Regional distribution of housing types and characteristics in Saudi Arabia
International Journal of Housing Markets and Analysis
ISSN: 1753-8270
Article publication date: 15 May 2024
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore and analyze the disparities in the distribution of housing types and characteristics among households in Saudi Arabia, taking into consideration the regional perspective.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses quantitative data obtained from the General Authority for Statistics, specifically from the Saudi 2022 Statistical Census. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (percentages) as well as inferential statistics, including correlation analysis (Pearson correlation) and t-tests.
Findings
The study found a distinct preference among Saudis for villas, with 85.3% choosing this housing type, while only 14.7% of non-Saudis opted for villas. The statistical analysis confirmed the significance of housing type for Saudi citizens (t = 2.561, p = 0.037), while non-Saudis did not show a statistically significant preference (t = 1.703, p = 0.132). The Pearson correlation results revealed a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.641, p = 0.009) between regional landmass and the number of houses, and a very strong positive relationship (r = 0.984) between population and the number of houses across the 13 regions. As expected, with increasing population, there was a significant increase in the number of houses (p = 0.001).
Originality/value
This study fills a research gap by investigating regional disparities in housing characteristics in Saudi Arabia. The findings are valuable for policymakers, housing developers and the housing market in understanding these disparities. The insights from this research can inform decision-making to promote equitable access to housing types and foster social inclusivity in the housing sector.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The author sincerely acknowledge and appreciate Prof Ismaila Abubakar Rimi for his invaluable guidance, advice and mentorship, which have been instrumental in the successful completion of this research. His expertise, constructive feedback and critical analysis greatly enhanced the quality and rigor of the study. The author deeply grateful for his unwavering commitment, patience and support throughout the research process.
Citation
Dano, U.L. (2024), "Regional distribution of housing types and characteristics in Saudi Arabia", International Journal of Housing Markets and Analysis, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHMA-02-2024-0024
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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