Arab News, Sat, Mar 02, 2024 | Shaban 21, 1445
Saudi digital economy accounts for 14% of Kingdom’s GDP, new GASTAT analysis reveals
Saudi Arabia:
Saudi Arabia’s digital economy contributed
14 percent to the Kingdom’s gross domestic product, according to a
first-of-its-kind survey conducted by the General Authority for Statistics.
The study, which was carried out in 2023 and
covers the previous 12-month period, set out the areas that have seen
significant growth in this field.
The survey aligns with recommendations from the
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the UN Conference on
Trade and Development.
According to the Digital Economy Survey, nearly
half of all establishments, at 48 percent, invested in cloud computing services,
encompassing various offerings like postal services, security software
applications, file storage, and database hosting.
Information and communication activities led the
pack, with 68.3 percent of institutions in this sector purchasing cloud
services, followed by education at 66.9 percent, and professional, scientific,
and technical activities at 59.5 percent.
Around 20.3 percent of establishments provided
services via electronic applications, with education leading at 44.5 percent,
followed by accommodation and food services at 39.9 percent, and arts and
entertainment at 31.9 percent.
In terms of electronic purchases, 18.5 percent of
institutions placed orders for goods and services online, with information and
communication establishments leading at 40.1 percent. They were followed by
professional, scientific, and technical activities, as well as financial and
insurance activities, both at 35.7 percent.
Moreover, 60.1 percent of institutions utilized
internet-connected devices or systems, encompassing smart alarm systems, meters,
lamps, and surveillance cameras.
Health and social work activities establishments
were the highest users at 67.4 percent, followed by financial and insurance
activities, and education activities, each at 65.2 percent.
The survey aims to provide a database for
conducting studies and developing indicators about the digital economy sector in
Saudi Arabia. It serves as a reliable basis for research and provides
decision-makers with valuable data for local, regional, and international
comparisons.