Census 2022 of Saudi Arabia was released recently, with 12 years of intercensal interval. Although it appeared provisional having no reports similar to the 2010 census, efforts to analyze, interpret, disseminate, and discuss were essential for building structures and systems at par with demographic trends and patterns. An analysis was carried out with this census data compared to 2004 and 2010 to track population change—demographic pace, trends, and patterns—over the two decades. Data from all three censuses were analyzed with conventional demographic techniques. A reduction in growth was observed with a declining percentage of the childhood population but with an expanding percentage of the adults (working age) indicating a demographic dividend resulted, mostly, from fertility decline. An aging trend established by the previous censuses was lost, recently: the constriction of the pyramid of 2010 was changed to a different shape. Not only the percentage distribution trends were uneven but also the age-based indices. Thus, these trends revealed a demographic difference to an extent, that demands standardized reports, uniform procedures for the data collection and compilation, and geographic distribution equations. The increasing concentration in urban centers of major administrative areas—Al-Riyadh, Makkah Al-Mokarramah, and the Eastern Region demand redistribution policies. Self-contained townships appear as a strategic option in population redistribution, guaranteeing quality standards and lifestyle.

Malaysia’s economic development strategies have evolved significantly since independence, focusing on reducing poverty, enhancing education, and integrating technology to foster sustainable growth. Despite substantial progress, challenges persist in achieving inclusive development across rural and urban sectors. This study examines the effectiveness of Malaysia’s New Economic Model (NEM) in addressing poverty and unemployment through technological and educational advancements. Employing a qualitative approach, it reviews literature on technology’s impact on economic growth, poverty alleviation, and the role of tertiary education in national development. Analysis reveals that while NEM initiatives have attracted foreign investment and improved infrastructure, gaps remain in educational access and technological self-reliance. The findings underscore the need for targeted policies that enhance educational outcomes, promote inclusive technology adoption, and address structural inequalities to achieve sustainable economic development. Recommendations include bolstering vocational training, enhancing rural infrastructure, and fostering public-private partnerships in technology innovation to ensure equitable economic progress.

Research on zakat has captured the attention of scholars since 1981, exhibiting an increasing trend in publications and citations. This trend presents an opportunity for the author to delve into zakat research. The primary aim of this study is to dissect 10 years of zakat research, spanning from 2013 to 2022, with a focus on evaluating past achievements, current research patterns, and potential future research directions. Utilising bibliometric analysis as the primary tool, this study has formulated seven research questions derived from the primary objective. Key findings indicate a consistent upward trajectory in both publication and citation rates over the past decade, with 2013 being a pivotal year. Notably, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia emerged as the top three countries actively contributing to zakat research during this period. This study further outlines eight contemporary research trends, exploring various facets of zakat over the past decade. Additionally, this study identifies four prospective areas in zakat for future scholars to explore. This study’s outcomes offer three significant contributions: 1) signalling to scholars that zakat research continues to burgeon; 2) providing inspiration and ideas for current scholars; and 3) motivating future scholars to embark on research ventures in untapped areas within the realm of zakat.

This article focuses on analyzing the achievements, challenges, and lessons learned in the process of building the Socialist Rule of Law in Vietnam after nearly 40 years of renovation, with the goal of proposing the direction of building and perfecting the Socialist Rule of Law in the new period, and ensuring its conformity with Vietnamese realities and international integration. The article draws on data from documents of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the 2013 Constitution, relevant laws and resolutions, along with data from reports on administrative reform and the promulgation of legal documents. The research methods used include document analysis, comparison, and synthesis in order to assess the reality and propose solutions to the problems identified. Alongside the achievements gained, building a Socialist Rule of Law State in Vietnam still faces many challenges. This article identifies the main orientations for constructing a Socialist Rule of Law State in Vietnam in the coming period.

This study examines innovative teaching approaches’ effect on the quality of education for prospective primary teachers. A mixed-methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques was employed. Initially, the two data sets were analyzed separately—qualitative data through thematic analysis and quantitative data through statistical methods. The themes emerging from the qualitative analysis were then cross-referenced with the quantitative findings to evaluate whether the trends supported each other. For instance, if a qualitative theme indicated that teachers felt more confident using innovative methods, this was supported by quantitative data showing improvements in teacher performance scores or student outcomes. The study had 200 participants, and the study findings revealed a significant positive impact of innovative teaching approaches on the quality of education for future primary teachers. Participants reported increased engagement, improved critical thinking, and enhanced adaptability in classroom settings. The study findings reveal that innovative approaches significantly improve the quality of education for prospective primary teachers by fostering more interactive, technology-enhanced, and student-centered learning environments. To maintain these improvements, it is essential to invest in infrastructure, provide ongoing support for teacher educators, and continuously update curricula to reflect emerging educational technologies and practices. These findings emphasize the importance of innovation in teacher training to meet the evolving demands of primary education.

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) were established in Brazil at the beginning of this century, following a global trend of using these partnerships to stimulate investment in infrastructures, particularly in a framework of restrictive budgetary and fiscal conditions. Despite their growing importance and the expectation of an expanding role in the future, not much is known about the actual facts on the ground. The objective of this paper is to be a first step in the direction of filling this information gap by providing important stylized facts about the universe of PPPs in Brazil: the quantitative evolution of PPP adoptions; the characterization of the geographical distribution of PPPs by government level (federal, state, district, and municipal); the characterization of the PPP intervention areas, including the total value of contracts and the modalities of PPP concession (sponsored and administrative). This objective is rendered possible by the development of a new database that covers the entire process of PPP contracting from 2005 to 2022, including the opening of public consultation procedures, the publication of the official notice, and the signing of contracts, as well as multiple thematic, financial, jurisdictional, and regional indicators. In turn, we see the establishment of these stylized facts as a necessary first step in the direction of understanding the factors that may determine or condition their adoption. In general, having a clear picture of the universe of the PPPs in Brazil is fundamental as their use and their role are expected to significantly increase in the future as the country pursues a path of improved economic activity and well-being of the population.