Structural Business Statistics Survey

It is an economic survey that targets all economic activities within business sector establishments—of all sizes—in Saudi Arabia on an annual basis. It is considered one of the most important economic statistics conducted by GASTAT, as it measures the structure of the business sector in Saudi Arabia by providing detailed economic statistical indicators on the activities within this sector.

To provide comprehensive and accurate statistical indicators for measuring the structure of the business sector, covering employees and their compensation, expenditures and revenues, as well as gross fixed capital formation across all economic activities, to assess the contribution of the business sector to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with a particular focus on the contribution of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to GDP.

•    Monitoring structural changes in business sector establishments. 
•    Providing data on economic activities to develop indicators that support measuring growth rates for each economic activity. 
•    Identifying the contribution of each economic activity to the economic development process. 
•    Determining the relative importance of economic activities.
•    Updating economic data series for each economic activity. 
•    Updating and enhancing data on business sector establishments, as well as the statistical business register. 
•    Providing the necessary data to develop indicators by geographic dimension. 
•    Contributing to the provision of detailed indicators to support decision-makers and policymakers.

It refers to the data collection period for the Structural Business Statistics Survey, which runs from 05 April 2026 to 23 May 2026.

The establishment plays a key and essential role by providing the data required for the survey, in order to produce statistics and indicators that support measuring the contribution of the business sector to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), as well as providing indicators related to economic activities, thereby contributing to the provision of detailed indicators to support decision-makers and policymakers.

The time required to complete the questionnaire varies from one establishment to another, depending on the size of the establishment, its financial statements, and its level of readiness. GASTAT has structured the survey questionnaire and tailored its questions according to establishment size (micro, small, medium, and large) to facilitate completion. In addition, multiple modes are available for completing the questionnaire, including self-completion through electronic links, the statistical contact center, and assistance through field researchers and the Large Accounts at GASTAT.

The primary person responsible is the individual in charge of the establishment’s financial statements and data, or their authorized representative. GASTAT affirms its commitment to maintaining the confidentiality and privacy of establishments’ data and to non-disclosure policies in accordance with the applicable official procedures.

The survey questionnaire consists of fourteen sections:
A. Establishment data:
1-    Screening questions. 
2-    Totals for the overall aggregate for 2025. 
3-    Average number of employees in 2025. 
4-    Compensation of employees is payable in 2025. 
5-    Operating expenditure for 2025. 
6-    Operating revenues and services provided in 2025. 
7-    E-commerce sales. 
8-    Transfer expenditures. 
9-    Transfer revenues. 
10-    Non-financial assets in 2025. 
11-    Financial assets and liabilities. 
12-    Imports and exports. 
13-    Research and development. 
14-    Projects implemented by the establishment during 2025.

Yes, the survey questionnaire can be completed through highly secure electronic links to ensure the confidentiality of the data. The questionnaire is sent only to the establishment and to the authorized respondent responsible for completing it. It can also be completed through other data collection modes, such as contact via the statistical contact center, field researchers, and large accounts specialists at GASTAT.

GASTAT provides the establishment with clarifications attached to the questionnaire, including definitions of terms and concepts, which the respondent can refer to. The respondent may also contact GASTAT through the survey’s email or via its representatives at the statistical contact center and field operations, where assistance is provided, and any related inquiries are addressed.

In accordance with applicable regulations, GASTAT is fully committed to maintaining the confidentiality of data. Individual data cannot be shared under any circumstances. The information is kept confidential within GASTAT and is used solely for statistical purposes. No individual data relating to any establishment may be published; only aggregated statistical tables at the level of Saudi Arabia and administrative regions, by economic activity, are disseminated.

•    Single establishment: An establishment that has no branches. 
•    Head office: An establishment that has at least one branch. 
•    Branch with independent accounts: A branch that maintains accounts independent from the head office. 
•    Branch without independent accounts: A branch that does not maintain accounts independent from the head office.

Yes, definitions for all terms have been prepared and incorporated into the questionnaire through introductory markers. The respondent can use these definitions to help them fill out the questionnaire quickly and easily.

The activity that generates the highest revenue for the establishment is selected.

In this case, the main activity is chosen based on the one that made the most money in the reference fiscal year and the year before that.

If financial data are available, the questionnaire should be completed for the year 2025.

The questionnaire must be filled out for all 2025 establishments, even if they only operated briefly.

If the establishment is in the establishment phase, the status “under establishment” is selected. If the establishment is active, all sections of the questionnaire must be completed.

يتم تسجيله في المباني غير السكنية.

 The average number of employees includes all individuals (Saudis and non-Saudis), males and females, who work in the establishment, whether they are owners, partners, or employees. It includes those who work with or without pay, on a full-time or part-time basis, whether permanent or temporary, and those who are paid on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. It also includes partners and shareholders in joint-stock companies, as well as chairpersons and members of boards of directors who work in the establishment. In addition, it includes employees who are on paid leave. The average number of employees is calculated as the total number of employees at the end of each month of the year divided by the number of months in the year.

The value is calculated by dividing it by 1,000. For example, if an establishment’s revenue amounts to five million Saudi Riyals (5,000,000), it is divided by 1,000 and recorded in the questionnaire as 5,000.

This question applies to head offices that have branches without independent accounts outside the administrative region of the head office. The percentage of employees is reported for each administrative region out of the total number of employees.

Net book value at the end of the year = net book value at the beginning of the year − annual depreciation + purchases − disposals (±) changes in asset value due to revaluation (±) other changes.

Operating revenues include all cash revenues generated from the establishment’s main activity or other secondary activities, such as the sale and marketing of its products, the provision of services to customers, or trading in goods in general. They also include sales of goods purchased for resale in the same condition (the purchases of such goods are recorded in Section Six), as well as daily operating receipts. These revenues include the total value of sales from manufactured products, as well as other operating revenues that are not directly related to the establishment’s main economic activity but are associated with its secondary activities. This includes revenues from industrial services, secondary activities, production waste sales, rental income from buildings and non-agricultural land, leasing of machinery and equipment, and any other operating revenues, all of which should be specified by type.
Transfer revenues, on the other hand, include all revenues received or receivable from investment returns, profits from projects, and similar sources, such as dividends, partnership income, interest received, gains from the sale of capital assets, etc. These are not generated by the establishment’s main or secondary economic activities. They also include government subsidies, donations received from others, insurance compensation, etc., in addition to other transfer revenues, and require specification of their types.
 

Operating expenditures include all spending incurred by the establishment on goods and services, raw materials, used supplies, subcontractors, expenditure on research and development, and expenditure on the rental of buildings and non-agricultural land.
Transfer expenditures, on the other hand, include all amounts paid or payable by the establishment during the year that are not part of goods or services inputs but are related to the establishment’s current activity, such as compensation, fines, distributed profits, insurance premiums, zakat, donations, customs duties, etc.

Local products are those produced domestically for the purpose of sale, while imported products are those purchased and imported for the purpose of resale.

The name in the commercial register refers to the trade name registered in the commercial records, while the trade name refers to the name used by the establishment, i.e., the name displayed on the establishment’s signboard.

The respondent should first confirm the accuracy of the values. If confirmed, all values are divided by 1,000. In cases where fractional values result, they should be rounded to the nearest whole number. For example, if an establishment’s revenue is 700 Saudi Riyals, it is divided by 1,000 to yield 0.70, which is then rounded to the nearest whole number and recorded as 1.

They represent the share of e-commerce sales out of total operating revenues.