RIYADH — Dr. Fahad Aldossari, president of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), refuted the controversial figures regarding the results of the Saudi Census 2022, compared to population estimates of previous years, especially the 2015 census, which estimated at that time the number of Saudis at approximately 20 million. "In these results, we used the latest technology to be the most accurate and correct among all previous statistics," he said. The authority explained that the change that occurred due to a shortage was among non-Saudis, since reliance on their number is linked to the economic environment and events such as the coronavirus pandemic. Aldossari also stressed the transparency of the census, especially the investor wants to see the census based on the best standards. "This is the case why we relied on the best experts in addition to what is new at this stage of the technological progress used, in which the Kingdom is distinguished among the countries of the world." "Despite the controversy, the Saudi Census 2022 will provide a statistical database that forms a reliable basis for drafting economic and social policies, and support decision-makers in formulating development plans for various sectors, as well as providing the private sector and local and international investors with accurate data to encourage the investment environment in the Kingdom." He emphasized that the release of such comprehensive and accurate census data is a testament to improvements in international methodologies and data-capture technology, such as satellites and self-enumeration technology, as well as to the coordination between government agencies and excellent digital infrastructure. These results reflect accuracies not just for 2022, but for the preceding years as well, thanks to back-casting capabilities, he pointed out. According to the figures of the Saudi Census 2022, the total population in the Kingdom has reached 32.2 million, and Saudis constitute 58.4 percent of them, with a total number of 18.8 million. The results of the census showed that the Saudi society is a young society, as the average age of the population is 29 years, and for Saudis, the average age is 25.5 years, and the percentage of Saudis under 30 years old is 63 percent of the total number of Saudis.
