. In 2024, a total of 22 Saudi women were granted patents, while Saudi women garnered 1,956 local and international awards in the sports sector during the year.
The report further revealed that 44.6% of Saudi women aged 18 years and above engaged in physical activity for at least 150 minutes per week. It also highlighted a broad level of participation in cultural and recreational activities, with visits to parks and gardens recording the highest rate at 62.7%.
The Saudi Women Report is one of the key statistical products issued by GASTAT, showcasing the most significant indicators related to Saudi women. It highlights their advancement and empowerment in the labor market, as well as their progress across social, educational, health, cultural, and recreational domains. These indicators are measured and published on an annual basis.
It is worth noting that GASTAT is the only official statistical reference for statistical data and information in Saudi Arabia. It carries out all statistical work in addition to providing technical oversight of the statistical sector. It also designs and implements field surveys, conducts statistical studies and research, analyzes data and information, and documents and archives all statistical information and data covering all aspects of life in Saudi Arabia from their multiple sources. Data are compiled, classified, analyzed, and their indicators extracted.
 

The Construction Cost Index (CCI) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recorded an increase of 0.7% in July 2025 compared to the same month last year. This rise is attributed to a 0.7% increase in residential sector costs and a 0.6% increase in non-residential sector costs, according to the CCI publication for July 2025 issued by GASTAT.
On a monthly basis, construction costs in the residential sector increased by 0.4% in July 2025 compared to the previous month of the same year, while costs in the non-residential sector rose by 0.5%.
It is noteworthy that CCI reflects price movements of construction inputs across 51 items of goods and services, with prices collected monthly from various regions of the Kingdom. The year 2023 has been set as the base year for this index.
 

The United Nations (UN) announced the election of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), as co-chair of Working Group on Data Governance (WGDG) of the UN Statistical Commission led by GASTAT’s President, Fahad Aldossari. This step signifies the expanding international recognition of the Kingdom's preeminent role in advancing digital transformation and the development of official data and statistical governance policies. This announcement comes as part of the Kingdom's commitment to supporting global efforts and working with international partners to build a secure and reliable digital future. The aim is to boost confidence in the international community and provide accurate statistics that support development policies and decision-making, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
This group serves as an international platform and a central tool for global coordination on data governance. It helps to establish common terminology, facilitate the exchange of national best practices and expertise at regional and international levels, and create a guiding framework for organizing and using data sources. These efforts enhance transparency, serve sustainable development goals, develop foundational principles and leverage existing initiatives to define global and regional data governance principles and their applicability to official data and statistics.
The Kingdom's membership will contribute to fostering a secure and reliable global statistical data environment, driving innovation, and enabling communities to maximize its value to support economic and social development. It will also help in drafting international data governance standards and policies, in addition to benefiting from the exchange of the latest international practices and developing initiatives that enhance innovation and cooperation among member states.
It is worth noting that WGDG was established this year and held its first meeting with GASTAT’s President, Fahad Aldossari participating as co-chair. The meeting focused on discussing the timeline for the group's work, its roles, and its key tasks.