Methodology and Quality Update

Latest Update on Methodology and Quality

21/10/2026

Statistical Presentation

Data description

The Physical Activity Statistics report is a product conducted to collect data on the main characteristics as follows:

• Statistics on Physical Activity

Data is also used to estimates:

• Effort exerted in performing work-related physical activity.
• Engaging in work-related physical activity for at least 10 continuous minutes daily, by type of activity.
• Engaging in vigorous (intense) or moderate non-work-related physical activity for at least 10 continuous minutes daily.
• Percentage of individuals who participate in sports and physical activities weekly (at least 150 minutes per week).
• Percentage of individuals who engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, or at least 75 minutes of high-intensity physical activity per week.
• Percentage of insufficient physical activity.
• Average number of hours spent daily in sedentary behavior, excluding sleep time.
• Regular walking or cycling to and from places.
• Percentage of children and adolescents (aged 5–17 years) who engage in physical activity for 60 minutes daily, by nationality and sex
• Distribution of children and adolescents (aged 5–17 years) by average daily sedentary hours

Classifications

The following classifications are applied in the Physical Activity Statistics.

National Classification of Economic Activities (SSIC - 2018):

A national classification that aims to standardize economic activities across all sectors and at various levels of activity within the country through a unified classification and coding system that enables domestic and international comparability. This classification is based on the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities, Revision 4 (ISIC Rev. 4), adopted by the United Nations Statistical Commission, and adapted to suit the national economic environment and statistical needs.

Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations (SSCO - 2020):

A national classification based on the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO-08). It is used to classify and aggregate occupational information obtained from administrative records, censuses, and statistical surveys. Its main purpose is to standardize occupational titles and descriptions in order to harmonize the structure of occupations across all statistical sectors in the Kingdom.

Saudi Standard Classification of Educational Levels and Fields (SACED-20):

A national reference statistical classification for organizing and classifying educational programs and related qualifications according to education levels and fields of study. It is based on the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED 2011) and the ISCED Fields of Education and Training (ISCED-F 2013), issued by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).  It covers various levels and programs of education, from early childhood education through postgraduate studies.

National Code of Countries and Nationalities (NCCN – 2017):

A national guide to countries and nationalities based on the Standard Country or Area Codes for Statistical Use (M49). It provides standardized codes and names for countries and nationalities, supporting the harmonization of their coding and use for statistical purposes. In Physical Activity Statistics, this classification is used to code individuals’ nationalities in accordance with the National Guide to Countries and Nationalities. Nationality data are collected at a detailed level and then aggregated into Saudis and non-Saudis for the production and publication of statistical indicators.

Detailed data are collected through interviews to allow the production of outputs according to all relevant classifications.

The classifications are available on GASTAT’s website:  Classification 

Statistical concepts and definitions

Terms and concepts of Physical Activity Statistics:

• (Physical Activity):

Any bodily movement that expends energy, including work-related activity, transport (walking or cycling), and recreational or sports activities.

• (Occupational Physical Activity):

All physical movements performed by an individual while carrying out job tasks or household work that require physical effort.

• (Non-occupational Physical Activity):

Physical activity performed during leisure time, such as exercising or recreational walking, that is not part of work or study.

• (Moderate Physical Activity):

An activity that increases heart rate and breathing, such as brisk walking or cycling at a comfortable pace, and lasts for at least 10 minutes.

• (Vigorous/Intense Physical Activity):

An activity that significantly increases heart rate and breathing, such as running or engaging in high-intensity sports, and lasts for at least 10 minutes.

• (Sufficient Physical Activity):

Engaging in physical activity at a level that meets global recommendations: at least 150 minutes per week of moderate activity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous activity.

• (Insufficient Physical Activity):

Any level of physical activity below the minimum recommended threshold.

• (Sedentary Behavior):

Time spent in low-movement activities such as sitting, watching television, or using electronic devices, excluding sleep.

• (Children’s Physical Activity):

All physical movements performed by children aged 5–17 years, including play, sports, and walking. It is recommended that physical activity be of moderate to vigorous intensity for at least 60 minutes per day.

• (Self-report):

a process in which an individual voluntarily provides information about themselves, usually in the context of a study, health survey, or research assessment. This information includes the individual’s behaviors, daily activities, health status, opinions, or life experiences.

Data sources

Physical activity statistics data are based on two sources.

First source: The National Health Survey is the primary source of physical activity statistics data.

 The disseminated key variables of physical activity data are:

• Nationality.
• Sex.
• Age groups.
• Administrative regions.

Second source: The source of Physical Activity Statistics data is the Women and Child Health Survey:

•  Nationality.
• Sex.
• Age groups.

Designing the data collection tool

An electronic form (CAPI) was designed to ensure ease of use by field researchers. Data were collected using a questionnaire prepared and designed by specialists at GASTAT. During its design, international recommendations, standards, and definitions were taken into account, and it was also shared with relevant entities to gather their feedback and comments. The questions were formulated in a specific scientific manner to standardize the way questions are asked by field researchers.

Questionnaire test (cognitive test)

 A cognitive test was conducted on a number of questionnaire questions, with interviews carried out with a random sample of individuals. During the cognitive testing process, the following evaluation criteria were taken into consideration:  the overall concept of the question, the clarity of its wording, the clarity of the terms used in it, the appropriateness of the response options, as well as assessing participants’ ability to answer the questions effectively and their willingness to disclose their answers. This process continued until a report providing a comprehensive summary of the cognitive test results was produced.

Statistical population

The statistical population of the Physical Activity Statistics Publication consists of households, whether they are Saudi or non-Saudi, who normally reside in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Sample design

Not applicable. as physical activity statistics are a statistical product based on data from the National Health Survey and the Women and Child Health Survey. 

Statistical unit

The statistical unit in the Physical Activity Statistics is the individual.

Data collection

Survey data collection:

The Physical Activity Statistics publication derives its indicators from data collected through the National Health Survey and the Women and Child Health Survey.  Data for both surveys were collected in the field through direct contact with households/individuals, using electronic questionnaires completed through Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI).

Data collection frequency 

The data collection process for Physical activity Statistics is carried out on an annual basis.

Reference area

The Physical Activity Statistics cover 13 administrative regions in Saudi Arabia.

Reference period (time reference)

Reference period of the variables or dataset is as follows:

Data on household size and the demographic characteristics of its members are based on the date of contact with the household and the interview with its members. The reference period for the 2026 data is the date on which the household was contacted and its members interviewed during 2026.

Base period

Not applicable, as the statistical product does not rely on calculating relative changes compared with a base year. Instead, it aims to measure the actual state of physical activity statistics during a specified reference period and does not require a fixed base year for comparison.

Measurement unit

• Most results are calculated as percentages (e.g.: Percentage of physical activity).
• Some results are calculated as averages (such as: The average number of hours a person spends sedentary per day, excluding sleeping time).
• Some results are calculated as rates (such as the average number of hours per day that children under 15 years of age spend in sedentary activities, such as watching television, movies, or videos, or using a computer, tablet, or any portable electronic device). 

Time coverage

Data are available from 2024 to 2026.

Publication frequency

The results of the Physical Activity Statistics are published on an annual basis in accordance with the approved statistical plan.

Statistical processing

Error detection

Rigorous processes are carried out to detect errors in the collected data using automated and manual methods to ensure quality and accuracy.

These included the following:

• Identification of illogical or out-of-range values (such as impossible ages or contradictory data).
• Detecting missing or incomplete data and handling it according to established policies.
• Reviewing the internal consistency of the questionnaire responses to ensure data compatibility.
• Data are reviewed and matched to ensure their accuracy and precision in a way that suits their nature, with the aim of giving the presented statistics quality and accuracy.
• Data are processed and tabulated to ensure their accuracy prior to analysis.

All data are stored and uploaded to the database after being calculated by GASTAT, to be reviewed and processed by specialists in the Health and Education Statistics Department using modern technologies and software designed for this purpose.

Data integration and matching from multiple sources

In the National Health Survey and the Women and Child Health Survey, the household head’s national ID is requested during the household interview and linked to data from the National Information Center. This information is used to complete data on name, sex, date of birth, age, and relationship to the household head, 

thereby improving the quality of the household’s demographic data. To complete the physical activity indicator data for the 5–17 age group, data on individuals aged 15–17 are combined with data on children aged 5–14.

Imputation and calibration

Donor record method:

A method in which a missing value in a specific record is replaced with a value taken from another similar record within the same sample.

Steps:

• Identify records with missing values.
• Identify similar donor records based on common characteristics such as age, sex, nationality, and administrative region.
• Select a donor record either randomly or based on the closest match.
• Copy the missing value from the donor record to the target record.

Calculation of variables: 

• Imputation of missing values in target variables using donor records.
• Using the imputed variables to calculate the final indicator in accordance with the approved definition and methodology.
• Verifying the accuracy of the indicator calculation and the consistency of the results after imputation. 

Seasonal adjustments

Not applicable, as physical activity statistics data are collected and published annually and do not include short-term time series (monthly or quarterly) that are affected by seasonal variations requiring adjustment.

Adjustment of preliminary results 

Not applicable, only final results will be published.

Resources used

Quality dimensions

Suitability

A criterion indicating the extent to which the product meets users' needs.

User needs 

GASTAT's internal users of the Physical Activity Statistics data:

• Population, gender, and diversity statistics.
• Living conditions, lifestyles and justice statistics.
• Health and education statistics.

Several external users and beneficiaries who greatly rely on the Physical Activity Statistics data, including:

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

Key variables used by external users:

Completeness 

Physical activity statistics are based on survey data from two main sources: the Women and Child Health Survey, covering the 5–14 age group, and the National Health Survey, covering individuals aged 15 years and older.  Data from both sources are used to calculate physical activity indicators for the target age groups. The data for physical activity statistics are complete and ready for calculating the indicators in accordance with the approved methodology.

Accuracy and reliability 

A criterion that indicates the extent to which calculations or estimates approximate the exact or true values that reflect reality.

Accuracy overview 

• Data quality is enhanced through the selection of researchers based on a set of practical and objective criteria related to the nature of the work, as well as their qualification and training.
• Alert, prevention, and correction rules are applied during the data collection process on the electronic questionnaire for the Physical Activity Statistics to improve data quality.
• The data is examined against previous years to identify any significant changes.
• The internal consistency of the data is checked before it is finalized.
• The links between variables are checked and coherence between different data series is confirmed.

Timeliness and punctuality 

Timeliness A criterion that indicates the length of time between the availability of information and the occurrence of the event.

Punctuality It reflects the time lag between the data publication date and the target date when publication actually occurs.

Timeliness 

GASTAT is committed to applying internationally recognized standards regarding the announcement, clarification of the time of publishing statistics on its official website, as outlined in the statistical calendar, as well as adhering to the announced time of publication. In the event of any delay, updates will be provided accordingly.

Punctuality 

Publication takes place in accordance with the dates specified in the statistical calendar for Physical Activity Statistics, published on GASTAT’s 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

A criterion that refers to the necessity of internal and temporal consistency of statistics, their logical coherence, and their comparability and integration across different regions and sources.

Comparability – geographically

Statistical data on physical activity statistics are geographically comparable across administrative regions within the Kingdom and internationally, in accordance with the approved methodologies and definitions of the indicator, taking into account the comparability of the target age groups.

Comparability - over time 

The Physical Activity Statistics Publication was first published in 2024 as an annual publication and is comparable over time.

Coherence- cross domain

Not applicable, as there is no linkage between physical activity statistics and other statistics.

Coherence- annual and sub-annual statistics 

Not applicable, as physical activity statistics are published annually, and no sub-annual publications are issued.

Coherence- national accounts 

Not applicable, as there is no linkage between physical activity statistics and national accounts.

Coherence- internal 

The Physical Activity Statistics estimates have full internal coherence, as they are all based on the same corpus of microdata, and they are calculated using the same estimation methods.

Accessibility and clarity

Users’ ability to access data, the availability of microdata or aggregate data, and the availability of the Methodology and Quality Report.

News

Announcements for each publication are available in the statistical calendar, as mentioned in Section 10.1. Access to the statistical calendar and press releases can also be viewed on GASTAT’s website. 

News

Publications

GASTAT issues the Physical Activity Statistics publication regularly within a pre-prepared dissemination plan, and it is published on GASTAT’s website.  GASTAT is keen to publish its results in a manner that serves all types of users, including publications in various formats containing dissemination tables, data and indicator charts, the Methodology and Quality Report, and the questionnaires used, in both Arabic and English.

The results of the Physical Activity Statistics are available at:

Publications

Online database

The data is published on the statistical database:

Statistical database.

Microdata accessibility

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

Different types of microdata files are available to meet diverse information needs.

• Public use: 

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

• Scientific use:

These files are created based on specific methodologies at the request of the data requester to extract datasets with specific characteristics used in strategic studies, decision-making, as well as for scientific research purposes for individuals, households, and companies, while ensuring that they do not contain any direct identifiers and are subject to confidentiality protection controls.

Qualified users who meet the standards and procedures of confidentiality protection can access the files of scientific use of microdata through GASTAT's "ITAHA" platform, while the most sensitive data for use is shared by visiting the microdata lab within a secure environment managed by GASTAT.

References and standards

Physical Activity Statistics standards:

GASTAT carries out all its statistical activities in accordance with a unified methodology that is consistent with the nature of each statistical product. In doing so, it relies on the Statistical Business Process Manual, which is aligned with the procedures adopted by international organizations in coordination with the relevant entities.

For more details, please refer to the links below:

• Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM)

• Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ)

Quality assurance

GASTAT is committed to observing the following principles: Impartiality, ensuring that the statistical product is user-oriented, quality of processes and outputs, effectiveness of statistical processes, and reducing the burden on respondents. 

Data are validated through quality procedures and controls implemented at different stages of the process, such as: data entry, data collection, and other final controls.

Quality assessment

GASTAT carries out all statistical activities in accordance with the National Model (Generic Statistical Business Process Model GSBPM). During the comprehensive evaluation phase, which is the final phase of the Generic Statistical Business Process Model GSBPM, information collected at each phase or sub-process is used to prepare an evaluation report that summarizes all challenges related to the quality of each statistical process and serves as an input to improvement and development procedures.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality - Policy

According to Article 11 of the Statistics Law issued by Royal Decree No. (M/29) dated 10/02/1447 AH, the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) is committed to maintaining strict confidentiality of all data collected and using such data solely for statistical purposes.

Data processing confidentiality

Data of Physical Activity Statistics 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 in such a way that the respondent cannot be identified either directly, such as by 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

The Physical Activity Statistics are included in the statistical calendar.  

Statistical Calendar

User accessibility

One of GASTAT’s objectives is to better meet its clients' needs, so it immediately provides them with publication's results once the Physical Activity Statistics publication is published.

GASTAT also receives clients' questions and inquiries about the publication and its results through various communication channels, such as:

• GASTAT’s official website: www.stats.gov.sa
• GASTAT’s 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.
• Unified number: (199009).