Methodology and Quality Update

Latest Update on Methodology and Quality

26/10/2026

Statistical Presentation

Data description

Early Childhood Development and Child Well-Being Statistics present data on early childhood development and child well-being in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

A statistical publication issued to present data on the following main characteristics:

• Early childhood development and child well-being: Percentage of children aged 24–59 months who are developmentally on track in health, learning, and psychosocial well-being.

Data is also used to estimate:

• Percentage of children aged 24–59 months who are developmentally on track in health, learning and psychosocial well-being, by sex and nationality.
• Percentage of children aged 24–59 months who are developmentally on track in health, learning, and psychosocial well-being by sex and age group.
• Percentage of children aged 24–59 months who are developmentally on track in health, learning, and psychosocial well-being by sex and administrative region.
• Percentage of children aged 36–59 months enrolled in an early childhood education program by sex and nationality (school year 2025–2026).
• Percentage of children aged 36–59 months enrolled in an early childhood education program by sex and administrative region (school year 2025–2026).
• Participation rate in organized learning, one year before the official primary school entry age, by sex and nationality (school year 2025–2026).
• Participation rate in organized learning, one year before the official primary school entry age, by sex and administrative region (school year 2025–2026).
• Percentage of children aged 36–59 months living in a positive and stimulating home environment for learning by sex and nationality.
• Percentage of children aged 36–59 months living in a positive and stimulating home environment for learning by sex and administrative region.
• Percentage of children under the age of five who have children’s books by sex, nationality, and number of books.
• Percentage of children under the age of five who have children’s books by sex, number of books, and administrative region.
• Percentage of children aged (5-7) years old enjoying kindergarten, by sex and nationality.
• Percentage of children aged (5–7) years old who enjoy kindergarten by sex and administrative region.
• Percentage of children aged (5-7) years old performing well in kindergarten by sex and nationality.
• Percentage of children aged (5–7) years old who perform well in kindergarten by sex and administrative region.
• Percentage of children aged (5–7) years old in kindergarten who get along well with their classmates by sex and nationality.
• Percentage of children aged (5–7) years old in kindergarten who get along well with their classmates by sex and administrative region.
• Percentage of children aged (5–7) years old who enjoy primary school by sex and nationality.
• Percentage of children aged (5–7) years old who enjoy primary school by sex and administrative region.
• Percentage of children aged (5-7) years old performing well in primary school by sex and nationality.
• Percentage of children aged (5–7) years old performing well in primary school by sex and administrative region.
• Percentage of children aged (5–7) years old enrolled in primary school who get along well with their classmates by sex and nationality.
• Percentage of children aged (5–7) years old enrolled in primary school who get along well with their classmates by sex and administrative region.
• Percentage of children aged (5–7) years old enrolled in primary school who experienced bullying at least once during the past 12 months by sex and nationality.
• Percentage of children under the age of five whose births have been registered with a civil authority, by age and sex.
• Percentage of children under five years of age who played with two or more types of playthings during the past three days, by sex and nationality.

Classifications

The following classifications are applied in the Early Childhood Development and Child Well-Being Statistics.

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

A statistical classification based on the international standard (ISO 3166_Country codes), which is a standard issued by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO of the UN), and this classification gives numeric and literal codes for the world’s (248) countries, based on the classification of countries. 

The classification is used in Early Childhood Development and Child Well-Being Statistics to code individuals’ nationality in accordance with the National Classification of Code and Nationalities. Nationality data are collected at the 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 Early Childhood Development and Child Well-being Statistics:

• Early Childhood Development Index:

It is a measurement tool used to assess the developmental progress of children in the early years of life. The index aims to provide a clear picture of children’s status across various developmental domains, such as:

• Physical growth: 

This aspect includes the child's general health, weight, height, and the development of motor skills.

• Cognitive development:

This aspect measures the child’s ability to learn, remember, solve problems, and think.

• Language development:

This aspect relates to the development of a child's language skills, both expressive and receptive.

• Social and emotional development:

This aspect measures the child's ability to interact with others, form relationships, and manage emotions.

Data sources

The main source of data for the Early Childhood Development and Child Well-Being Statistics publication is the Women and Child Health Survey.

The key variables published in the Early Childhood Development and Child Well-Being Statistics Publication are as follows:

• Sex.
• Nationality.
• Administrative region.
• 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 and the terms used in it, and the appropriateness of the response options, in addition to assessing participants’ ability to answer the questions effectively and providing suggestions regarding terms and clarifications that are unclear to participants, until a report presenting a comprehensive summary of the cognitive testing results is produced.

Statistical population

The statistical population of the Early Childhood Development and Child Well-Being Statistics publication consists of Saudi and non-Saudi children aged 0–14 years who are usual residents of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Sample design

Not applicable. As Early Childhood Development and Child Well-Being Statistics is a statistical product based on data from the Women and Child Health Survey.

Statistical unit

The statistical unit in Early Childhood Development and Child Well-being Statistics is the child.

Data collection

Survey data collection:

Data for Early Childhood Development and Child Well-Being Statistics are collected through computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI).

Data collection frequency 

Data collection is conducted on an annual basis.

Reference area

The Early Childhood Development and Child Well-Being Statistics cover the 13 administrative regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Reference period (time reference)

Reference period of the variables or dataset is as follows:

• Data on the number of household members and their demographic characteristics are based on the date of contact with the household and interviews with its members.
• Register-based source: data on enrolment in early childhood education and participation in organized learning programs are based on administrative data received from the Ministry of Education for the 2025/2026 school year.

Base period

Not applicable, as the product does not rely on calculating relative changes compared with a base year. Instead, it aims to calculate the actual status of Early Childhood Development and Child Well-Being Statistics during a specific reference period.

Measurement unit

Most results are calculated as percentages (e.g.: Percentage of children aged (5-7) years old enjoying kindergarten, by sex and nationality.

Time coverage

Data are available from 2023 to 2026.

Publication frequency

The results of the Early Childhood Development and Child Well-Being Statistics are published annually according to the approved statistical plan.

Statistical processing

Error detection

Meticulous processes were implemented to detect errors in the data collected using automated and manual methods aimed at ensuring 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 Education and Health 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 national ID number of the head of the household is requested during the household interview and linked to data from the National Information Center. 

These data are used to obtain information on names, sex, dates of birth, ages, and relationships to the head of the household, thereby improving the quality of the household’s demographic data.

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 and aggregates:

The variables are calculated using internationally recognized methodologies.

Seasonal adjustments

Not applicable, only final results will be published. 

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 

Internal users of the Early Childhood Development and Child Well-Being Statistics publication data in GASTAT:

Social statistics

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

Several external users and beneficiaries greatly benefit from the Early Childhood Development and Child Well-Being Statistics Publication data, including:

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

Key variables used by external users:

Completeness 

Early Childhood Development and Child Well-Being Statistics are based on survey data from the Women and Child Health Survey for the age group 0–14 years  and administrative data from the Ministry of Education. Data from both sources are used to calculate the indicators for the target age groups. The data for Early Childhood Development and Child Well-Being Statistics are complete and ready for indicator calculation 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 e-questionnaire of The Early Childhood Development and Child Well-being Statistics Publication 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 

The General Authority for Statistics 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 is done according to the release dates listed in the published statistical calendar for Early Childhood Development and Child Well-Being Statistics on the website of the General Authority for Statistics.

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 Early Childhood Development and Child Well-Being Statistics are geographically comparable across administrative regions within the Kingdom and internationally, in accordance with the approved methodologies and definitions of each indicator, taking into account the comparability of the target age groups.

Comparability - over time 

Early Childhood Development and Child Well-Being Statistics began in 2023 as an annual publication and are comparable over time.

Coherence- cross domain

Not applicable, as there are no linkages between Early Childhood Development and Child Well-Being Statistics and other statistics.

Coherence- annual and sub-annual statistics 

Not applicable, as Early Childhood Development and Child Well-Being Statistics are published annually, and no sub-annual publications are issued.

Coherence- national accounts 

Not applicable, as there is no linkage between Early Childhood Development and Child Well-Being Statistics and national accounts.

Coherence- internal 

The Early Childhood Development and Child Well-being Statistics Publication 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 Early Childhood Development and Child Well-being Statistics Publication on a regular basis 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.

Early Childhood Development and Child Well-Being Statistics results 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

Criteria for Early Childhood Development and Child well-Being Statistics:

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, you can refer to the attachment.

Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM)

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 are presented in appropriate tables to facilitate their summarization, understanding, interpretation, and comparison with other data, and to derive statistical inferences about the study population. Presenting data in tables also makes it easier to refer to them without having to consult the original questionnaires, which often contain certain data, such as  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

Early Childhood Development and Child Well-Being Statistics Publication have been included in the statistical calendar.

Statistical Calendar

User accessibility

One of GASTAT’s objectives is to meet its clients’ needs, so it provides them with the results immediately after the release of the Early Childhood Development and Child Well-being Statistics Publication.

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).