The President of the General Authority for Statistics, Dr. Fahad bin Abdullah Aldossari, extended his congratulations to the members of the Statistical Center for the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC-Stat) on Gulf Statistics Day, which falls on Tuesday, December 24, 2024. He commended the center's role in promoting statistical work and supporting national statistical and planning agencies in the GCC countries. Dr. Aldossari emphasized the importance of precise statistical data and indicators provided by statistical agencies, which play a vital role in supporting decision-makers and policymakers to make informed decisions and build successful national development policies.
Dr. Aldossari highlighted that statistical work is one of the fundamental pillars that contribute to enhancing strategic plans in GCC countries and achieving their sustainable development goals. This is due to the accurate statistical data, information, and indicators it provides, which aid in policy formulation and the analysis of indicators to achieve shared visions.
He further explained that by developing statistical work, overcoming its challenges, and removing obstacles, it is possible to provide a wealth of accurate data and statistical indicators. These resources enable the measurement of progress toward achieving future visions and contribute to the economic and developmental integration that the GCC countries aspire to achieve.
The President of the General Authority for Statistics expressed Saudi Arabia's aspiration to strengthen Gulf statistical work and strategic cooperation across various statistical fields. He also stressed the importance of continuous coordination among GCC countries to advance their economies and build a solid economic foundation supported by high-quality statistical data and information. These resources serve as a reliable reference for making critical decisions within the GCC, aiming for greater economic prosperity and well-being for its people.
It is noteworthy that the Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), during its 141st session held in Manama, Bahrain, on November 24, 2016, approved the designation of an annual Gulf Statistics Day. The significance of this day lies in emphasizing the community's partnership with statisticians and shedding light on the vital role that statistics play in achieving sustainable development in the GCC. Furthermore, it highlights the strategic role of the Gulf statistical system in decision-making and the formulation of developmental policies in the region.
Saudi Arabia, as the first GCC country to implement a statistical system in 1349H (1930), recognized early on the importance of statistics and information as a cornerstone for building and development. This foundational approach supports any aspiring country seeking progress on solid and strong bases. The General Authority for Statistics joins other statistical agencies in the GCC in celebrating this year's Gulf Statistics Day under the theme: "The Future of Statistics Towards Sustainable Gulf Development."
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released today the 2024 Health Status Statistics Publication. According to the results, 97.4% of adults (aged 15 and above) rated their health as good or better.
The results revealed that 18.95% of adults (aged 15 and above) have a chronic disease, with the most common chronic conditions being diabetes (9.1%), hypertension (7.9%), cholesterol (3.6%), cardiovascular diseases (1.5%), and cancer (0.6%). Among children (under 15 years), 9.4% were found to have a chronic disease, with the most prevalent conditions being asthma (4.1%), allergies (2.0%), skin diseases (1.6%), hyperactivity (0.8%), autism (0.6%), diabetes (0.5%), and cancer (0.3%).
The Publication results indicated that 1.8% of adults (aged 15 and above) suffer from severe depression, with a higher prevalence among females at 2.5%, compared to 1.4% for males. Meanwhile, 0.2% of adults experience severe anxiety, with 0.4% of females affected, compared to 0.2% for males.
It is worth noting that the Health Status Statistics Publication for adults and children presents indicators based on self-reported data from the results of the 2024 National Health Survey and the 2024 Women and Child Health Survey, along with population estimates from the General Authority for Statistics for the year 2024.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released today the Tourism Establishments Statistics Publication for Q2 2024. According to the results, the total number of employees in tourism activities reached 959,175 during the second quarter of 2024, showing an increase of 5.1% compared to the same quarter in 2023. The number of Saudi employees was 245,905, accounting for 25.6% of the total. Meanwhile, the number of non-Saudi employees was 713,270, making up 74.4% of the total labor force in tourism activities.
The results revealed that the number of male employees in tourism activities reached 831,076, accounting for 86.6% of the total labor force. Meanwhile, the number of female employees in tourism activities was 128,099, making up 13.4% of the total labor force in tourism activities during the second quarter of 2024.
The results also indicated that the percentage of employees in tourism activities was 5.7% of the total labor force in the economy during the second quarter of 2024, showing a decrease of 0.2% compared to the same quarter in 2023. Additionally, the percentage of employees in tourism activities in the private sector was 8.6%, reflecting a decrease of 0.5% compared to the second quarter of 2023.
The results showed that the hotel room occupancy rate was approximately 55.4% in the second quarter of 2024, showing an increase of 0.5% compared to the same period in 2023. Furthermore, the occupancy rate for serviced apartments and other hospitality facilities reached 52.4% in the second quarter of 2024, reflecting a rise of 1.5% compared to the same quarter in 2023.
The Publication demonstrated that the average daily room rate in hotels reached approximately 725.5 SAR during the second quarter of 2024, marking a 0.4% decrease compared to the same quarter in 2023. Meanwhile, the average daily room rate for serviced apartments and other hospitality facilities stood at 254.3 SAR in the same period, reflecting a 15.2% increase from the second quarter of 2023.
The results revealed that the average length of stay for guests in hotels was approximately 5.2 nights during the second quarter of 2024, representing a 17.6% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Meanwhile, the average length of stay for guests in serviced apartments and other hospitality facilities was around 2.1 nights during the same quarter, reflecting a 10.9% decrease from the second quarter of 2023.
It is worth mentioning that the data of Tourism Establishments Statistics for the second quarter of 2024 are based on several sources to provide comprehensive information about tourism activities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These sources include administrative records, statistical surveys, and secondary data.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released the 2024 Women's Health and Reproductive Care Statistics report today. According to the report's findings, the natural birth rate in the Kingdom was 71.4%, compared to 28.1% for cesarean births in the age group of 15-49 years. Additionally, the percentage of births attended by skilled health professionals was 99.6%.
The results indicated that 99.5% of women had at least one visit to a healthcare provider before childbirth. Furthermore, 66.1% of births took place in public hospitals, while 32% occurred in private hospitals.
The report's results showed that 65% of women breastfed their newborns within the first hour of birth. Additionally, 53.2% of infants were breastfed during the day prior to the visit.
The report's results revealed that 29.9% of married women are currently using any form of family planning. Furthermore, 56% of married women of reproductive age have successfully met their family planning needs using modern methods. The percentage of women who decide independently or jointly with their husbands to use contraceptive methods is 74.9%, while 89.8% of women make decisions either independently or in collaboration with their husbands regarding healthcare.
It is worth noting that the Women's Health and Reproductive Care Statistics rely on data from the Women's and Child Health Survey, which is conducted annually by the General Authority for Statistics through a sample of women in the age group of 15-49 years.