GCC Citizens' Entry Into The Kingdom Increased By 5.83% In 2024 Compared To Previous Year

In 2024, the Kingdom saw a 5.83% rise in arrivals from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizens compared to 2023, with around 8.8 million entries recorded. This figure equalled the number of departures, as detailed in the 2024 Gulf Common Market Indicators Report by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).

The report revealed that GCC students enrolled in public higher education institutions totalled 988. Meanwhile, enrolment in public general education reached 5,036. These figures highlight the active participation of GCC citizens in various educational levels within the Kingdom.

Additionally, GCC citizens have access to trade shares in 247 companies within the Kingdom. This number matches the total joint-stock companies listed on the Saudi stock market, with a combined capital of approximately SAR850 billion. This reflects the complete openness of Saudi Arabia's stock market to GCC nationals.

The report emphasised the significance of promoting free movement of goods, services, capital, and labour among GCC countries. This aligns with the GCC's goals to boost cooperation and integration across economic, social, and legislative domains.

The indicators for 2024 were derived from administrative data provided by national entities in Saudi Arabia. These include ministries such as education, health, justice, human resources and social development, along with contributions from Saudi Tadawul Group and the Saudi Central Bank.

Data Collection and Analysis

The data collection followed strict methodologies and high-quality standards to ensure reliability. This approach supports joint economic policymaking among GCC nations by providing dependable indicators.

This comprehensive analysis underscores the ongoing efforts to enhance economic collaboration within the region while ensuring that all member states benefit from shared opportunities.

With inputs from SPA