Saudi Gazette report

 

RIYADH — Twenty percent of the Kingdom’s population live in Riyadh, Al-Hayat newspaper quoted the region's Deputy Emir Prince Turki Bin Abdullah as saying.



The prince, who is also the deputy head of the Urban Observatory, claimed Riyadh accounts for 20 percent of total gross national product and crimes affect one in every 100,000 residents, Al-Hayat said.



During the first forum of the Urban Observatory on Monday, the prince pointed out the observatory is an important mechanism for decision makers and for evaluating performance and directing development plans.



Statistics show that there are almost 29 divorces for every 100 marriages in Riyadh, considered the highest rate in the country.



Even though unemployment has reached 7 percent for males, that figure is expected to decline within two years to 5.5 percent according to the ninth development plan.



Other statistics show that thefts have reached 191.4 cases for every 100,000 residents, while women who are 30 and above and never married account for 3.5 percent of the total women in the 15-and-above age bracket.



Abdulaziz Al-Alsheikh, deputy head of the center, said that 21 agencies participated in the forum. He said the Central Department of Statistics and Information (CDSI) supplies the observatory with statistics and information.