Two new surveys to monitor industrial production and producer prices in Saudi Arabia
In a strategic move aimed at strengthening the economic data infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) the launch of two new economic surveys: the Industrial Production Survey and the Producer Price Index Survey. This initiative aims to provide accurate and reliable indicators to support decision-makers, investors, and researchers, and to deepen understanding of the structural transformations taking place in the industrial sector, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
Industrial Production Survey: The Pulse of the Economic Sector
The authority explained that the “Industrial Production Survey” will be conducted monthly on a selected sample of establishments operating in various industrial sectors. The survey aims to measure short-term changes in production volume, making it a vital indicator for assessing the health of the industrial sector and economic growth cycles. Its findings will contribute to enhancing the ability to predict future trends, provide essential data for national accounts, and support analytical studies with local indicators comparable at both the regional and international levels.
Producer Price Index: A Leading Indicator of Inflation
In parallel, the authority launched the Producer Price Index (PPI) survey, a key economic indicator for measuring the average change in prices of goods and services sold by domestic producers. The survey covers major sectors including mining and quarrying, manufacturing, electricity, gas and water supply, and wastewater and sewerage management activities. The importance of this index lies in its proactive role in forecasting inflation rates that will reach the end consumer, thus providing valuable insights for the Saudi Central Bank and other monetary policymakers.
Supporting the goals of Vision 2030
The launch of these two surveys is directly linked to the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, specifically the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP), which aims to transform the Kingdom into a leading industrial power. By providing accurate and up-to-date data, the performance of industrial policies can be assessed, promising investment opportunities identified, and progress in diversifying the economic base and increasing the contribution of the non-oil sector to GDP measured.
Importance on both the local and international levels
Domestically, this data will enable policymakers to make informed decisions and help businesses understand market dynamics, production costs, and future planning. Internationally, the regular publication of such indicators, in accordance with global standards, enhances the transparency and credibility of the Saudi economy, attracts foreign direct investment, and facilitates the work of credit rating agencies and international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in their assessments of the national economy. The authority confirmed that data collection will be conducted through multiple channels, including field visits, telephone interviews, and self-administered questionnaires, to ensure data accuracy and comprehensiveness.
