Saudi Arabia’s state-of-the-art census reveals a young population

It can also help provide accurate and transparent domestic, regional, and international benchmarks, which can also be used by potential private sector investors, at home and abroad, to support the Kingdom's investment case.

International Monetary Fund analysis found that Saudi Arabia is the fastest-growing G20 economy in 2022. Unemployment rates among Saudis have fallen to historic lows — due to jobs created by the Kingdom's economic growth.  Women's participation rate in the labour market rose to about 36% in 2022, exceeding the target set by Vision 2030.

State-of-the-art stats

Such growth has been helped by a rise in the quality of data since the inception of the Kingdom's General Authority for Statistics (GAStat), especially in terms of quality and accuracy, according to its president, Fahad bin Abdullah Al-Dossari.

He pointed to GAStat's move to increase integration and partnership between government entities and develop the Kingdom's digital infrastructure. 

This enabled GAStat to follow the best international methodologies gathered from international experts, including the use of cutting-edge technology, including satellites and self-counting techniques.

Alongside integrated auditing and verification procedures, it made the 2022 census the most comprehensive and accurate in the Kingdom's history.

Before the numbers were published, over 1 million phone calls were made to check the data, alongside 900,000 additional field visits. There were also automated error-checking techniques.

GAStat also applied the highest standards in data protection and security, to keep individuals' information private.

Then, the latest methods were also used to analyse the data. It included comparisons between five different sources before the data were reviewed according to more than 200 indicators to confirm their accuracy, which reached 95%.

The depth and advanced nature of the work in 2022 led to revisions of previous population figures, which were less advanced when compiled and seen more as estimates.

The 2010 census counted the population at 24 million, making an annual growth rate of 2.5% running to 2022's 32.2 million. The number of Saudis increased from 14 million to 18.8 million, an overall increase of 4.8 million. The non-Saudi population also rose from 9.9 million to 13.4 million, an overall increase of 3.5mn. 

More surveys to follow

The initial announcement of the results of the 2022 census included detailed data on three main themes: Demographics, households, and housing.

Further results – on education, healthcare, employment, income, and immigration – will be announced over the next few months and published on a dedicated website for the census.

Data at this level of depth and accuracy will enable officials, planners, and policymakers to develop a comprehensive strategy to keep pace with the urban renaissance and meet the future needs of expected population increases.

They will contribute to the development plans and provision of more public services to the population, such as healthcare, education, mobility, and transport services, among others.

The General Authority for Statistics is the only official statistical reference for statistical data and information in the Kingdom.

It carries out all statistical work, in addition to technical supervision of the statistical sector, which includes a network of statistical centres and units established within the administrative structures of government agencies and a number of private sector institutions.

Creation of employment opportunities

Recent figures also show the creation of hundreds of thousands of jobs, which are pushing unemployment among Saudis to historic lows.

In this context, the private sector's role is highlighted along with that of many sectors on an upward trajectory in terms of growth rates and contribution to the economy.  

This includes industry, tourism, entertainment, healthcare, sports, transport and logistics, technical services, construction, and financial services.

According to estimates by the GAStat, the real GDP of Saudi Arabia increased by 3.8% during the first quarter of this year, compared to the first quarter of last year. This growth is due to the increase achieved by non-oil activities at 5.8%, the gain achieved by government services activities at 4.9%, and oil activities at 1.4%.

The strong growth of non-oil activities in the first quarter of this year reflects the ability of the Saudi economy to create investment opportunities and jobs while attracting talent and skills.

Read more: Saudi Arabia's economy broadens as public spending powers reform

These numbers – and the census data ­– confirm the feasibility of the economic and financial reforms that the country has worked on during the past years since the announcement of Vision 2030 – an ambitious, supportive, and incentivising national vision.