RIYADH — The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) has announced that the preliminary data of the ‘Saudi Census 2022’ will be published before the end of 2022.

GASTAT completed on Thursday the first phase of its data collection for the Saudi 2022 Census and the beginning of the data analysis and processing phase, in which data quality is analyzed and confirmed.

GASTAT explained that the data analysis and processing phase went through many statistical procedures, according to the methodologies used, to ensure the quality and accuracy of data. These procedures include field work and communication with heads of households and providing the self-enumeration link to a limited group of citizens and residents to confirm and complete the data. GASTAT asked everyone to cooperate with census interviewers during this phase.

The authority said fines would be slapped on anyone who refused to provide data or deliberately disrupted the census work. As per the General Statistics Law issued by Royal Decree No. 23 on 7/12/1397 AH, notices were issued to violators in the previous phase.

The authority commended the cooperation of citizens and residents with the interviewers during their visits. It appreciated their interaction during the various phases of the Census, especially self-enumeration, which was popular with the public. GASTAT also appreciated the staff working on the Saudi Census 2022 project, who performed their tasks effectively.

This is the fifth census in the history of the Kingdom. It aims to cover the entire population, collecting accurate statistical data that will assist in formulating policies, preparing plans, and directing projects based on the people's needs in all regions of the Kingdom. — SPA