64% of Saudis prefer to work in govt sector

In this file photo, Saudis attend a job fair at the King Abdullah Economic City. A survey says 64 percent of Saudis prefer to work in the government service, which gives better pay than the private sector.

JEDDAH: A majority of Saudis, 64 percent to be precise, prefer to work in the government sector, a study conducted by the public opinion unit of Thought Manufacturing for Studies and Research Center has found.
The study, entitled “How Saudis Think,” said that only 27 percent of the citizens prefer to work in the private sector while 9 percent in non-profit charity organizations.
The preference to different sectors was attributed to the 18-35 age group. Saudis falling in the over 51 age group prefer to work in the government sector.
The survey also showed that the higher the educational qualification of individuals, the greater the preference for the private sector.
The nation-wide study showed that people from the Northern Borders preferred more government jobs, at 77.4 percent, western province at 70.2 percent while individuals in the Eastern Province preferred to work in the private sector.
Mustafa Al-Habab of the center said the survey can help the decision-makers in knowing the preference of employees across different fields in a scientific way.